Official BYC Poll: How often do you change your chickens' water in hot weather?

[BYC Project Manager]

Keeping our feathered friends hydrated is crucial, especially during the sweltering summer months. As temperatures rise, ensuring your chickens have access to fresh, clean water becomes even more important. We're curious about your routine: how often do you change your chickens' water when the weather heats up?

Also share your practices and see how others in the chicken-keeping community keep their flocks cool and hydrated in the comments section below.

Further Reading:

• Keeping Your Chickens Cool In Summer
• A Simple Way To Keep Chickens Cool In Summer
• Coop Health: Designing & Maintaining A Healthy Coop

(Check out more exciting Official BYC Polls HERE!)

 

[21hens-incharge]

A very timely poll!

I keep a flock of 29 right now. Of course it can vary depending on losses and additions.

I use multiple open water dishes that hold a gallon each. I dump and refill 2 times a day year round actually. In winter I carry out warm water in the morning and again when I get home from work at 3 pm.
In summer it's easier since I can use the hose.
I scrub the dishes every Saturday to keep the chances of bacteria or slime down.

Of course summer brings treats from the garden of cabbage, swiss chard, cantaloupe, tomatoes, bell peppers and watermelon. It's not a daily treat but they certainly enjoy it.

 

[MACCanadianCoop]

I have a 3 gallon waterer that I top up as necessary. I only dump it completely and refill when it get grungy inside. Same applies in winter and in summer.

 

[RubelliteRose]

We use several rubber feed pans as water bowls. I change out the water every night and add more during the day if the level is low. We keep the water in the shade during the summer so it does not get too hot.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Multiple open buckets spread thru out property in shade. And changed out multiple times (at least 3-4 times daily)

But I have ducks... So, yea.

 

[K0k0shka]

I don’t change it any more often than usual (when it gets low) just to keep it cool. I dump ice in it instead, to cool it down.

 

[Devyn Nagy]

I don’t change it any more often than usual (when it gets low) just to keep it cool. I dump ice in it instead, to cool it down.

Same.

 

[Shabby Chic-Hens]

I give them water when I see they have none. But usually we have at least three different water sources that are always available. And the hens free-range in summer. So it’s all good.

 

[EddieSalita]

Check it every day with the egg collection. I have two smaller drinkers I swap each day when its hot. I also have a larger heavier drinker as a backup for really hot weather just in case the small one fails, gets knocked over etc.... the big one goes a week before it looks dirty. They will never drink it all in a week. When it's 40-45 c they won't make it through the day without water. So it's best to have insurance.

 

[BantyChooks]

Voted for “whenever it looks low”. Bear in mind that I keep chickens in a fairly cool climate and so I have never had to worry about many issues that plague chicken keepers of the south.