Rural Living Today

Best Chicken Egg Incubators – The chicken or the egg, which came first?

Well, both answers seem to be off the mark, because it all starts with an incubator!

Yes, the importance of this heated environment in the hatching process should never be underestimated.

Modern-day incubators come in all shapes and sizes, and the abundance of options can be overwhelming at times.

For that reason, we listed the best chicken egg incubators on the current market, together with a comprehensive buyer’s guide.

Best Chicken Egg Incubators Reviews

So, let’s dive deeper into the warm world of chicken eggs.

VIVOHOME Mini Digital Egg Incubator

To kick off our list of the top-rated best chicken egg incubators, we decided to start with a small model.

As the word “mini” suggests, the VIVOHOME Digital Egg Incubator is a compact and lightweight life-giving gadget.

As such, this device is an excellent choice for science teachers or parents who want their kids to learn about the egg hatching process.

Nurturing and taking care of the chicks is a great way for children to develop responsibility and love for animals, after all.

So, let’s see how this tiny incubator behaves in action.

The VIVOHOME Mini Incubator is suitable for any species, which means that you can incubate the eggs from ducks, pigeons, or quails.

Depending on the size of the eggs, you will be able to place from nine to 12 eggs in the incubator.

Adjustable dividers can also help with positioning and placement of the eggs.

Nonetheless, the essential component of this model is the LED display, which provides real-time data.

By using the commands on the control panel, users can adjust the temperature inside the incubator.

When it comes to temperature, VIVOHOME Mini Digital Incubator offers a decent range.

Even so, it’s best to keep the temperature around 38 degrees Celsius.

In order to provide eggs with even heat, this incubator will automatically rotate the eggs at regular intervals.

Automatic egg turning is a valuable feature, and few incubators in this budget range can offer this possibility.

Another notable characteristic of this model is the ease of assembly.

The components of the incubator are also sturdy and easy to clean, which makes this unit a convenient option for small commercial farmers.

What’s to Like About VIVOHOME Mini Digital Egg Incubator

The VIVOHOME Mini Digital Incubator is affordable and budget-friendly.

As such, this model does not come with a bunch of high-end features.

Nevertheless, this incubator is attractive and eye-catching.

For instance, the bright LED display is a noteworthy addition.

Likewise, automatic egg turning is a feature that removes the need for constant involvement in the hatching process.

On the other hand, the VIVOHOME Mini Digital Incubator is far from being a perfect chicken egg incubator.

For example, you have to open the lid to add water, which is an annoying element.

Also, this model does not include a humidity gauge; you will either have to buy a separate one or rely on experience.

We also noticed that the inside temperature fluctuates without any apparent reason.

So, consider buying a third-party thermostat if the pre-set one starts giving you a headache.

• Affordable
• Lightweight
• Automatic egg turning
• LED display
• No humidity sensor
• Occasional temperature spikes
• Small capacity

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KEMANNER Seven-Egg Digital Incubator

The second entry is also a compact and portable digital incubator.

With the ability to hatch seven chicken eggs, the KEMANNER Digital Incubator is a typical household unit.

However, this is only one of the available variations of this incubator.

To be precise, you can also buy larger KEMANNER models, which can incubate 48 or even 56 eggs.

If you need an incubator for educational purposes, or if you are an aspiring farmer, the seven-egg model from KEMANNER will do the job.

The distinguishing feature of this incubator is the dome-shaped transparent cover on the top, which provides users with 360-view, allowing you to keep an eye on the hatching process from all sides.

Likewise, the size of this chicken egg incubator will probably catch your attention.

The exact dimensions of this device are 6.8 by 6.2 inches, and it weighs only 1.25 pounds.

As a result, users can move the incubator around without any problems.

The KEMANNER Seven-Egg Digital Incubator has a small footprint, which means that you can easily place it in the corner of your kitchen counter.

When it comes to functionality, it is necessary to say that this incubator comes with digital temperature controls.

Also, it uses 20W of power, which is fantastic if you are energy-conscious.

What’s to Like About KEMANNER Digital Incubator

The simplistic design of this incubator is one of its most significant features.

In essence, the convenience and usability of this model are at a high level; even small children could operate this incubator, as well.

Of course, the fan-assisted airflow is a nice touch, too.

However, the effortless viewing of the eggs is the primary reason why the KEMANNER Seven-Egg Digital Incubator earns top marks for convenience.

The lack of automatic rotation is a considerable downside of this model.

This means that you will have to turn the eggs manually, which is a time-consuming activity.

Also, many users complain that the KEMANNER Digital Incubator produces an irritating beeping noise every time the humidity drops below the recommended limit.

Unfortunately, these fluctuations seem to be a frequent occurrence.

• Portable and compact
• Clear viewing window
• Fan-assisted airflow
• Energy-efficient
• Capacity
• No automatic turning
• Annoying alarm sound

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Magicfly Digital Egg Incubator

If you need a decent-sized egg incubator, the next model we’ll feature might be your cup of tea.

The Magicfly Digital Egg Incubator is a reliable device that can incubate up to 24 chicken eggs at once.

Even though it features a minimalist design, this incubator is easy to recognize.

So, let’s take an in-depth look into the notable characteristics of the Magicfly Digital Egg Incubator.

With the help of this spacious model, you can start incubating chickens, geese, or ducks.

An LED display will allow you to control the temperature; plus, an inconspicuous egg turner will rotate the eggs automatically.

When it comes to temperature, this hatcher offers an impressive range; you can set the temperature anywhere from 30 to 40 degrees Celsius.

All the while, the automatic turner will rotate the eggs.

If anything goes wrong, an alarm sound will inform the users of a potential problem.

After all, chicken eggs are delicate when it comes to heat/cold and humidity.

Also, the sides of this digital incubator are transparent; thus, you can easily monitor the situation without opening the lid or disrupting the hatching process.

The body of the Magicfly Digital Egg Incubator is made of durable but healthy plastic.

Users can clean the containers with ease, and the assembly of this incubator is straightforward, as well.

Magicfly Digital Incubator Pros and Cons

As you can see, the Magicfly Digital Egg Incubator offers excellent value for money.

It comes equipped with automatic temperature control as well as auto-rotation of the eggs.

The capacity of this model is suitable for all purposes, too.

The Magicfly Digital Egg Incubator lets you hatch up to 24 chicken eggs simultaneously.

Therefore, this model seems like a perfect choice for poultry farmers.

When it comes to downsides, the Magicfly Incubator does not have many weak spots., though the lack of a humidity gauge is the most noticeable drawback of this model.

After all, humidity is a vital factor in the hatching process.

Also, the price of this model may deter some people.

Nonetheless, you get what you pay for, as the old proverb says.

