The Beginner's Guide to Raising Chickens: How to Raise a Happy Backyard Flock (Raising Chickens Guide) The Beginner's Guide to Raising Chickens: How to Raise a Happy Backyard Flock (Raising Chickens Guide) Paperback Kindle Audible Audiobook Hardcover Spiral-bound Audio CD
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It is very important to make sure your birds have access to clean, fresh water all day long. (They don’t wake up and drink overnight.) Dirty water harbors and spreads disease. You can provide water in any sort of plastic, glass, ceramic, stainless steel, or other nonrusting container that’s not too deep. Don’t put water in any container that can rust. You can also buy waterers and drinkers made for chickens. There are a myriad of designs and options.
WINTER WATERERS
If you live in a cold climate, freezing water can be a major concern. Here are some tips to help keep your waterers from freezing. For best results, use some of these tips in combination, especially if you don’t have access to electricity outside:
Don’t leave waterers out overnight (remember, chickens don’t need a drink in the middle of the night). Refill them during the day, starting with warm water.
Use a larger black plastic tub, like a cement-mixing tub, or a rubber tub. Black absorbs heat, and a larger surface area will also help keep water from freezing.
Don’t use metal bowls. Metal cools very fast and doesn’t retain heat.
Buy a heated water bowl. You’ll need access to electricity for this.
Place the waterer on top of some cement pavers in a sunny spot. The cement will absorb and radiate heat.
Borrow tips from the gardening world and use a modified cold frame or greenhouse around the waterer to retain solar heat.
Build some sort of insulation or cozy around your waterer.