Having a reliable watering system is crucial for keeping chickens healthy and hydrated. However many backyard chicken-keepers struggle with traditional watering methods like bowls or pans that easily get dirty, tip over, and require frequent refilling.
A well-designed watering system saves time on daily chores and ensures your flock always has access to clean water. In this article I’ll explain how to build an automatic chicken coop watering system that is easy to maintain and provides consistent hydration for your chickens.
Why Invest in an Automatic Watering System
Chickens need water available at all times to stay healthy. Without a dependable water source, they can suffer from issues like:
- Reduced egg production
- Poor feather quality
- Increased risk of illness
A good watering system takes the hassle out of daily care. Instead of constantly refilling and scrubbing traditional water containers, an automated setup keeps water clean and topped-off for longer. This saves you time while ensuring your chickens stay hydrated.
The right design also keeps water sanitary by preventing chickens from stepping in it or kicking debris into it. This reduces the chances of bacteria growth and disease transmission between birds.
For chicken-keepers, a reliable watering system means:
- Less daily maintenance
- Fewer worries about water availability
- Improved flock health
So if you’re tired of frequent refills and dirty chicken water, it’s time to build a better watering system.
Planning Your Watering System
Before starting construction, take time to plan your system. Here are some key factors to consider:
Size your system for your flock: Provide at least one watering station for every 5-6 chickens. More is better to reduce crowding.
Choose a location: Pick an area of the run or coop that is convenient for the birds to access.
Select watering cups: Look for cups that stay 75% full so chickens can drink easily without spillage.
Include a reservoir: This stores and dispenses water to reduce refills. A 20-30 gallon container is ideal for most flocks.
Prevent freezing: If you live in a cold climate, plan to heat or insulate parts of the system to avoid freezing in winter.
Gather the Right Materials
Building your automated watering system will require some basic plumbing parts and supplies. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Water cups – 1 per every 5-6 chickens
- 1⁄2” PVC pipes and connectors
- Zip ties or velcro to secure the pipes
- 20+ gallon plastic reservoir bin
- Bulkhead fitting and valve
- Lumber for reservoir stand
- Insulation/heating supplies (for cold climates)
Before starting, gather all materials and ensure you have the right quantities for your specific setup.
How to Build the System
With your design planned out and materials on hand, you’re ready to build your automated chicken watering system:
Step 1: Assemble the Main PVC Pipe Line
- Cut segments of 1⁄2” PVC pipe to span the interior of your chicken run.
- Use PVC T-connectors to join pipe segments.
- Insert a PVC “cup connector” every 2 feet along the line.
- Test the assembly by laying it flat on the ground.
Step 2: Add Supports
- Place a PVC T-connector with a 12” vertical pipe at 2 foot intervals along the line to provide support.
- Cap the bottom of the support pipes to prevent debris buildup.
Step 3: Mount the Piping to the Run
- Use zip ties or velcro straps to firmly secure the piping to the chicken wire fencing, using the vertical support pipes for attachment.
Step 4: Set the Correct Height
- Hang the water line about 12-15” off the ground – the ideal height for most chickens to easily drink from the cups.
Step 5: Install the Water Reservoir
- Drill a 1⁄2” hole near the bottom of a 20-30 gallon plastic bin.
- Attach a bulkhead fitting and valve. This will connect to the main water line.
- Build a wooden reservoir stand 24-30” tall.
- Place the reservoir on the stand and secure with bungee cords.
- Run a short length of 1⁄2” PVC pipe from the bulkhead valve through the chicken wire and connect it to the main water line.
Step 6: Add Freezing Protection (Cold Climates)
- Insulate the reservoir and pipes with foam or other waterproof insulation.
- Install a thermostatically controlled heating cable or pads designed for plumbing systems.
Step 7: Test the System
- Open the reservoir valve and allow water to flow into the cups.
- Check for any leaks and make sure each cup is filling properly.
- Make any final adjustments to get everything working smoothly.
Caring for Your Watering System
A proper maintenance routine is important to keep your watering system working reliably for years. Here are a few tips:
- Check daily that all cups are filling and the reservoir level is adequate.
- Rinse cups and wipe down pipes weekly to prevent algae buildup.
- Fully clean the reservoir monthly or when it empties.
- In winter, routinely check that heated elements are functioning if installed.
- Monitor for leaks and drips and tighten any connections as needed.
Building your own automatic chicken coop watering system takes a bit of planning and effort up front but saves so much time over traditional methods. Investing in this automated setup will provide your flock with a constant supply of clean water and make your daily chicken care much easier.