• Automatic egg turner
• Automatic temperature control
• Egg capacity
• Side-windows for excellent visibility
• Pricey
• No humidity sensor
• Bulky

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OppsDecor Intelligent Egg Incubator

In case you need a premium-quality egg incubator, look no further than the fantastic OppsDecor model.

Believe it or not, this high-end model will allow you to hatch as many as 48 chicken eggs.

Yet, when it comes to what the OppsDecor Intelligent Egg Incubator can offer, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

A wide range of features makes this device a perfect fit for commercial use.

At the same time, intuitive controls will allow beginners to get the grasp of the hatching process, as well.

First of all, the capacity of this unit deserves a lot of praise.

A few household incubators can hold 48 chicken eggs at once, and that is why poultry farmers should consider splashing the cash on this model.

What’s more, the OppsDecor Egg Incubator comes with automatic temperature control as well as a fully automatic egg turning system.

The incubator will rotate the eggs every two hours, removing the need for human intervention.

The convenience of this model is also visible in the design of the LED control panel.

The display will provide users with a bunch of useful and relevant information.

For instance, you will be able to check the temperature, humidity level, hatching days, and so on.

A polycarbonate lid covers the top of the OppsDecor Intelligent Egg Incubator, and the sides of the unit are translucent, which allows users to keep an eye on the eggs at all times.

Also, the OppsDecor incubator comes equipped with a built-in fan and a warning system.

This ensures that the ventilation will disperse the heat evenly throughout the hatching area.

If the humidity drops below the recommended level, the alarm bells will go off and warn you about the danger.

To avoid these issues, add water through the small hole every two or three days.

What is to Like and Dislike About the OppsDecor Egg Incubator

The OppsDecor Intelligent Egg Incubator is a fantastic device, and there are many positive aspects to this model.

To name a few, we could mention the automatic temperature control or the auto egg rotation.

Also, the quiet fan is a neat little trick that will distribute the heat and warm all the eggs during the incubation.

Well, the capacity of the OppsDecor Intelligent Egg Incubator is both a blessing and a curse.

The weight of this unit exceeds 10 pounds, which could be problematic for some users.

Also, the alarm system may be frustrating at times.

Then again, the warning system is the necessary evil, so all you can do is try to be patient for the duration of the incubation process.

• Large capacity
• Automatic temperature control
• Informational LED display
• Built-in fan
• Expensive
• Hefty (10.3 pounds)

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TAIMIKO Automatic Egg Incubator

Last but not least, we will explore the features of the TAIMIKO Automatic Egg Incubator.

The design of this model is sleek and modern, but there is more than meets the eye with TAIMIKO.

For instance, this portable egg incubator will let you hatch 10 chicken eggs with a high success rate.

A range of features makes the TAIMIKO one of the best on the market, so let’s take a closer look at the elements that make this model so attractive and appealing.

As the name implies, the TAIMIKO Automatic Egg Incubator offers automatic temperature control.

In other words, the computer does all the work related to thermal management; all you need to do is place the eggs inside and close the lid.

When it comes to the cover, the round shape of this incubator allows perfect visibility from all sides.

On top of that, the TAIMIKO Automatic Egg Incubator comes equipped with an automatic egg turner.

Every two hours, this system will rotate the eggs, increasing the chances of successful hatching.

To disperse the heat all over the incubation area, this model uses a big fan, but even so, the fan does not produce a lot of noise.

As such, you can keep this chicken egg incubator indoors without any problems.

The convenient LED display on the front of the unit will let you control every aspect of the incubation process.

TAIMIKO Automatic Egg Incubator Pros and Cons

Without a doubt, the stylish aesthetic is the best asset of this incubator, but its functionality is at a high level, as well.

Automatic temperature control is a noteworthy feature, and the same applies to the ventilation system.

Of course, the automatic egg rotation provides a hassle-free hatching process and is a nice feature, too.

The capacity of the TAIMIKO incubator might be too small for some farmers.

At the same time, the price of this unit is on the higher end of the spectrum.

The lack of a humidity gauge may cause inconvenience to some users, too.

If anything, you will have to consider buying an extra humidity sensor to keep the eggs in perfect condition.

• Sleek design
• Low noise
• High hatching rate
• Intuitive thermal management
• Auto egg turner
• No humidity sensor
• Small water container
• No warning system

Best Chicken Egg Incubator Buyer’s Guide

As you can see, chicken egg incubators can offer a wide array of features.

For that reason, it can be tricky to choose the appropriate model.

To avoid those costly mistakes, we decided to share with you the essential elements of an egg incubator.

By going through this buyer’s guide, you will learn all there is to know about buying an incubator for your needs and preferences.

That said, you should be able to make an informed decision and buy the best egg incubator out there.

Humidity and Temperature

When it comes to the hatching process, humidity and temperature are the two crucial factors. As such, they demand special attention.

The recommended temperature for chicken eggs is around 38 degrees Celsius.

On the other hand, humidity depends on the duration of the hatching process.

As a rule of thumb, the best results come from keeping the moisture at 65% to 70%.

Your best bet is to buy a chicken egg incubator that features automatic temperature control.

Likewise, we recommend buying a device that comes equipped with humidity pumps.

Of course, high-end incubators also come with fancy bells and whistles, such as warning lights and alarm sounds.

Viewing Window

If your idea of the fun-filled evening includes staring at a bunch of chicken eggs, you’re in for a treat.

By choosing the best egg incubators out there, you will surely get the opportunity to observe the incubation process.

As dull as this may sound, there is a reason why farmers like to have a viewing window installed on the incubator.

First of all, transparent covers are convenient because you don’t have to open the lid to check on the eggs.

The second reason is the miracle of birth, and a viewing window gives you front row seats to this awe-inspiring moment.

So, buy a model with a window; your kids will thank you for it!

Chicken Egg Incubators Capacity

The purpose of the incubator has a direct impact on the size of the unit.

This means that a school teacher will need a smaller device than a poultry farmer.

In translation, the capacity is another word for the number of eggs that the incubator can handle simultaneously.

At the moment, the best egg incubators offer a range of options when it comes to capacity.

To be precise, you can buy models that hold only a handful of eggs or go for pro incubators that can hatch hundreds or even thousands of chicken eggs.

Egg Turner

In nature, hens will move around and rotate the eggs every once in a while.

For that reason, it is necessary to turn the eggs in an incubator every two or three hours.

Obviously, this can be a time-consuming and tedious process.

For that reason, we recommend going for a model that features an automatic egg turner.

Manual turning requires more involvement in the hatching process.

With automatic rotation, the system will turn the eggs on its own, without your interference.

On some models, you can even set the schedule for the rotation.

Size

The size of the incubator is in close relation to the capacity.

