For two to four chickens, a drinker tower of 1 to 3 litres is enough. A laying hen drinks on average around 200 to 300 millilitres a day, so a small flock usually gets more than a day out of a 3-litre tower, depending on the weather. This selection contains the small drinkers from Gaun.
The sizes in this selection
- 1 litre: the green Gaun drinker tower, handy for two hens, chicks or as an extra drinking spot in the run.
- 1.5 litres: in lime green, standalone or on legs.
- 3 litres: also standalone or on legs; the most popular size for four chickens.
With or without legs?
A drinker on legs stands a few centimetres off the ground. Chickens then kick less bedding and sand into it, and the water stays clear for longer. You can put a model without legs on a tile or stone for the same effect. For chicks, a low drinker is actually handier, because otherwise they cannot reach the rim.
How your flock adds up
Allow a good 300 millilitres per chicken on a warm day. Four chickens then use just over a litre. A 3-litre tower gives you a buffer if you refresh a day later, but fresh water every day remains the advice, especially in summer when algae grow quickly. Rather choose the larger size within this range: you notice a drinker that runs dry in lower egg production.
Points to note
Small towers are light and are easily knocked over when the water level is low. Place them level and out of bright sun. In frost they freeze quickly.
If you keep more chickens, see drinkers from 5 litres. For winter there are frost-free drinkers. All models together are in chicken drinkers.
Frequently asked questions
How many litres of water do 3 chickens drink per day?
Count on about 0.6 to 0.9 litres in normal weather; more in the heat. A 1.5 or 3 litre drinker is then plenty for a day.
How do I clean a small drinker tower?
Unscrew the reservoir from the base, rinse both with warm water and a brush and let them dry. Do this at least weekly, more often in summer.
Can I also use these drinkers for chicks?
The models without legs are low enough. For very young chicks, put a few pebbles in the base so they cannot fall into the water.