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    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 · 121 Comments

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    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!

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    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...

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Clergylady

      September 26, 2020 at 7:09 pm

      I set the buckets n the round metal pans sold for oil changes. In winter i set the bucket and pan on top of round metal cookie container with a few holes punched in the sides and 3-4 tea lights burning inside. It warms the water enough to keep it from freezing. Works well in 6300 ft elevation high mountain desert country. Just 2 tea lights on below zero days work nicely. Old style electric light bulbs work well but I don't have power out there. I ke we p some little solar light around the edges so I can see whats happening if predators get too close. I can see to shoot if needed.

      Reply
      • Esther M Huchel

        November 22, 2020 at 10:01 am

        Hi,
        Thank you for the tip on the tea lights. I use solar yard lights around my plants just to give them some extra light and warmth. I live in 5300 elevation, with a zone 7a/7b in AZ. I do have property in a zone 9a and 9b that I will retire to. I will be able to have my meat rabbits and hens again out there. Any other insights you all could give for my area is appreciated. I may have to live out there sooner if the Covid or other continues to be a problem economically.

    2. Peggie

      July 11, 2020 at 5:50 pm

      How do you fill them fast enough??? The water runs out so fast when trying to fill because you can't fill with airtight.

      Reply
      • Melissa

        July 12, 2020 at 2:19 pm

        I fill it upside down through the holes that you drilled then flip it over. It won't work if you open the top.

    3. jennifer

      May 21, 2020 at 12:26 pm

      I hate the problem with the water feeder is you literally have to have the bucket full of water upside down and then flip it over completely full with the lid on sealed in order for this to work it did not work the way that you described it

      Reply
      • Kat

        June 06, 2020 at 2:20 pm

        Really? I clean mine fill the pan with water sit the bucket in it fill it quickly with water and put the lid on!! Of course turning it upside down would not work...duh

      • Julian

        June 15, 2020 at 4:18 pm

        Drill some holes under the lid easier to carry and fill

    4. John

      May 19, 2020 at 7:31 am

      Thanks,it's a great idea I'll try it out. The pyiscs behind is that the partial vacuum prevents water from following , when the hole are above the water level air gets in, permitting some more water to follow our .
      Since am a Christian please permit me also to tell you guys that Jesus saves
      Thanks much Melissa

      Reply
      • Patterson Kajimalwendo

        December 22, 2020 at 1:12 pm

        Hi Melissa we are a mission here in Zambia your ideas are helpful stay blessed.

    5. TJ Wolf

      March 30, 2020 at 4:41 pm

      So which is better for a waterer? Drill holes at the bottom of bucket or at the top below the lid?

      Reply
      • Melissa

        March 30, 2020 at 5:00 pm

        I don't think it matters as long as the bucket is air tight.

      • Julie Rocco

        May 03, 2020 at 4:47 pm

        I would seem to think the bottom for 2 reasons. 1) filling it would be way easier 2) you can hang it . Just my thinking.

      • Sandy

        June 25, 2020 at 8:01 pm

        I did one with the holes at the top just above the lip on the bucket. I fill it up put the lid on it and then flip it over into their drinking tub.

      • chris

        August 30, 2021 at 4:14 pm

        At the top, I have been doing this for years. Feeder is fine with holes on the bottom but waterer holes have to be on top and then flip it over, easy to carry also.

    6. John Benjamin

      March 22, 2020 at 8:03 am

      Hmm - Drill the water holes a half inch below the lid closure edge, fill the bucket, seal it and gently turn it over into the bucket. Going out to try my modification!

      Reply
      • Carolyn

        March 23, 2020 at 2:45 pm

        This sounds genius.....I’m on my way to try it too thanks for this idea!

    7. Cindy

      October 08, 2019 at 11:00 am

      This is great. I have a new house that came with chickens and rabbits and mini pigs. I am going to make this for my animals so the pigs will not eat there food.

      Reply
      • Melissa

        October 08, 2019 at 2:39 pm

        I'm still using mine all these years later, you'll love it. And how fun to have an instant mini farm! I just love it! Send me some pictures!

    8. Jess

      April 27, 2019 at 4:23 pm

      Great ideas! For the water, how do you fill the bucket without it running over the sides since the water only stops when the lid is on

      Reply
      • Melissa

        April 27, 2019 at 5:45 pm

        We just flip them over never to the metal pan, stick a hose in one of the holes, fill it up, and then flip it back down into the pan. It's not perfect but I don't mess with the lid either...

      • Jeanayia

        August 06, 2019 at 9:40 pm

        I drilled my holes on the opposite end (about an inch or two) to prevent water spilling out when I filled it. Make sure you dont drill the holes too high because they should be submerged under the water in the pan. Worked great for me 🙂

      • Melissa

        August 07, 2019 at 4:29 pm

        Thank you for the tip!!