Even so, both of these factors depend on the purpose of the hatcher in the first place.

When it comes to size, the goal is to have a portable and lightweight incubator.

The bigger the unit, the harder it will be to move around.

Likewise, you should always consider storage space.

If you are living in a small apartment, a massive incubator will take up a lot of space.

Therefore, look for a compact and lightweight unit.

By doing so, the hatching process will turn into an enjoyable and fun activity.

Ease of Assembly and Cleaning

Speaking of fun, ease of use will also contribute to the overall enjoyment levels.

In other words, pay attention to the quality of materials when buying a new chicken egg incubator.

As a rule of thumb, a well-designed device will be easy to assemble.

At the same time, such incubators are easy to clean and remain in good shape.

Moreover, you will find premium incubators that are dishwasher-friendly, so pay attention to this element, as well.

Chicken Egg Incubators FAQs

1. How do you use an egg incubator?

The concept of a chicken egg incubator is pretty straightforward.

Just place the eggs inside, raise the temperature and humidity to the recommended level, and watch the magic unfold.

In other words, the chicken egg incubators will replicate the heat provided by the hens.

The best ones also come with extra features that can improve the hatching success rate.

2. Will eggs still hatch if they get cold?

One of the essential factors during the hatching process is temperature; you must keep the eggs in a warm and humid environment at all times.

If the eggs get too cold, the embryonic development could be disrupted.

In translation, the chicken will not develop, and you can discard the damaged egg.

3. What temperature will kill chicken eggs?

The recommended temperature for the hatching process is 38 degrees Celsius.

Of course, small fluctuations are acceptable, as long as the temperature spikes are not drastic.

However, any temperature below 27 degrees Celsius will kill the eggs.

Also, if the temperature rises above 41 degrees, the embryo will not develop.

4. How do you incubate chicken eggs?

When it comes to the hatching process, chicken eggs spend 21 days in the incubation chamber.

Nonetheless, humidity and temperature can affect the operation and change the duration of the process.

Either way, you should place clean and healthy-looking eggs into the incubator.

Make sure to add water into the reservoir to provide moisture to the eggs.

5. What happens if humidity is too high in an incubator?

As we said, the humidity is crucial in the incubation process.

The appropriate humidity levels will depend on the stage of embryonic development.

If the embryo is older, it will be more tolerant of spikes in humidity.

Nonetheless, the primary side-effect of extreme moisture is a late hatch.

Our Recommendation of the Best Chicken Egg Incubators

The quality of your chicken egg incubator is of the highest importance, and you should make sure to buy the appropriate device.

If you ask us, we think that the OppsDecor Intelligent Egg Incubator is the best chicken egg incubators on the market.

Impressive capacity and stylish design are just some of the characteristics of this chicken egg incubator.

From everything we’ve seen, this model offers the best value for money, too.

Last Updated on February 22nd, 2020

What to Feed Baby Chickens After Hatching – Much like any newborn, baby chickens require special attention, but especially when they’ve just hatched. 

You could say that they need “egg-cellent” nutrition to give them the best possible start in life. 

They need to have strong defenses and armed and ready to begin their journey from a baby hatchling to a fully feathered chicken.

Baby chicks undergo rapid development and transformation during those formative days, weeks, and months. 

Thus, you need to really understand what to feed baby chickens after hatching if you want them to stand a chance of surviving and thriving.

The Basic Needs of Chicks

Bringing baby chicks into the world is an exciting and rewarding time. 

There are three key things any baby chick requires for survival: warmth, water, and feed.

In that respect, they’re similar to human newborns. 

You might even want to give them the occasional cuddle too!

Giving your chicks a solid start in life will put them in good stead for happy and healthy adult life. 

And as we like to say, happy hens lay happy eggs, and we all like a bit of sunshine in our lives.

If you want your chick to transition seamlessly into a flock, then you need to start by providing them with the care, comfort, and nutrition they need even before they hatch.

Setting Up a Brooder

As mentioned, even before your chicks have hatched, you need to be preparing their environment so that the conditions are perfect for their arrival. 

Here are some things to keep in mind:

When to Set Up

We recommend that you set up your brooder 48 hours in advance. 

That way, there’s ample time for any equipment or bedding that you’ve installed to be set to the optimum temperature to keep those hatchlings warm and safe. 

The Equipment Needed

We’re basically recommending the following essential items: a brooder, a heat lamp, some bedding, lights, feeders, and waterers.

Best Chicken Egg Incubators

Brooder

The brooder is the very first home of your chicks. 

It should be warm and dry, draft-free, and comfortable. 

Ideally, it needs to be three to four square feet per chick. 

We also suggest making the brooder expandable and keeping it circular.

Heat Lamp

Next, you need to assemble your heat lamp in one corner of the brooder so that your bird is kept nice and warm. 

It is best to position the heat lamp about 20 inches above the litter.

We also recommend that you station it about three feet away from the actual guard walls. 

In terms of optimum temperature, for comfort sake, the area under the heat lamp should be 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

We’d also advise that you leave some space for your chicks to get away from the heater if they start to feel too hot. 

Over the following weeks, the temperature can be reduced by five degrees Fahrenheit until it finally reaches a minimum of 55 degrees.

Bedding

You also must put down proper bedding. 

We recommend absorbent wood shavings for the floor of your brooder. 

Ideally, make these three to four inches deep and ensure that you maintain the area by keeping it dry and odor-free.

Any wet bedding should be removed daily and replaced, especially if it’s close to your waterer. 

We advise against the use of material such as cedar shaving because it can have a strong and unpleasant odor that could also affect the long term health of the bird.

Lights

In the first week, to aid with growth and development, lighting should be supplied for as long as 22 hours a day and certainly no less than 18. 

You can reduce the light gradually to just 16 hours throughout the rest of the growing period. 

In terms of the strength of light required, a 40-watt bulb per 100 square feet of floor space is advisable.

Feeders

Depending upon how many chicks you’re hatching and what size brooder you have, will determine the number of feeders you would need. 

As a general rule of thumb, you’ll need to accommodate four linear inches of feeder space per bird. 

It’s not necessary to invest in anything too fancy. 

Just something simple like a clean egg carton will do an excellent job.

Filled with food, they’re easily accessible and ideal for young chicks. 

For the follow-up stage in their development, you should consider providing access to low-lying feeders or a trough feeder to transition them through to maturity. 

Best Chicken Feeder to Prevent Waste

Waterers

We’ll go on shortly to discuss the importance of water. It’s nothing short of essential. 

For every 25 chicks you have, you should fill two one-quart waterers full of room temperature water and, for now, position them inside the brooder.

For the water to be at room temperature, put the waterers inside the brooder 24 hours before the scheduled arrival of your chicks.