It can move with your coop
If you have a movable coop or chicken tractor like we do, a huge benefit of this homemade chicken waterer is that is can actually move with your coop. We mounted our 5-gallon plastic bucket on the back wall of the coop and secured it with bungee cords. And the pvc and cups are mounted to 2x4s on the sides of the coop.
We used to keep a regular chicken waterer inside the chicken coop and move it in and out every time we moved the tractor, which got to be a hassle after awhile. Having the water system move with the coop is a huge benefit of this design if you have a movable coop or tractor.
Step 2: Determine placement
You’ll want to determine the placement of your water holding tank (which is a 5-gallon bucket in our case) and where the cup waterers will be.
Note: The important part is to not fight gravity. Place the bucket higher in elevation than where the cup waterers will be for optimal water flow.
We decided to place our waterers on either side of the chicken tractor so that the chickens wouldn’t crowd all in the same place. This also helped to spread their manure out better.
When you’ve determined the locations for the bucket and waterers, prepare those areas to be able to mount your pvc pipe for the waterers and the bucket.
For the bucket, we used some old Ikea brackets we had laying around and installed those on some vertical 2x2s screwed to the back frame of the chicken tractor. It was important to make sure that it was spaced such that the bucket would be supported, but also leave enough room underneath for the plumbing to pass through easily.
To hold the bucket in place, we simply used 2 bungee straps to be sure it wouldn’t fall off. We also made sure we had some nailer boards on the inside of the tractor that our pipe straps will be screwed to, holding the pvc pipe securely in place.
The BEST Water System for Chickens!
FAQ
How long does a 5 gallon bucket of water last for chickens?
A 5-gallon bucket of water can last a flock of chickens anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the number of chickens and the environmental conditions. A single chicken might drink about a pint of water per day, according to Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, so a 5-gallon bucket (40 pints) could last one chicken for up to 40 days. However, factors like temperature, activity levels, and the presence of other water sources can affect consumption.
What is the best way to water chickens in a coop?
I keep a small waterer inside my large, shed-style chicken coop on the nesting boxes. I’ve found this is especially true at bedtime. Chickens will go into the coop, find a comfortable roosting place, then notice the waterer on the nesting boxes. They’ll hop over, drink some, and then go back to their roosting position.
Should chicken waterer be inside or outside the coop?
Waterers should never be inside the coop. Always outside in the run. Moisture inside the coop is a chickens worst enemy in the winter.
How do you keep a chicken waterer from freezing without electricity?
Use insulated buckets or waterers designed to retain heat for longer periods. Wrap your existing water container in bubble wrap, foam insulation, or even an old blanket to slow down freezing.
How do you water a chicken coop?
Run your hose from the water source to the male adapter on the drum. Secure with a hose clamp. Install chicken nipple plugs along PVC pipe inside the coop. Run PVC through the side of the drum. Place the drum on blocks to create gravity flow from the drum to the nipple plugs. Get ready to see the success of your new chicken watering system.
Do chicken coops need a Waterer?
Chickens tend to make a big mess. The automatic waterer, while convenient, can get dirty with chicken coop very quickly. The cups in this DIY waterer don’t get dirty as easily. You don’t need continuous running water. Last summer we ran water out to our coop, but before then we had to carry water out to our flock.
How to water a chicken with a float valve?
By using a float valve and some basic plumbing supplies, you can build an effective automatic watering system for your chicken. The water is collected in rain barrels and supplied to the water system through a regular garden hose. 6. DIY Mesh Chicken Watering System
How do you set up a chicken coop?
Set the Correct Height Measure from the ground to just below your chickens’ heads (usually 12 to 18 inches for standard breeds). Position the main line at this height. Confirm that all chickens can reach the cups comfortably. Prepare and connect the water reservoir to supply the main line.
Can you build a chicken waterer from a 55 gallon drum?
Building Your Own Year-Round Chicken Watering System Building an automatic chicken waterer from a 55-gallon drum is a great idea for any chicken coop. This system will provide your chickens with a constant source of fresh water all year round. In this DIY guide, we’ll show you how to easily convert a rain barrel or oth
How to set up a chicken water system?
Position the main line at this height. Confirm that all chickens can reach the cups comfortably. Prepare and connect the water reservoir to supply the main line. This will provide the chickens with a steady water supply and reduce how often you need to refill the system. 1. Prepare and Modify the Reservoir