A 10 or 20 litre drinker tower is the usual choice for a flock of five chickens or more; with 40 litres, you can bridge several days with a large flock. This selection contains the Gaun drinkers from 5 litres: plastic towers and buckets in plastic and galvanised steel.
The range by capacity
| Capacity | Version |
|---|---|
| 5 litres | Drinker tower in lime green, standalone or on legs |
| 6 litres | Plastic drinking bucket, red or lime green |
| 10 litres | Drinker tower on legs, also as Bio version, or standalone |
| 12 litres | Galvanised steel drinking bucket |
| 20 and 40 litres | Large drinker tower for bigger flocks |
How big should you go?
A laying hen drinks on average 200 to 300 millilitres a day, and clearly more on hot days. Ten chickens can easily use two to three litres. A 10-litre tower then lasts a few days, but water that stands in the sun for days gets warm and green. So choose the capacity based on how often you refresh: if you visit the coop daily, a smaller reservoir is enough; if you often skip a day, take more buffer. With large flocks, two drinkers in different places work better than one big one, because hens lower in the pecking order can then also drink in peace.
Plastic or galvanised
Plastic is light, does not rust and is easy to clean. Galvanised steel is heavier and more stable, but do not add cider vinegar or other acidic products to it: acid attacks the zinc coating.
Note
A full 20 or 40 litre tower is heavy to lift. Put it in a fixed spot that you can reach with a watering can or hose.
For small flocks there are drinkers up to 3 litres. In winter, heated drinkers help. The whole range is in all chicken drinkers.
Frequently asked questions
Which drinker tower for 10 chickens?
A 10-litre tower is a good starting point: enough for a few days in normal weather. Do refresh the water regularly, especially in summer.
What is the difference between a drinker tower and a drinking bucket?
A drinker tower automatically refills the base from the reservoir above it. A drinking bucket is an open container or bucket that you fill yourself; simpler, but the water gets dirty faster.
Is a 40-litre drinker handy for a hobby flock?
Only if you have a lot of chickens or are away for a few days. With a small flock, the water stands still for too long.