You may also opt to purchase the best chicken water heater, which can help provide your chicken water with the right temperature during the colder months.

What to Feed Baby Chickens After Hatching

From down to feathers, a tiny little peep to a hearty cluck cluck, a baby chick is on a rapid and exciting journey the minute it’s hatched. 

The most important physical transformation, though, takes place from the day they come into the world, for about the next eight weeks. 

By that time, they should already have reached three-quarters of what will be their adult weight. 

Hence, you must provide them with the essential nutrition they need to grow and set them off abundantly on the road ahead.

Water

You won’t be surprised to learn that the first thing a baby chick needs is abundant access to fresh, clean water. 

Safe to say that water plays a vital role in any baby chicks wellbeing, supporting all of its essential bodily functions. 

That’s particularly true during the early stages of development.

That is because there’s so much going on inside a chick’s little body.

Both chicks, as well as adult, fully mature chickens, consume approximately double water to physical feed. 

A lack of adequate water supply can have a severely detrimental effect on a young chick’s health and wellbeing. 

It’s critical then that you introduce your chicks to the brooding area as soon as they arrive and ensure that room temperate water is immediately on hand.

Chicks need to hydrate quickly, but you can leave it a few hours before you introduce them to feed.

How to Introduce

Your chicks must master the art of drinking and rehydrating their tiny bodies with fresh, quality water before they consume any food. 

You could try gently dipping their beaks into the water to coax them along and also help to familiarize them with where their water source is.

Strong, healthy chicks will naturally teach other chicks in your brooder how to drink. 

However, make sure that you are monitoring them all closely during those crucial first few hours to make sure no-one is missing out on drinking.

Feeds

Once your chicks are rehydrated, it’s time to introduce the essential nutrients and minerals they require for survival. 

There are plenty of excellent commercial options available, or you could make your own feed.

Can Chickens Have Strawberries: Some Fruity Ideas for Your Flock

Commercially Made

Similar to us humans, those young, recently hatched baby chicks also need a rich and balanced source of carbohydrates, fats, and minerals to support their growth. 

If you’re worried about what to feed baby chickens after hatching, don’t be! 

It’s really not rocket science but rather just good common sense.

If you’re at all concerned about getting it right, you can rely upon commercial chick starter mix. 

It’s been specially formulated to contain the perfect blend of minerals, proteins, nutrients, carbohydrates, and fats to support a baby chick’s growth and development.

Once your chick is ready to start pecking at food, you have plenty of options, with many commercial brands selling chick starter products. 

Typically, chicks need a nutritionally balanced chick starter mix up until they’re about eight weeks old.

These days, many of the big brands have follow-on products.

They’re easy to administer and will take your chick up to the point they’re ready to lay eggs themselves. 

These grower mixes provide them with the nutrition they require to lay a healthy and bountiful egg supply.

Home-Made Chick Food

If you don’t want to go down the commercial feed route, you can create your mix at home. 

A fantastic alternative that you can easily prepare at home and which baby chicks just love requires just two staple ingredients. 

All you need are eggs and oatmeal.

Baby chicks can thrive and grow on this mix. 

To prepare your feed, simply hard boil a couple of eggs, mash them up thoroughly, then mix with some oatmeal.

If you’re the kind of person who loves organic, this is a great alternative to commercial feed.

How to Introduce

Place their feed onto something like a simple square of paper or a clean egg flat. 

On the second day, you can progress and add the feed to the feeders positioned around your brooder. 

Once the chicks have mastered the art of feeding this way, you can go ahead and remove the papers or egg flats.

Reminder

Keep their food fresh. Empty, clean, and refill their waterers and feeders, at least once daily. 

As the chicks grow in size, you’re also going to need to raise the level of where your feeder is so that they’re level with the birds’ backs.

Protein-Rich Food

As soon as a baby chick is born, their anatomy starts to develop. 

Protein is a vital nutrient that a hungry, developing chick needs to support growth. 

It helps stimulate and support the growth of muscle and tissue as well as internal organs

It’s an essential building block and can be found naturally in worms.

As such, feel free to offer up a supply of fresh worms to satisfy the hunger and protein requirement of your chicks. 

Worms are abundantly found throughout the spring and summer months and are nature’s own home supplied source of fresh protein.

Treats

While their digestive system is still underdeveloped, you should be careful about what treats you give them as you don’t want to upset their delicate digestive system. 

Chop up some hard-boiled eggs along with sweetcorn to make a tasty and nutritious treat that they can easily digest.

Something like lettuce, hanging from the side of the brooder, is also a good option. 

It provides restless and inquisitive baby chicks with hours of fun and pecking practice!

Is It Okay to Offer Your Baby Chicks Grit?

A question that frequently pops up on forums is “Do recently hatched chicks need grit?“. 

The short answer is, it depends on what else they’re eating.

If you have baby chicks that are only eating a starter mix, they probably don’t need grit just yet. 

On the contrary, if they’re now at the stage where you’re adding in a range of supplemental food, such as scraps from your kitchen, then a bit of added grit will aid their digestive system.

Grit is just as it sounds; they’re little pieces of sand, stone, or earth from your local environment. 

If you are lucky enough to live in a nice temperate climate where your happy chicks wander around outside all day long, then they’ll naturally peck at grit, so you probably don’t have to worry. 

If not and they’re couped up for large parts of the day, make sure that you put out a source of grit as it really does help with digestion.

Raising baby chicks can be incredibly rewarding

Raising baby chicks can be incredibly rewarding and it’s wonderful to see them hatch and grow.

The sound of their little peeps and cheeps is adorable and good sign that your chicks aren’t just surviving, but thriving.

Remember to encourage your chicks to drink plenty of water.

Hatching can be an exhausting process and their little bodies need to rehydrate.

Don’t panic if they seem a little listless during the early days. They’re probably just tired.

Just make sure they always have access to a fresh supply of water and be sure to monitor them carefully to check they’re actually drinking.

Chicks quickly grow at an almost alarming rate, especially during the first few weeks so it’s important to get them started on a properly balanced chick food like a commercial or homemade starter feed.

As chicks mature, remember that their nutritional needs will change.

From 18 weeks onward, it’s time to adjust their feed to meet with their evolving nutritional needs.

Don’t be tempted either to save any leftover starter feed for the next time you plan hatching baby chicks.

It has a tendency to get moldy and take on bacteria that could kill them.

Last Updated on February 22nd, 2020

Can Chickens Have Strawberries – Many people keep chickens as pets, and the fresh eggs produced daily are something of a bonus.

Whether you’re keeping chickens as pets, or solely as egg producers, it’s essential to understand their diet better so that they stay healthy and happy.

If you’ve been wondering what to do with all of those cut-off strawberry tops, then you may ask “Can chickens have strawberries?”.

