DIY Chicken Waterer and Feeder from 5-gallon Buckets
on Oct 12, 2017, Updated Aug 21, 2024
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Spring is in the air, so it’s time to start preparing for backyard chickens! I will tell you everything you have ever wanted to know about Chicken Waterers and feeders and how to DIY your own from a 5-gallon bucket.
Providing animals with water to drink seems like a no-brainer, but there are many factors that go into watering chickens. For instance, how much water do chickens need, what type/material of waterer is best, how to keep the water clean, and how to DIY a simple and cost-efficient chicken waterer.
Appropriate access to clean water drastically influences how healthy a chicken is and how well it produces. If a chicken does not have ample water, they will stop laying eggs! Water also aids in the digestive process and helps a chicken eliminate waste.
When sufficiently hydrated, chickens can more effectively regulate their body temperature. A chicken that drinks clean, cool water also has a healthy brain. This will keep the animal in tip-top shape and its mind sharper to watch for predators.
And if they’re well-hydrated, they’ll keep laying those beautiful eggs for delicious meals like an egg and potato casserole, perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Table of Contents
How Much Water Chickens Drink Per Day
It doesn’t seem like chickens drink much water because they just take small sips throughout the day. However, on average, a single chicken will drink about 1 pint of water daily. They will drink more if the temperature is hot.
Cool and Fresh Water, Please!
They also like cool, fresh water. If the water has been sitting out in the sun too long, hasn’t been refreshed regularly, or starts to get dirty from the chicken’s own doing, they may stop drinking. You don’t want a chicken that isn’t drinking, so remedy the issue quickly.
The process of chickens drinking water is fun to watch. Chickens use their tongue to push food to the back of their mouth to be swallowed, but that method doesn’t work for drinking.
If a chicken wants to drink water you will see them dip their beak into the water and rapidly tilt their head back to let the water drip down their throat. So you can imagine they can’t drink a whole bunch of water at once.
Tips for Keeping Chicken Water Fresh and Clean
Keeping the water you feed your chickens clean is essential.
- You should refresh their water daily to prevent bacteria buildup and algae forming.
- Sanitize the waterer at least weekly. Clean it with dish soap, a brush, or a diluted bleach solution.
- Place the water containers in shaded areas to prevent overheating and algae growth.
- Elevate the water containers off the ground to prevent dirt and droppings from getting into the water.
Project FAQs
Chickens typically do not need water at night. They sleep on their roosts until morning.
You want to place your waterers without direct sunlight to keep the water as cool as possible.
I plan for one large waterer per 6-8 chickens. Remember that each chicken will drink about 1 pint daily, so plan accordingly.
The general rule is that if it is safe enough for you to drink, your chickens can also drink it.
You will want to remedy the situation quickly if a chicken is dehydrated. When a chicken isn’t getting enough water, its egg-laying will slow down or stop completely. It will become lethargic, and you may notice it panting or having a pale comb.
DIY Chicken Waterer and Feeder From 5-Gallon Buckets
Chicken waterers can come in various shapes, sizes, and dollar amounts and can be constructed from various materials. In my experience, you don’t need to break the bank to provide water for chickens. Your chickens will thrive if they have clean, fresh water and lots of it.
We have used this DIY version for chicken waterers for years and have found great success.
Materials Needed for Chicken Feeder and Waterer
- Two 5-gallon buckets with lids
- Drill
- 1-inch standard drill bit or paddle drill bit
- Two large foil roasting pans
Where to Get Materials
Buckets: Find a free source for the buckets. They are everywhere, really! Just ask your local sandwich shop to save you a few that the pickles come in. Bakeries are also a good source for free buckets.
Pans: Pick them up at the dollar store for a few bucks, or get these large feed pans.
How to Make the DIY Chicken Feeder
- Clean and empty a bucket
- Drill 1-inch holes around the bottom edge, spacing the holes about 2 inches apart.
- Place the bucket inside the pan, right-side-up (holes in the pan), and then fill it with chicken feed. The feed will pour through the holes into the pan, and as the chicken eats, more will come out.
- Replace the lid to the bucket so the chickens can’t get to the food from the top. Easy!
How to Make the DIY Chicken Waterer
- Clean and empty the 5-gallon bucket.
