When chickens drink extra water throughout sizzling climate, new rooster keepers typically turn into alarmed and fear that one thing is incorrect. However elevated water consumption throughout summer time is completely regular. It is without doubt one of the methods chickens hold cool.
The water consumption of chickens varies for a lot of different causes moreover sizzling climate. A few of these elements embody weight loss program, age, and intercourse.
When chickens drink extra
- Their weight loss program is excessive in fiber
- They’re consuming extra (as in chilly climate)
- Electrolytes are added to the water
- They’re laying hens
When chickens drink much less
- Their weight loss program is excessive in vitality
- They’re consuming much less (as when sick or injured)
- The water is contaminated or in any other case tastes dangerous
- They’re roosters
Regular* water use per 25 chickens
4 weeks outdated | 2 quarts |
8 weeks outdated | 4 quarts |
12 weeks outdated | 6 quarts |
non laying hens | 5 quarts |
laying hens | 5-7 quarts |
roosters | 3½ quarts |
*Approximate
Factoids about water consumption
Water temperature impacts consumption. A rooster will drink extra if the water is cool in summer time and heat in winter.
Chickens drink probably the most after they get up within the morning, and simply earlier than they go to roost at night time.
Chickens drink extra as they grow old, however their water consumption truly decreases as a proportion of physique weight.
Extra about chickens and water
How Chickens Hold Themselves Cool in Summer time
7 Methods to Assist Your Chickens Keep Cool in Summer time
How A lot Water Does a Rooster Drink?
And that’s immediately’s information from the Cackle Coop.
Gail Damerow is the writer of Storey’s Information to Elevating Chickens. Picture by tawatchai07 on Freepik.