Let’s find out more about the do’s and don’ts of feeding scraps to chickens, as well as whether strawberries are good for them.

Can Chickens Have Strawberries?

When you’re deciding what to feed your chicken, it’s important to understand that chicken digests food differently from humans.

They also have smaller stomachs in relation to their size, but like humans, they do need a balanced diet in order to stay healthy.

And of course, we all want a healthy and happy flock that produces delicious eggs daily, right?

Chickens absolutely love strawberries, so the answer is yes, yes, and yes!

Recommended Daily Consumption

You should, however, limit their daily consumption of sugary snacks, such as strawberries, to a maximum of 10% of their total diet.

Their digestive systems don’t have the metabolic ability to process more sugar than this, so overfeeding them sugary treats will eventually lead to an unhealthy chook.

Warning on the Calyx

It would help if you also were more wary of giving them strawberry calyxes, which is the green bit on the top, from shop-bought strawberries due to pesticides it may be contaminated with.

Strawberries featured very high, number four in fact, on a list of the most pesticide-contaminated food items in 2015.

Birds are susceptible to pesticides and are more susceptible than most to health problems brought on by pesticides.

If you eat an egg from a sick bird, then you will get sick.

If your chickens are eating the calyxes of store-bought strawberries, then you’ll need to limit their amounts to avoid diarrhea.

You can also wash or soak them first to try to remove the bulk of the contaminants, or better yet, buy organic or grow them yourself.

In most farm animals, including chickens, diarrhea without immediate treatment often leads to death, so you should avoid causing it at all costs.

Strawberry as a Treat

Chickens love almost all fruits and vegetables, and many people choose to keep a flock to help recycle their family waste of peels and leftovers.

You can also use treats, such as strawberries, to help gain your flock’s love and trust.

Regularly hand feeding them these treats will also help you tame your chooks.

Before long, they’ll answer your call and come running to you to see what treats you have in store for them.

Food Your Chickens Will Love

If you don’t have strawberries to hand your chicken or aren’t willing to part with them, chickens also love these fruits listed below.

Just make sure that the bulk of their diet should still be made up of pellets or crumbles to ensure they get the protein and calcium they need.

Fruity Snacks

Here is a list of some of the fruits that your chickens will love to snack on.

Remember that these sugary, fruity treats should be limited to a maximum of 10% of their total diet. 

Apples

Avoid giving your chickens the apple seeds as they contain cyanide, but raw or cooked apples, even apple sauce, will be great for them.

Bananas

Chickens love the flesh of bananas but won’t eat the skins.

Bananas are a great source of potassium, which is really good for them too.

Berries

Blueberries and raspberries are very delicious to chickens and make a great bite-sized treat.

Grapes

Being slightly larger than berries, these snacks are also perfect for treating your chickens and easier to hand feed to them.

Melon 

Eat the center of the melon and give the outer rind to your chickens and watch them go crazy over it!

Watermelon, cantaloupe, your chickens will love this healthy treat, seeds, and all.

Pears

If the pears are still quite hard, then you’ll probably want to cut these into small pieces for your chooks, but pears make great treats otherwise.

Peaches

The softness of the flesh of a peach is a perfect choice for your chooks.

They won’t eat the hard pit in the center, and if you’re worried about them hurting their beaks on it, then you should remove it first.

Tomatoes

Yes, they’re a fruit. And yes, your chickens will love them!

Vegetable Snacks

Chickens will love to eat most vegetables that you have to hand, whether they’re whole veggies, peels, or stems. 

You can give them to your flock either raw, cooked, or straight from your leftovers, as long as you haven’t put too much salt on them.

Pumpkin will go down extremely well, and all of those seeds in the middle will act as a fantastic, all-natural de-wormer!

Grain Snacks

Your chickens will eat most grains, including cooked rice, pasta, grits, and oatmeal.

Oatmeal can also be fed to them raw, and dried corn is great for the winter months.

Although it has low nutritional value, it will help them pile on some weight to keep them warm during the cold snap.

Quick Note on Baby Chicks

Chickens pick up bits of grit and sand from the floor outside to aid them in the digestion process.

Before chicks are outside in the coop, they won’t be able to do this, so you should restrict their food to chick starter while they’re in the brooder.

Or if you do want to give them other food, including treats, then provide them with a small dish of sand or a chuck of parakeet grit.

Food Items to Avoid

While chickens may be famed to eat anything and everything, there is actually quite a lot of food that you should avoid giving them, and others that you should restrict.

If you do feed them items on this list, then you may see a reduction in the number of eggs they produce, or worse yet, run the risk of them getting sick.

The number one rule is not to give them any leftovers that have mold on them as mold is toxic to chickens.

While older food that no longer looks appealing to your family is fine, if it has any sign of mold on it, including strawberries, then it should be discarded.

Overall, the vast majority of your leftovers will be perfectly safe to feed your flock, but watch out for the following:

• Moldy or rotten food is an absolute no go as we said. Over-ripe fruits and veggies are fine, but once it’s turned moldy, they shouldn’t be eating it.
• You must avoid salty food, as much as possible. Some salt is okay, but heavily salted food can be deadly.
• Avocado skins and pits should be avoided as they contain the toxin, persin. The fleshy part can be given to chickens in moderation.
• Bones should be avoided, as should raw meat as it can carry parasites. Some also believe it can lead to cannibalism within the flock.
• Raw potato skins
• Processed food isn’t good for you or your birdy friends.
• Dairy food such as milk and cream should be avoided since chickens can’t digest lactose.
• Greasy food is challenging for chickens to digest and therefore should be avoided.
• Green and sprouting potatoes are toxic to humans and birds due to the presence of solanine, which affects the nervous system.
• Tomato, pepper, and eggplant leaves also contain solanine.
• Grass clippings and weeds shouldn’t be given to your chickens as larger pieces can get stuck in their throats. They can eat these things, but it’s best to let them forage for themselves.
• Pasta and bread are okay in smaller amounts.
• Cookies and sweet treats are also good but should be restricted.
• Chocolate should be avoided, as it contains theobromine which is toxic to all birds and many pets.
• Citrus fruits should be avoided due to the acidity, and they may cause slower egg production or diarrhea
• Garlic, chives, beans, and onions are okay, but they will affect the taste of the eggs.
• Dry or uncooked beans should be avoided as they contain the toxin, hemagglutinin. Bad for birds and humans too, as it can cause red blood cells to clump together.
• Raw eggs should be avoided since they might get a taste for them and start eating their own. You can feed them eggs as a protein source but make sure you cook them first

Winner, Winner, Chicken’s Dinner!

So, the answer to “Can chickens have strawberries?” is a resounding yes, but you should limit the amount you give them.