    9. Bobbie

      May 05, 2018 at 12:34 pm

      Do you mind if I ask how long each fill lasts? I know that would depend largely on the number of chickens you have, but that would be helpful to know. Great job - thanks for sharing your expertise!!!

      Reply
      • Melissa

        May 05, 2018 at 3:02 pm

        I have 18 hens with one right now and it lasts 3-4 days, so I fill it about twice a week. If we are going out of town I'll fill up a second one and it'll last a week or so for my hens in the desert.

      • Dina

        May 07, 2018 at 4:27 pm

        This is a GREAT idea!!! This will help me get to my goal faster as I am on a tight budget and kept crying each time I saw the cost of a waterer and feeder!!!
        I live in Arco Idaho... I am concerned with this freezing and making a terrible mess with the bucket busting???
        Curious if you know how the chicken nipples would work in a similar set up but hanging up instead of on the floor??? Maybe making two buckets so I can rotate them during freezing temps???

        I have just enough experience to get myself into trouble!!! and second guess myself way more than I should>>>

        Thank you for this great idea!!!

      • Melissa

        May 07, 2018 at 5:16 pm

        I could never get my chickens to use a chicken nipple bucket, I tried for weeks... so no experience their. My buckets haven't frozen and cracked in the winter but they water does freeze and make the bucket unusable. I normally just pack out a few milk jugs with steaming hot tap water in them in the winter and dump them on the ice so that it can melt some. Most of the time I end up not using the bucket and just keep the pan filled with the hot water one or two times a day. That being said, we did use incandescent light bulbs in homemade wood boxes under the pans one year (because the light bulbs produce heat) and that worked really well to keep them from freezing. If you have power to your chicken lot, that's what I'd do!

    10. Ravikanth Benjamin

      May 03, 2018 at 2:39 pm

      Excellent info. I like it.

      Reply
    11. elizabeth

      April 04, 2018 at 6:01 am

      GREAT CREATIVE WORK, COULD NOT IMAGINE THE ''THROW-AWAY'' COULD BE OF SUCH GREAT USE IN MY FARM.

      Reply
      • Melissa

        April 04, 2018 at 8:37 am

        It really is a big help on the farm. Running out of water is the worst, and not having to worry about it too much is the best!

    12. Anthony Joseph Falante

      March 11, 2018 at 9:07 pm

      Great info,I set mine on a cinder block so they don't scratch bedding into it

      Reply
    13. Nazia

      March 01, 2018 at 12:18 am

      I used your idea but modified it by replacing the foil pan with one of those plastic pans that go with planters. I bolted it with 3/8 bolt and washers (rubber) to prevent leaks and now the buckets hang with the base attached. No water has leaked yet. Fingers crossed.

      Reply
    14. Leah

      February 21, 2018 at 9:54 am

      how do you fill the homemade waterers? The commercial ones have a rubber stopper that prevents water from flowing out while you're filling it, how does this one work best to fill?
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Melissa

        February 22, 2018 at 4:19 pm

        I got ones from a restaurant that were for oil or pickles and they have a screw on and off spot on the lid. I have others that I just tip to fill and then tip back in to the pan, not the easiest but it works!

      • Nazia

        March 01, 2018 at 12:30 am

        You could use a plug or tape and remove after your lid is placed..

    15. Tina

      January 08, 2018 at 10:18 pm

      Be sure to remove the wire handle on the bucket, chickens or other foul can get caught (legs,beaks,necks) and die. Otherwise this is a really great feeder.

      Reply
    16. Ardelle

      January 06, 2018 at 10:34 am

      Excellent idea...my chickens may need these at some point.

      Reply
    17. ron

      December 31, 2017 at 8:48 am

      what about pellet feed and water holes seem too large maybe 1/4 inch holes

      Reply
    18. Bonnie Coffey

      November 18, 2017 at 11:05 am

      I got plastic drain pans from Dollar Tree for the bottoms of my feeder/waterer. They are just barely larger in diameter than the buckets. $1 each, sturdy and won't corrode. They work great!

      Reply
      • Melissa

        November 18, 2017 at 4:54 pm

        Great idea!

      • Ardelle

        January 06, 2018 at 10:36 am

        Like your idea.

    19. Heike B Sullivan

      November 11, 2017 at 2:00 pm

      hi! This is a great idea! my husband and I decided to make our own. However, we changed the design of the water bucket, instead of 2 drilled holes we decided to put a valve in that we can lock when we need to refill the water. It works great! Thanks again for sharing!

      Reply
      • Dina

        May 07, 2018 at 4:22 pm

        I would love to see this in pictures. Curious if the chicken nipples would work with this and then it could hang instead of taking up space on the floor???

    20. Laura

      October 19, 2017 at 7:18 pm

      Thanks for the tips!

      Reply
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