- Along the bottom edge of the bucket, drill two 1-inch holes opposite of each other.
- Place the bucket inside the pan, right-side-up (holes in the pan), and then fill it with water.
- Replace the lid and make sure that it has an airtight seal.
This seal is key!! The water will stop coming out of the holes once the water covers the holes completely if the lid is airtight.
If there isn’t a good seal, the water will keep running out of the bucket and overflow the pan. It’s a hydrodynamics thing—just ask my water engineer husband; he’d gladly explain it to you!
How to Make a DIY Chicken Feeder and Waterer – Picture Tutorial
Sometimes life on the farm can be much simpler than we think, and this DIY chicken waterer and feeder from 5-gallon buckets is the perfect example. An easy and cheap way to provide an effective and reliable feed and watering system for your chickens.
If you’ve been bitten by the DIY spirit, you might try your hand at building a chicken coop for the little egg factory in your backyard. I believe happy chickens make more eggs!
Update: October 2017
I have been using these same buckets as a DIY chicken waterer and feeder for over 4 years, though I have upgraded from the foil turkey roaster pans. Those pans lasted about 6 weeks, but I was in it for the long haul.
I picked up some large (about 16 inches wide and 4 inches deep) round metal pans from our hardware store to replace the pans in these pictures. Similar pans are available on Amazon.
They cost me less than $10 each and have lasted 4 years. So for $20 total, instead of $2, I have a large feeder and waterer that I’ve used for years. They work great and I still highly recommend making these.
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I had this same idea in the feed store when I saw their buckets and gamma lids were BPA free. All the waterers I buy leak. I only drilled one hole at the base, but it keeps flowing out even far under the water line. We even sealed the gamma ring with silicone but it didn’t help. Is the second, opposite hole key to preventing that? Or am I doing something wrong?
The bucket must not be airtight, that will cause it to keep leaking or your holes are higher than what the water is going into, they should be submerged in water.
Yes, someone needed this information because I have chickens now and I have five gallon buckets that need to be used up! Thanks for the help!
I needed it so thank you so much for posting! I’m for sure making these!
Love this idea. Easy enough for me to do. Just gotta buy a drill. Been having struggles with wasted food. This will help . Thanks alot. And love the water idea. I’m in Florida use a kids pool also for my chickens to walk in. It gets so hot. The chickens are funny in the pool. Thanks for sharing
it’s now 2022, how are these holding up? have you made any additional changes?
2023. LOL
We transferred all chicken duties to my daughter who sells the eggs and she doesn’t like to flip the buckets over, so we only use them when we are going on vacation now… work just fine.
Just wondering how long the food and water will last. Put me and my family into that “someday” filing cabinet. We are building a house and land and are toying with the idea of chickens. We do camp a few times a year so we would need a system for the chicken while away, like an automatic door for the coop/run. But assuming your suggestion of 1 unit per 6 chickens, how long might that last between refills? Thanks and your post has at least reached that “one” someone!
That’s a lot of water for 6 chickens, I think we used it for about 15 and it lasted 4-5 days.
Problem solved here by:
(1) Drilling two 1-inch holes opposite each other about 2 inches above bottom of 5-gallon plastic bucket.
(2) Clean debris out of bucket.
(3) Screw top of bucket on securely.
(4) Turn bucket upside-down.
(5) Fill bucket with water using a funnel or small water hose.
(6) Quickly turn bucket right-side-up and place it into roasting pan or round, flat bowl that is deeper than the holes in the sides of the bucket.
(7) Repeat procedure every other day to keep water fresh and clean.
Hi Mellisa! Love all your food they look yummy I love to cook and love to learn more Ideas about chickens have backyard chicken too I need to learn how to make the 5 gallon water bucket.
Love all your food they look yummy I love to cook and love to learn more Ideas about chickens have backyard chicken too
Hello Melissa
I am Claudelle and live in South Africa. I’ve been researching low-cost farming ideas and I’ve decided on egg production. I don’t have much money and find it a blessing that you just taught me how to make a feeder and waterer.
Thanks and keep doing what you’re doing you are reaching people far and wide.
Kind regards from South Africa
Claudelle
I wish you much success. My daughter sells eggs and does well, I hope that you find it to be profitable as well!