Your flock will enjoy most fruity snacks, but harder fruits should be cut into smaller pieces to make it easier for them to eat.

While chickens can be fed almost anything, it’s good to be aware of the food items that are toxic to them so that they don’t get sick or produce fewer eggs. Best Chicken Feeder to Prevent Waste

Moldy and rotten food is especially bad for your chooks, so be sure to clean out their coops regularly to get rid of any older food.

If your chicken gets diarrhea, then you should get it treated immediately; otherwise, you run the risk of losing it.

If you keep your chickens in a coop, as opposed to free-roaming backyard breeds, you can also forage around your garden for other tasty snacks.

Any bugs, worms, or slugs you find will be greatly appreciated by them, and make a great source of protein too!

Last Updated on February 22nd, 2020

Chickens Laying Eggs With No Shell – Have your hens ever laid soft-shelled eggs that got you worried?

A host of factors could be influencing this occurrence.

Chickens laying eggs with no shell or soft shells isn’t anything new.

In fact, the reasons behind it are easy enough to understand that you should be able to do something about the situation when it arises.

How to Classify Soft Chicken Eggs

Eggs that have underdeveloped outer layers are classified into categories based on the way these eggs appear.

There are soft shell eggs, shell-less eggs, rubber eggs, and partially-shelled eggs.

On some occasions, hens can lay eggs that have no shell at all.

In this case, you’re only able to see a membrane- and albumen-wrapped egg yolk.

In other cases, the results only turn out slightly better, with eggs appearing to have a shell, but one that can be cracked very easily.

Factors That Impact Eggshell Formation

A shell is formed to provide protection to the life growing inside an egg.

It’s a compact and sturdy layer that blocks dangerous pathogens and bacteria from invading the yolk.

In light of this, chicken embryos developing inside shell-less eggs are extremely vulnerable to outside elements.

There’s a good chance these eggs could be carrying a variety of bacteria and germs.

Defective shells aren’t all that bad, especially if you’re looking to use them for animal consumption.

Thin-shelled eggs, for example, are packed with protein and are a great food source for farmhouse pigs.

You’ll want to make sure, however, that the eggshells aren’t completely shattered before feeding them to the animals.

It is a possibility that soft-shelled eggs won’t happen very often.

However, to ease your worries, let’s take a look at all the elements that factor into raising chickens for their eggs.

Chicken’s Age

A young hen is more susceptible to laying a soft-shelled egg.

Older hens are unlikely to pose these kinds of problems as they’ve already gone through the biological process of laying eggs several times over.

In this case, you’re looking at an underdeveloped biological framework as a potential reason for why eggs are coming out soft in some hens.

Calcium Deficiency

A hen’s diet is another possible culprit for why she could have laid a soft-shelled egg.

Grower rations are usually fed to younger hens, while older hens receive layer rations.

Grower feed is also known to contain much less calcium compared to layer feed.

In Young Hens

Since calcium is critical to egg development, it follows that younger hens are much more likely to lay eggs that have underdeveloped or even non-existent shell layers.

Calcium supports the building of eggshells, which makes it a necessary nutrient for hens of all ages.

The moment you notice any hen in your flock laying soft-shelled eggs, quickly switch up its feed to a layer ration.

More often than not, giving your hens calcium-rich feed greatly decreases the possibility of them laying soft- or partially-formed eggs.

You’ll soon notice their eggs coming out fully developed and healthy.

If this still isn’t the case, you’re going to have to include calcium supplements in your hen’s diet.

Keep in mind that feed containing a good amount of calcium might still not be able to yield eggs with fully-developed eggshells.

This is when you have to accept the fact that younger hens just don’t have the physical structure to support eggshell formation.

When young hens take in calcium, they end up applying the nutrient to other parts of their system.

In Older Hens

As soon as they grow older, however, their bodies will realize that more calcium needs to be allocated for the production of eggs.

Older hens are perfectly suited for egg-laying because even when they don’t have enough calcium in their diet, they’re able to draw the nutrient from some other part of their body.

There is only going to be a problem if the hen’s bones are weak—a sign that it lacks calcium.

Addressing Calcium Deficiency in Hens

If you’re looking for calcium supplements for hens that are about to go on full lay, strongly consider incorporating toasted eggshells and oyster shells into their diet.

While you’re at it, you’ll also want to make sure the rest of your flock is fed the right way.

Get more information on how to accomplish this by checking out the best chicken feed options for your flock in the market.

Calcium deficiency is not going to be the worst thing that happens to your precious hens.

Rest assured that if this is their only problem, you have a variety of scientifically proven ways to address it quickly and efficiently.

Chickens Under Stress

Now, stress is definitely a killer; it may not kill your chickens outright, but it will ruin their egg-laying capabilities to a certain degree.

You’ll notice immediately if a hen is stressed out if it’s not as active as it usually is and doesn’t feed as much.

Their soft-shelled eggs will also be a sign that they’re probably not feeling as well as you think.

The problematic issue of stress can arise from several factors, which include the changing seasons and the type of environment your flock is living in.

Heat can potentially be devastating for your chickens, especially in the absence of cover and lack of water access.

You’ll need to make sure your flock has regular access to shaded areas throughout the day to keep them cool, and a regular supply of water to keep them hydrated.

Of course, you also have to accept the fact that weather changes are beyond your control.

You may not have been able to stop the changes in the weather and temperature from taking a toll on your hens and causing them to lay underdeveloped eggs, but you did do your part to ensure they survived.

At the end of the day, nothing else is going to matter as much.

Moving on, let’s take a closer look at the different stress factors that influence the kind of shells a hen’s eggs end up having:

Environmental Stress

The living conditions of your flock can greatly impact their stress levels.

One instance is when chickens have to live with a multitude of other chickens, sometimes other animals, and compete for shade, food, water, and other necessities they need to survive.

It’s far from being an ideal scenario and is something that is almost always guaranteed to cause stress.

These less-than-ideal conditions could negatively impact some chickens more than others.

Chicks and sick chickens could possibly end up dying, and hens in full lay may end up laying eggs that are underdeveloped.

There are regions that require keepers to regulate the size of their coop so that the chickens are able to grow and live a healthy life.

In these areas, failing to raise your chickens the right way could get you in trouble with the law.

Having a large number of chickens packed in a small coop is unhealthy, not just for the chickens but also for those raising them.

Imagine how fast bacteria and diseases could spread in this kind of scenario.

Chickens tend to get stressed from mating too much, which is exactly what happens when they’re all packed together, so make sure your flock has just enough space to roam around.

Furthermore, you’ll also need to implement a healthy rooster-to-hen ratio so that your hen’s ovaries don’t get stressed out from the frequent mating.

