Poultry Nipple Drinker heated

This 3 gallon, thermostatically-controlled poultry nipple drinker is my preferred drinker for my chickens.

Water is the driving force of all nature -Leonardo da Vinci  

Chickens cannot be healthy if they are drinking dirty water. A poultry nipple drinker is the best way to deliver consistently clean water to chickens of all ages. 

Why Water is Critically Important to Chickens

For Metabolism

“Water is involved in every aspect of poultry metabolism. It plays important roles in regulating body temperature, digesting food, and eliminating body wastes. At normal temperatures, poultry consume at least twice as much water as feed. When heat stress occurs, water consumption will double or quadruple.”

The Essential Nutrient

“Water is often taken for granted, and yet it is probably the most essential nutrient. Water is by far the single greatest constituent of the body, and, in general, represents about 70% of total body weight. Access to water is very important, and a lack of water for several hours will probably cause a decline in egg production. Hens are more sensitive to a lack of water than a lack of feed.”

Chick Nipple Drinker

Chick poultry nipple drinkers keep the brooder dry and the water clean 100% of the time!

 

Amount of Water Needed

“Water and food consumption rates are interdependent, so reduced water intake can also lead to reduced food intake. There are other factors that affect water intake, with temperature being the most obvious one. For example, chickens drink between 30-50% more water when the environmental temperature is above 32oC compared with when it is 21oC. Water intake is also affected by the type of drinkers used. The rule of thumb for water intake is that water intake is usually 1.5 to 2 times feed intake.”

 

For Digestion

“Water in the crop softens the feed so that digestion can occur. Without the water, dry feed forms clumps in the crop that can press on the bird’s carotid artery, decreasing blood flow to the brain. This can cause paralysis and possible death. Poultry anatomy complicates matters. A split in the upper hard palate of the beak allows air into the nasal passages and prevents the chicken from forming a vacuum in its mouth. Hens, therefore, rely on gravity to draw water into the crop.”

Why Water is Critically Important to Chickens

As my flock has grown in size and number, so have the number and size of waterers I have tried. Small, 1 or 2 gallon, opaque waterers allow sunlight to pass through, which causes algae and biofilm growth and they require filling frequently. Not convenient, and slimy water does not support chicken health.

For Egg Production

An egg consists of approximately 75% water and without access to a regular, clean supply of water, a hen will be physically unable to produce eggs.

With baby chicks, I find that raising the waterer up from the floor with a block of wood or cookie tin keeps the water cleaner longer. They will eventually learn to climb on top of the waterer and a large, upside-down funnel works to discourage that behavior.

Keeping water liquid during freezing temperatures is a major challenge that must be met as chickens’ feed consumption increases in the cold and they require water to digest it. I made several cookie tin water heaters, for less than $10 each, which work well in a pinch, but the heated, 3 gallon poultry nipple drinker is my preferred water delivery method, by far.

cookie tin water heater

Kathy Shea Mormino

Affectionately known internationally as The Chicken Chick®, Kathy Shea Mormino shares a fun-loving, informative style to raising backyard chickens. …Read on

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Poultry Nipple Drinker heated

This 3 gallon, thermostatically-controlled poultry nipple drinker is my preferred drinker for my chickens.

Water is the driving force of all nature -Leonardo da Vinci  

Chickens cannot be healthy if they are drinking dirty water. A poultry nipple drinker is the best way to deliver consistently clean water to chickens of all ages. 

Why Water is Critically Important to Chickens

For Metabolism

“Water is involved in every aspect of poultry metabolism. It plays important roles in regulating body temperature, digesting food, and eliminating body wastes. At normal temperatures, poultry consume at least twice as much water as feed. When heat stress occurs, water consumption will double or quadruple.”

The Essential Nutrient

“Water is often taken for granted, and yet it is probably the most essential nutrient. Water is by far the single greatest constituent of the body, and, in general, represents about 70% of total body weight. Access to water is very important, and a lack of water for several hours will probably cause a decline in egg production. Hens are more sensitive to a lack of water than a lack of feed.”

Chick Nipple Drinker

Chick poultry nipple drinkers keep the brooder dry and the water clean 100% of the time!

 

Amount of Water Needed

“Water and food consumption rates are interdependent, so reduced water intake can also lead to reduced food intake. There are other factors that affect water intake, with temperature being the most obvious one. For example, chickens drink between 30-50% more water when the environmental temperature is above 32oC compared with when it is 21oC. Water intake is also affected by the type of drinkers used. The rule of thumb for water intake is that water intake is usually 1.5 to 2 times feed intake.”

 

For Digestion

“Water in the crop softens the feed so that digestion can occur. Without the water, dry feed forms clumps in the crop that can press on the bird’s carotid artery, decreasing blood flow to the brain. This can cause paralysis and possible death. Poultry anatomy complicates matters. A split in the upper hard palate of the beak allows air into the nasal passages and prevents the chicken from forming a vacuum in its mouth. Hens, therefore, rely on gravity to draw water into the crop.”

Why Water is Critically Important to Chickens

As my flock has grown in size and number, so have the number and size of waterers I have tried. Small, 1 or 2 gallon, opaque waterers allow sunlight to pass through, which causes algae and biofilm growth and they require filling frequently. Not convenient, and slimy water does not support chicken health.

For Egg Production

An egg consists of approximately 75% water and without access to a regular, clean supply of water, a hen will be physically unable to produce eggs.

With baby chicks, I find that raising the waterer up from the floor with a block of wood or cookie tin keeps the water cleaner longer. They will eventually learn to climb on top of the waterer and a large, upside-down funnel works to discourage that behavior.

Keeping water liquid during freezing temperatures is a major challenge that must be met as chickens’ feed consumption increases in the cold and they require water to digest it. I made several cookie tin water heaters, for less than $10 each, which work well in a pinch, but the heated, 3 gallon poultry nipple drinker is my preferred water delivery method, by far.

cookie tin water heater
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Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

Pretty sure this waterer will be on Wish List for the hens!!
hardyhens14@yahoo.com

Rick
11 years ago

You never stop amazing me with all the info you give me. I thought I knew alot about my chickens but every time I look at your blogs I learn something new. Thank you so much. Keep up the awesome work.

Kathy Mormino, the Chicken Chick™
Reply to  Rick
11 years ago

Thanks Rick. I appreciate that. :)

ChickenGal
11 years ago

I also heard they are attracted to running water and a friend made a small waterfall/pond for her chicks to drink from. Nothing too deep, because they may fall in and drown, but enough that they could drink from the falling water or the pond area. She just uses the hose to fill it when necesary, and flushes it when it gerts dirty.

Kathy Mormino, the Chicken Chick
Reply to  ChickenGal
11 years ago

What a great idea! I'd love a chicken waterfall and pond! (Hmm…might need some ducks then too!).

Kathy Mormino, the Chicken Chick
11 years ago

That is an outstanding question, one I have no answer to, however. I read once that a chicken's water supply is only as clean as the dirtiest source available. It's not just your chickens, believe me!

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

Why is it I provide fresh clean water for the girls, but they prefer to drink out of the dogs water bucket or even puddles?? Can't figure that one out….

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