• 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 · 117 Comments

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Mail
    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 »
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Mail
    Craving More

    Take the hassle out of meal planning with: Dinner Made Easy, a FREE 1 week meal plan with full shopping list, easy dinners, nutrition information, serving suggestions for each meal, and more!

    Subscribe Now
    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 Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published.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

      Recipe Rating




    1. Colleen Ross

      March 21, 2023 at 9:08 am

      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

      Reply
    2. chassidy

      January 10, 2023 at 12:20 pm

      it's now 2022, how are these holding up? have you made any additional changes?

      Reply
      • chassidy

        January 10, 2023 at 12:21 pm

        2023. LOL

      • Melissa

        January 10, 2023 at 9:36 pm

        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.

    3. Kevin

      January 07, 2023 at 1:23 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Melissa

        January 09, 2023 at 12:05 pm

        That's a lot of water for 6 chickens, I think we used it for about 15 and it lasted 4-5 days.

    4. Jane D.

      December 27, 2022 at 1:15 pm

      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.

      Reply
    5. Soila Serena

      November 20, 2022 at 3:04 pm

      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.

      Reply
    6. Soila Serena

      November 20, 2022 at 2:59 pm

      Love all your food they look yummy I love to cook and love to learn more Ideas about chickens have backyard chicken too

      Reply
    7. Claudelle

      November 16, 2022 at 7:15 am

      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

      Reply
      • Melissa

        November 16, 2022 at 3:40 pm

        I wish you much success. My daughter sells eggs and does well, I hope that you find it to be profitable as well!

    8. Kathryn

      August 04, 2022 at 9:07 pm

      We tried this tonight since our normal metal waterer developed a small hole and would no longer hold water. Luckily we had all necessary parts but will be upgrading the pan to something a bit wider than what we used (a planter base). Thanks for a great idea!!

      Reply
      • JJ

        September 17, 2022 at 10:56 pm

        We love you, too. I mean, thank you for these no nonsense instructions. God bless you all.

    9. jenny g

      July 20, 2022 at 1:36 pm

      Thank you Melissa. What a great feeder and waterer for my chickens. Trinidad West Indies 2022.

      Reply
    10. Luis.Dominguez

      June 24, 2022 at 1:37 pm

      Hello.that.5.gallon. Water. Is.great idea. Thank you very much.😁

      Reply
      • Roger

        July 16, 2022 at 11:00 am

        Excellent idea it sure worked for me. I just change a little bit as far as the 5 Gallon bucket 🪣 I used a 2 gallon bucket since I only have 4 chickens 🐓… Thank you for your post and taking the time to post it so it would help someone else. Blessings

    11. Wendy Leonard

      April 28, 2022 at 10:22 pm

      Thank you, was going away for 3 weeks and needed quick easy idea to feed chicks, already use a water bucket with overflow from shed guttering, so bucket fedding for me is ideal

      Reply
    12. Patricia

      January 28, 2022 at 3:37 pm

      Thanks for your post! I AM that person that needed a little guidance on a diy feeder! 😆 My brain just was not in the creative mode for it! So tha k you! I will post a picture when I am done!

      Reply
      • Bud Bivens

        May 13, 2022 at 9:27 pm

        Thank you . Just what I have been needing. Simple and cheap chicken waterer and feeder.

    13. Mike

      November 14, 2021 at 6:54 pm

      Hello Melissa
      Thank your for all the work you have put into this blog. Your suggestions on the chicken feeder and water er are great. l have the feeder working now and will get the water er going as soon as I can find a bucket with tight lid. I have read a number of your posting and find them very inspiring. Don't give up. There are some of us out here who really like what you are doing.
      Mike In MS

      Reply
    14. Mark

      October 18, 2021 at 12:26 am

      To save flipping the bucket use a cork or something similar, a rag will do fine, and remove once in the drinking tray, I used a metal tray rather than foil, remember fresh water daily is best but this is great for a backup or weekend away.

      Reply
    15. Pam

      July 05, 2021 at 10:28 am

      I made the feeder but they get the food everywhere on the ground. I guess I need to put it up higher which I didn't do because I have chickens of every size.

      Reply
    16. Stacy Smith

      May 06, 2021 at 12:06 pm

      Love this idea. Went to lowes and got a bucket with a screw off portion, the sealed, got the matching bucket.. then went to Tractor supply and got a hog feeder for the bucket to sit in...came home drilled holes, pounded the lid on, and filled it..the girls love it.

      Reply
    17. Ponco

      March 18, 2021 at 8:39 am

      for Waterer i prefer holes in the top of bucket. I have to turn it upside down, but it is much easier to carry water

      Reply
      • SCOTT CHERRY

        April 14, 2022 at 4:51 pm

        The waterer would work well if I could keep the damn water in it when filling.
        It overflows the pan and can't get it full, because it's wants to overflow the pan before I can get the lid on.
        This is not a very good idea.

    « Older Comments

    Primary Sidebar

    I’M MELISSA, AND I WANT TO HELP YOU FEED YOUR FAMILY WHOLESOME FOOD.

    As a hobby farmer and mom of five, I’m all about keeping it simple in the kitchen. I want healthy meals that feed my family well, and then I want to get back to my (messy) life. Let’s work together to find something yummy for your dinner table.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • bowl of hummus with red spice on top
      How to Make Hummus
    • close up of a slice of french silk pie
      French Silk Pie
    • top view of a sliced loaf of cinnamon bread sliced half way
      Cinnamon Babka
    • slow cooker and a ladle with taco soup
      Slow Cooker Taco Soup
    Dinner Made Easy

    Get Recipes & More for Free!

    Get my FREE Dinner Made Easy meal plan, exclusive recipes, giveaways, and behind-the-scenes updates! Get my newsletter or a new recipe every day! Unsubscribe if you aren’t into it.

    Subscribe Now

    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