Heat Stress

Now, this one is the real killer.

Not only is the stress caused by the sun’s relentless burning heat something for you to worry about when raising chickens for their eggs, but it’s also a serious threat to your chickens’ health and well-being.

Hot weather conditions can lead to the production of underdeveloped eggs, usually thin-shelled eggs or eggs without any form of shell covering.

You’ll notice a big difference in how eggshells turn out when you compare batches laid during the warmer months with those laid during the colder months.

Reproduction during the winter season generally leads to healthier batches of eggs.

Chickens on the receiving end of the sun’s heat are definitely going to feel its full intensity.

If they aren’t able to seek cover under the shade during these moments, they could potentially end up getting harmed or even dying.

This is, again, why we stress the importance of having a coop that has enough areas under the shade for all the fowls.

Additionally, there must be enough clean water sources inside the coop to help the chickens combat the very worst of the summer heat.

The amount of heat absorbed by hens will impact their laying abilities.

Their lack of cooling mechanism means you have to put double effort into making sure they’re well-fed and properly hydrated during the hotter months, as well as able to seek refuge from a number of shaded areas inside their coop.

Juicy treats, such as mealworms, can help take a bit of the edge off the heat and offer some much-needed hydration.

Calcium supplements are especially ideal during this time when your chickens need physical and reproductive support the most.

Stress From Diseases

There’s no questioning the fragility of chickens.

As strong as these animals appear, they’re immune systems are going to cave when subjected to the most damaging conditions.

In these instances, ailments start to develop and make an impact on your fowl’s health.

When hens lay soft or partially-formed eggs, they could be suffering from a viral or bacterial infection.

You don’t want to wait out these issues and hope for the best because as determined and strong-willed as chickens are, they don’t exactly have the greatest immune system.

Ailments and chicken disease that are affecting your fowls could very easily thrive and spread, infecting some of the other members of the flock.

When neglected, such issues can get even worse and maybe even end up killing the entire flock.

In the event of severe (and we say severe because even the flu can be fatal to a chicken) health problems, make sure to take your chicken to the vet immediately.

Proper diagnoses and treatments are needed for chickens exhibiting symptoms of illnesses.

In most cases, once your hens recover from their ailments, they should start laying normal and healthy eggs again.

Why Are Chickens Laying Eggs With No Shell

There are times when, no matter what you do, there’ll still be that one stray egg that isn’t perfect.

The eggshell is either too soft, not completely formed, or totally nonexistent.

There’s just no explanation for it, and it’s something that you have to accept.

This is, in a way, nature telling you that you will never have full control.

As long as you are doing the right thing, you shouldn’t have too much to worry about.

You just need to be wise and cover all the bases.

Take care of your flock the right way by regularly providing clean water sources, nutrient-rich feed, enough shaded areas, and calcium supplements.

Also, make it a point to partner with an experienced veterinarian who can provide quality consultation for all kinds of issues concerning flock raising.

This individual should have sufficient knowledge on how to address problems regarding eggshell formation.

Chickens Laying Eggs With No Shell

Is there really a way to ensure that 100 percent of the chicken eggs from your flock will turn out healthy with fully-formed shells?

No, there isn’t.

Plus, if we really wanted to find out, then it would take more than analyzing a group of chickens laying eggs with no shell, or an entire batch of soft-shelled eggs, to discover the answer.

Again, this is science telling you that you have to surrender to it.

At the end of the day, there is really only so much you can do as an ordinary chicken keeper.

Best Chicken Egg Incubators

However, when you do all the things you’re supposed to do the right way, you’re very likely to end up happy with not just the quality of eggs your flock’s hens produce but also with your flock’s general health and behavior.

When you gather as much information as you can from verified sources and learn from your experiences, you should be able to garner results that not only make you feel like a successful chicken keeper but a great human being, as well.

Last Updated on February 22nd, 2020

How Long Can Chickens Go Without Water?

Like all living things, chickens need water to survive.

However, the answer to how long can chickens go without water usually depends on the kind of chicken we’re talking about.

Other factors related to fowl behavior are also taken into consideration, like laying eggs, molting, and growing feathers.

Temperature levels factor into the equation, as well.

How Long Can Chickens Go Without Water?

Generally, if the climate is just right and isn’t too warm, healthy chickens are able to survive a full 48 hours without water.

If you factor in heat or warm conditions, then that’s going to be another story.

Chickens kept in regions where the heat can really do a number on them won’t last more than eight hours without proper water supply.

Lack of Water Access for Hens

Chickens that don’t have access to water normally experience shock.

For instance, hens that are in full lay might stop laying for an entire fortnight if they’re left without any water.

Lack of water can leave a chicken with a dried-out crop that is no longer able to moisten food, which, consequently, halts its digestive process.

A full day without water can be a nightmare for chickens, particularly for hens who need to be hydrated to lay eggs.

These animals will start to struggle or become completely incapable of regulating their body temperature and would need to seek shelter from the heat.

Whether or not they find cover, however, their suffering will continue.

Freezing Temperatures

Ice thaws, so water is going to be everywhere, right?

Yes, ice, indeed, melts, but not for a long time, or sometimes never where other regions are concerned.

In any case, you’re going to find that cold conditions are just as bad as hot temperatures in terms of how they can impact water access for chickens.

The survival rate is slightly higher for chickens in the snowy regions.

When healthy, these animals can go for more than two days without water, eating the snow that’s trapping them inside their coop out of their fierce desperation to survive.

Keep in mind, however, that snow isn’t good for chickens in the long run.

During the cold months, cockerels, as well as hens that have taken a break from egg-laying, don’t struggle as much with lack of water.

The former, because it doesn’t lay eggs and, the latter, because it’s in its resting phase and doesn’t require as much energy.

This is also true for chickens that have already gone through the molting process and have regrown their feathers.

Best Chicken Water Heaters

Baby Chicks

Chicks are as fragile as they come, and, for them, even a few hours without water can be a death sentence.

Make sure your baby chicks don’t go without water for more than six hours.

Since chicks are normally placed in a warm environment by their brooder, they need regular access to water for cooling as well as their normal biological processes.

These younglings do not have the immune system or the reserves of adults, which is why they need to take in smaller amounts of water more frequently.

Newly hatched chicks, on the other hand, will get all the nutrition they need for the next three days from their yolk.

Once the 72 hours are up, however, the baby chicks are going to need water a lot.

How Much Water Do Chickens Need?

Chickens kept indoors are known to consume around 180 ml to 250 ml of water on a daily basis, which means flocks that are kept outdoors could easily drink twice as much.

With that said, consider providing as much as 500 ml of water per chicken each day.

Broilers or meat chickens have a faster growth rate that contributes to their higher water consumption.

