Uploaded April 2019 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
I share my design for an automatic waterer for supplying water for chickens without any work - no more having to fill up thee chickens'water supply every few days.
It’s based on the same principle as a cattle trough or toilet cistern, providing a continuously replenishing supply of water whenever some gets used.
It’s connected to a large plastic tank, which feeds the chickens’ water tray by gravity, controlled by a float mechanism. When the water level is low, the water flows in, and when the ball floats high enough to close off the valve, the water flow stops.
The water tray is enclosed in a box, to minimise the amount of dirt and rubbish that might blow into the water. And the whole thing is raised off the floor of the chicken run on a pallet, for the same reason.
Now I’m convinced that it’s important for chickens’ health that their water is fresh and clean, and that means that it’s important to keep the water tray clean too. A problem with most automatic water supplies is that there is no provision for cleaning the bowl that the chickens drink from, and the water and bowl can end up being very dirty or contaminated with algae, especially if, like ours, your water supply is not chlorinated. So this waterer is designed for easy cleaning. The tap at the main tank can be used to turn off the flow of water. Then the tray can be completely removed, emptied, and easily washed. Put the tray back, turn the tap back to the On position, and the tray refills automatically, until it’s full again.
For more fascinating facts, hints and tips about caring for your chickens, and the sheer pleasure of chickens, subscribe to my channel: Chickens in my garden - New Zealand
youtube.com/c/Chickensinmygarden
Catch up with me on Facebook facebook.com/chickensinmygarden
I share my design for an automatic waterer for supplying water for chickens without any work - no more having to fill up thee chickens'water supply every few days.
It’s based on the same principle as a cattle trough or toilet cistern, providing a continuously replenishing supply of water whenever some gets used.
It’s connected to a large plastic tank, which feeds the chickens’ water tray by gravity, controlled by a float mechanism. When the water level is low, the water flows in, and when the ball floats high enough to close off the valve, the water flow stops.
The water tray is enclosed in a box, to minimise the amount of dirt and rubbish that might blow into the water. And the whole thing is raised off the floor of the chicken run on a pallet, for the same reason.
Now I’m convinced that it’s important for chickens’ health that their water is fresh and clean, and that means that it’s important to keep the water tray clean too. A problem with most automatic water supplies is that there is no provision for cleaning the bowl that the chickens drink from, and the water and bowl can end up being very dirty or contaminated with algae, especially if, like ours, your water supply is not chlorinated. So this waterer is designed for easy cleaning. The tap at the main tank can be used to turn off the flow of water. Then the tray can be completely removed, emptied, and easily washed. Put the tray back, turn the tap back to the On position, and the tray refills automatically, until it’s full again.
For more fascinating facts, hints and tips about caring for your chickens, and the sheer pleasure of chickens, subscribe to my channel: Chickens in my garden - New Zealand
youtube.com/c/Chickensinmygarden
Catch up with me on Facebook facebook.com/chickensinmygarden
