• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Bless this Mess
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Sides
  • Desserts
  • Snacks
  • Holidays
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start Here
  • All Recipes
  • Recipe Filter
  • Cookbooks!
  • Our Story
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Start Here
    • All Recipes
    • Recipe Filter
    • Cookbooks!
    • Our Story
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Bless This Mess > Life on the Farm

    DIY Chicken Waterer and Feeder from 5-gallon Buckets

    Published: Apr 13, 2022 · Modified: Apr 13, 2022 by Melissa · 133 Comments

    pinterest pin and the text reads "how to make a chicken waterer" - Image of a live hen in her coop on top of a white five gallon bucket
    pinterest pin and the text reads "how to make a chicken waterer" - Image of a white five gallon bucket in a chicken coup on top of an aluminum pan with water
    pinterest pin and the text reads "how to make a chicken waterer" - collage of four images showing how to
    pintrest pin - text reads "how to make a chicken waterer" - top image shows a person drilling holes in the bottom of a white five gallon bucket - bottom image shoes the end result of two buckets with holes
    Photo of Chicken Feeder

    Spring is in the air and that means that it’s time to start thinking and getting prepped for backyard chickens! I’m going to tell you everything you have ever wanted to know and more about Chicken Waterers and how to DIY your very own from a 5 gallon bucket. 

    Providing animals with water to drink seems like a no brainer, but there are a lot of 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 chicken waterer that is simple and cost efficient. Let’s dive in.

    DIY Chicken Waterer and Feeder From 5-Gallon Buckets


     

    DIY chicken waterer and feeder from 5-gallon buckets

    Water is essential for humans to survive and it is no different for chickens. Appropriate access to clean water drastically influences how healthy a chicken is and how well they produce. If a chicken does not have an ample supply of water they will actually stop laying eggs! Did you know that? Water also aids in the digestive process and helps a chicken eliminate waste. 

    When a chicken is sufficiently hydrated they are able to regulate their body temperature more effectively.  A chicken that drinks clean, cool water also has a healthy brain. This will keep the animal in tip top shape and their mind sharper to be able to watch for predators. In short-chickens will not survive without water. 

    farm and garden life with chicks

    It doesn’t seem like chickens drink very much water because they just take small sips throughout the day. However, on average chickens drink about 1 pint of water per day. They will drink more if the temperature is hot. 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 actually really 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.

    Keeping the water you feed your chickens clean is essential. Ideally, you should refresh their water every single day to prevent bacteria build up and algae forming. Along with changing their water every single day, I suggest sanitizing the waterer at least weekly. You can use dish soap and a brush to clean the waterer or a diluted bleach solution.  

    Chicken waterers can come in various shapes, sizes, dollar amounts and can be constructed from a myriad of materials. In my experience, you don’t need to break the bank providing water for chickens. As long as they have clean, fresh water and lots of it your chickens will thrive. We have used this DIY version for chicken waterers for years and have found great success with them. 

    colorful eggs in cartons

    Frequently Asked Questions:

    Do chickens need water in their coop at night?

    Chickens typically do not need water during the night. At night, they usually sleep on their roost until morning. 

    Where should I place my waterers?

    You want to place your waterers in a place without direct sunlight in order to keep the water as cool as possible. 

    How many waterers do I need for my chickens?

    I plan for 1 large waterer per 6-8 chickens. Remember that they drink about 1 pint a day so plan accordingly. 

    Can chickens drink tap water?

    The general rule is if it is safe enough for you to drink then your chickens can drink it too. 

    What happens if chickens run out of water?

    If a chicken is dehydrated you will want to remedy the situation quickly. When a chicken isn’t getting enough water their egg laying will slow down or could stop completely,  they will become lethargic, you many notice them panting or a pale comb as well. 

    DIY CHICKEN WATERER AND FEEDER FROM 5-GALLON BUCKETS

    WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

    • Two 5-gallon buckets with lids (free - they are everywhere! Really! Just ask your local sandwich shop to save you a few that the pickles come in).
    • Drill
    • 1-inch standard drill bit or paddle drill bit
    • Two large foil roasting pans ($2 - pick them up at the Dollar Store) OR these large feed pans 

    HOW TO:

    FOR THE DIY CHICKEN FEEDER:

    Clean and empty your 5-gallon bucket. Along the bottom edge of the bucket drill 1-inch holes all the way around the bottom, spacing the holes about 2 inches apart. Place the bucket inside the foil roasting 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 they eat, more will come out. Replace the lid to the bucket so that the chickens can't get to the food from the top (and poo in it). Easy!

    FOR THE DIY CHICKEN WATERER:

    Clean and empty your 5-gallon bucket. Along the bottom edge of the bucket, drill two 1-inch holes, holes opposite of each other. Place the bucket inside the foil roasting pan, right-side-up (holes in the pan), and then fill it with chicken water. Quickly 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. The water will keep running out of the bucket and over flow the roasting pan if there isn't a good seal. It's a hydrodynamics thing....just ask my water engineer husband; he'd gladly explain it to you.