For each of these chickens, make sure to leave at least one liter of water on a regular day.

Since we’re discussing a lot about chicken types, make it a point to educate yourself on the best chicken breeds for rural living or your backyard.

Useful and detailed information about each breed should help you learn more about how to take care of chickens better.

Why Do Chickens Need Water?

We all know that chickens need water to survive, but what exactly do they need it for?

Here’s a breakdown of a chicken’s activities and functions that would not be possible without water:

Drinking

The role of water in this particular activity leaves no room for doubt.

Chickens, like most animals, need water to hydrate and infuse their bodies with the energy that allows them to engage in a variety of daily activities—from mating and laying eggs to running around and flying.

Plus, let’s not forget the necessity of water for seasonal processes like molting.

Everything a chicken does throughout its life requires the energy and nutrients provided by feed and a regular supply of clean water.

Digestion

Water is especially crucial in the digestive process as it moistens the food stored in the chicken’s crop.

Without regular water access, a chicken won’t be able to get enough water into its crop, causing it to dry and, ultimately, stopping digestion.

You can probably imagine how bad this is for your fowl.

Waste Removal

Waste is easier to eject when it’s moist.

Chickens rely on water to soften up those hard feed as well as foreign materials that manage to make their way into the animal’s digestive system.

Chickens aren’t exactly known to be picky eaters and are likely to consume anything that can fit into their beaks.

Water helps ensure that whatever these animals eat, they’ll be able to get out of their system easily.

Temperature Regulation

Water helps chickens regulate their body temperature, keeping them cool, active, and healthy even when it’s extra warm outside.

Without regular access to water, chickens are unable to rely on this function and will either need to stay under the shade constantly or wait until it’s cool enough to venture out into the open.

Either way, this situation is going to result in a lot of suffering for these animals.

Egg Formation

We’re always emphasizing the importance of regular water access for hens that are in full lay, and egg formation is the reason why.

Did you know that chicken eggs are made up of 70% water?

Lack of a regular supply of water during the egg-laying phase is not only going to be really bad for the hens, but it’s also going to do a number on their eggs, affecting their development and even leaving the life inside vulnerable.

What You Should Do for Chickens That Don’t Have Access to Water

If you notice that your flock of chickens was left without water, provide them with a clean supply right away.

Chickens should always be given water before they feed.

If they’re provided feed first, they’re not going to have enough water in their crops to moisten food.

Furthermore, this could also lead to crop problems, which could impact a chicken’s health in the long run.

It always helps to provide chickens with feed that has already been moistened.

A few soaked grains should get things going and do wonders for your chicken’s digestive system.

Can Chickens Go an Entire Night Without Water?

Like humans, who can go eight hours to half a day without water, chickens are all good going an entire night without water.

Keepers don’t usually keep water in the coop overnight as it tends to dampen the environment and lead to rat problems.

With how health-sensitive chickens are, you can’t give vermin any opportunity to infect their surroundings with bacteria or, worse, feed on the chicks.

As far as your flock is concerned, you just need to make sure that water is readily available in their coop, as well as on the pasture.

Do Chickens Need Water Daily?

Yes, you need to give your chickens water on a daily basis.

During the summer, keepers should provide their flocks with water twice a day.

Furthermore, if you’re raising chickens in really warm regions, then you may have to give them clean water as much as four times per day.

Cleanliness is paramount when giving your chickens water.

For the most part, these animals are vulnerable and can easily fall prey to a variety of ailments.

Also, health problems, like the flu, can be deadly to your fowl.

Providing your roosters and hens with the cleanest water around goes a long way to boosting their immune system and keeping those germs and bacteria at bay.

Rainwater is an acceptable water supply for your pets, but you must store it in a dark lidded barrel until it’s needed.

A big part of caring for your chickens is providing them a sufficient amount of water every day.

In a lot of places, if you fail to do this, you could get in real trouble with the law.

Tips for Watering Chickens

Water is as important to chickens as it is to humans and every other organism.

You know this and, therefore, do your very best to provide your chickens with a clean supply of water every single day.

Then again, you have to ask yourself: is the water really clean?

Water can appear clean to the naked eye but still be filled with bacteria and other microorganisms that are harmful to chickens.

Included in our tips for providing water to your fouls is making sure the pipes and waterers are clean.

Here are the others:

1. Use Elevated Water Containers

When chickens scratch themselves, they end up spraying dirt and tiny debris everywhere.

These materials can end up negatively affecting the quality of their drinking water.

To address this issue, you can place the water containers in a slightly elevated area that’s just enough for the chickens to reach.

In this way, they can comfortably drink from their water vessels without getting any dirt in the water.

2. Provide Two or More Water Sources

If you have a bigger flock, a single water source won’t be enough to hydrate all your chickens.

Some of them will either end up with barely any water or no water at all, which is something you want to keep from happening.

Additionally, keepers will also need to work double-time to refill a single water source.

One chicken can consume as much as 500 ml of water, so that would mean countless refills in a single day, particularly during warm weather.

3. Keep Water in the Shade

Searing temperatures can heat up the water in those containers like nobody’s business, rendering it almost undrinkable.

Also, water that’s kept for hours under the sun is going to evaporate quicker, emptying containers faster and leaving your chickens with nothing to help quench their thirst.

Water containers should be kept in the shade to keep these problems from arising and doubling your workload.

4. Hide Water Containers From Other Animals

Keepers will want to keep water containers hidden from other animals so that their chickens won’t run out of water.

Situate those water vessels in areas that are away from the line of sight of wild birds and other pesky critters that also get thirsty.

Keep in mind that broilers alone can consume as much as one liter of water a day because of their high growth rate, so you’re going to want to keep the water supply in the coop exclusively for your flock.

5. Splash Some Apple Cider at Least Once a Week

We already know that water has several proven benefits for chickens, one of them being an aid for digestion.

However, since chickens are notorious for gobbling up anything they can fit inside their beaks, including tiny hard objects, you’ll want to take the digestion process up a notch every week or so.

On the days you decide to do this, add a bit of apple cider vinegar into the water sources.

Apple cider not only helps improve digestion, but it also enhances the detoxification process.

Every once in a while, your chickens could use a bit of apple cider in their systems.

Final Thoughts: The Best Waterers for Chickens

A vacuum-sealed galvanized drinker can do wonders for your chickens; it also keeps you from dwelling on the question: how long can chickens go without water?

Why?

Because you no longer have to worry about your flock running out of water.

Get about five or six of these water vessels to help provide your chickens with a nearly everlasting water source.

These receptacles are awesome, simple, easy to fill, and effortless to clean.

You’ll also want to keep them on a level surface so that the water inside them doesn’t drain away.

Backyard Chickens: Watering Systems and Ideas