    Here's how all that looks in pictures:

    DIY Chicken Water and Feeder From 5-Gallon Buckets

    What you need:

    chicken feeder how to

    Drill some holes:

    chicken feed and and buckets

    chicken feeder from 5 gallon bucket

    Completed DIY chicken feeder:

    chicken water from 5 gallon bucket

    Completed DIY chicken water with lid (see, it's not leaking!)

    chicken feeder from bucket with top perch

    UPDATE OCTOBER 2017: I've now been using these same buckets as a DIY chicken waterer and feeder for over 4 years. I have upgraded from the tin foil turkey roaster pans though. 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. Here are similar pans 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 been using for years. They work great and I still highly recommend making these.

    Not everyone needs a post on a DIY chicken waterer and feeder from 5-gallon buckets, but someone out there does need it! Even if you don't have your own hens yet, this might be something to store away in your "someday" file because you just never know when you might need some great info that will save you a dollar or two!

    « Bread Bowls
    8 Wholesome Lunch-Box Ideas for Adults or Kids »
    Craving More

    Get my FREE meal plans, exclusive recipes, giveaways, and behind-the-scenes updates! Unsubscribe if you aren't into it.

    about me

    About Melissa

    Melissa is dedicated to helping parents figure out the nightly questions, "What's for Dinner?!" with her no-fuss approach to cooking. Read more...

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Review Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Julie

      October 10, 2023 at 3:30 pm

      We have pushed and pushed on the lid and it still keeps leaking. The hole is definitely under the edge of the pan. Anyone tried sealing the inside with Vaseline to create a barrier?

      Reply
    2. Charlotte

      September 06, 2023 at 7:32 pm

      Thank you so much for this. We are planning a road trip and need something to keep the chickens fed and watered that wont break the bank.. you are a God send..

      Reply
    3. Mary Martel

      August 24, 2023 at 9:01 pm

      So I just did this for my chickens, but how can I fill the bucket up all the way when the lid needs to be sealed to create the vacuum?

      Reply
      • Melissa

        August 29, 2023 at 1:10 pm

        I take it out and fill it through the bottom holes then flip it back into the pan.

    4. Caleb

      August 13, 2023 at 5:37 pm

      How do you actually fill the water bucket? Seems impossible…. Easy to make, impossible to fill.

      Reply
      • Melissa

        August 14, 2023 at 9:20 am

        We take it out, flip it over and fill it through the holes we cut and then flip it back into the pan. Not ideal for everyone.

    5. Sharon

      July 10, 2023 at 11:06 am

      Thanks so much!! I definitely did need a post on diy chicken feeders!! Greatly appreciated😀

      Reply
    6. Sandy

      June 28, 2023 at 10:20 am

      I made the water bucket and pan just as the directions, the water over flows until it gets down to the top of the hole??

      Reply
      • Melissa

        June 28, 2023 at 12:00 pm

        Either the holes are higher than the pan you are having the water go into or your bucket isn't airtight, those are the two reasons the water over flows.

    7. sajeel

      June 19, 2023 at 1:59 am

      thankyou it was so helpfull

      Reply
    8. Marie

      June 05, 2023 at 8:40 am

      This is fantastic and easy to do. I'm going to use it for my tortoise. I live in UK and there is a row of oak trees that drop leaves which fill the water trays. This method should reduce the chances of leaves filling the water. We also have hedgehogs that wander into the garden fo water in hot weather, so they will use this too.

      Reply
    9. Joy

      June 02, 2023 at 8:35 pm

      I use the ice cream tubs from ice cream stands and Tupperware trays from thrift stores. Easy and cheap. Just incase you don't have 5 gallon pails.

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Primary Sidebar

    I’M MELISSA, AND I WANT TO HELP YOU GET DINNER ON THE TABLE.

    Welcome! I’m Melissa and I'm here to help you make meals your entire family will love. As a mom of five, I know the importance of simple family-friendly recipes. Let’s get cooking!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Shrimp Stir Fry
    • a plate stacked with chocolate chip cookies next to a bag of semi sweet chocolate morsels
      The Original Toll House Cookie Recipe
    • two sourdough starters in glass canning jar
      How to Make a Sourdough Starter
    • chicken and dumplings in white bowl on blue and white towel
      Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings Soup
    • sourdough bread in dutch oven with red handles
      My Favorite Go-To Sourdough Bread Recipe
    • Easy Apple Pie Recipe | Classic Apple Dessert Recipe For Thanksgiving!
      Easy Apple Pie Recipe (Using Fresh Apples)

    Thanksgiving Recipes

    • Image of Gingerbread Cookies
      Soft Gingerbread Cookies
    • Mom's Jumbo Dinner Rolls
    • Image of perfect pie crusts
      4 Recipes for a Perfect Pie Crust
    • Photo of Apple Cake
      The Best Easy Apple Cake
    • whole cooked brown sugar glazed ham on white plate
      Brown Sugar Glazed Ham
    • Image of a pecan pie with some plates
      The Best Pecan Pie Recipe
    Dinner Made Easy

    Get Recipes & More for Free!

    Get my FREE meal plans, exclusive recipes, giveaways, and behind-the-scenes updates! Unsubscribe if you aren't into it.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    SEEN ON

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Tools.
    • Terms Of Service.
    • Accessibility.
    • Bylaws.

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About Us
    • Cookbook FAQ
    • Find A Recipe!

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 blessthismessplease.com. All rights reserved.

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter