Last Updated on February 16, 2024 by AwesomeChickens
If you have or are considering, getting chickens to raise as pets, for meat or their eggs, it is crucial to understand how to take care of them properly. First, of course, you want to keep your chickens happy and healthy, and an essential part of keeping your chickens healthy is by making sure they are getting enough water.
An otherwise healthy chicken can go without drinking any water for about 48 hours. This will also depend on how hot and humid it is in the environment around them. After 48 hours, heat stress, dehydration, and shock will set in.
Like all other living things on this earth, water is one of the most important parts of keeping your chickens healthy. This article will take a deep dive into why your chickens need consistent access to water and what will happen if they don’t get it.
Table of Contents
How Long Can a Hen Go Without Food and Water?
Hens are much more sensitive to a lack of hydration, especially hens that need the water in order to lay eggs. Hens that go for too long without water will start struggling to lay and eventually not be able to lay eggs at all.
A healthy adult hen will need access to at least a pint of water each day and nearly a quart in hotter, more humid environments.
How Long Can Baby Chicks Go Without Water?
Baby chicks are generally kept in a small space with the other newly hatched chickens with a heat lamp to keep them warm. Because of this, having cool, clean water is crucial for keeping them alive.
The little chickens are very fragile and can die within hours of not getting enough water.
Can Chickens Go without Food and Water Overnight?
Chickens, like us, sleep throughout the night and will not have any need to eat or drink during that time frame. However, they are early risers and will need fresh water and food first thing in the morning and available to them throughout the day.
Can Chickens Die from Dehydration?
Chickens can die from dehydration, and it can be quick and quite painful. There are many symptoms to watch out for that could be signals of dehydration.
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Pale Comb
- Pale Wattle
- Panting
- Labored breathing
- Seizures
- Limpness
- Holding wings away from the body
When temperatures become extremely hot (above 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more), your chicken struggles to regulate their body temperature fast enough to keep them from overheating. This will eventually cause discomfort and then dehydration if it’s not dealt with as soon as possible.
What Should You Do if Your Chicken Has Been Left Without Water?
The first thing you should do after noticing your chicken has gone for a period of time without access to water is provide them with cool, fresh, clean water right away. If your chickens do not seem to be in any distress and continue to move around and hens are laying eggs, there isn’t much else you need to worry about.
If your chickens seem like they may be suffering from heat stress or the onset of dehydration, you will want to cool the bird immediately. The quickest and most effective way to do this is to submerge it into a bucket of cool water. This will immediately bring the chicken’s body temperature back down and should quickly get them back on their feet.
Once your chicken is out of the immediate danger zone, you need to continue replacing electrolytes lost during dehydration. You can do this simply by adding electrolyte solution into their water container for a few days or up to a week.
How to Prevent Dehydration in a Chicken When it is Hot Outside
Trying to keep your chickens alive and healthy throughout the hot summer months can be a difficult task. Because these birds are so susceptible to heat, it is imperative to stay on top of hydration.
Provide Fresh Clean Water
Chickens will refuse to consume dirty, unkempt drinking water. So, it is crucial that you are replacing old, stale water, or water that becomes contaminated with debris and dirt frequently. If the water has anything in it that shouldn’t be there, or that taints the taste of the water, your chickens will stop drinking.
You should also consider cleaning out their water containers in the chicken coop frequently to keep their water source sanitary.
Cool, Refreshing Water is Key
It is also imperative you keep their water cool and fresh. Chickens prefer cool water and may not drink room temperature water. Because of this, you will want to make sure you are refiling their water containers frequently throughout the hotter months.
Add Electrolytes to Your Chicken Water
You can help prevent dehydration in your chickens by adding electrolytes to their diets, especially during hot summers. The best way to do this is by purchasing electrolyte packets from a pet store.
Why is Water So Important for Your Chickens?
Besides the obvious, all living things need water to survive. Chickens need water to maintain energy for daily life to be active, lay eggs and even molt. They need water to maintain their body temperature in order to stay healthy and alive.
Water also plays a massive role in your chicken’s digestion. They need plenty of water in their crop to help moisten food and make it digestible. Just as importantly, water helps allow waste to move through their digestive tract a lot smoother, making it easier to expel.
Finally, water plays a vital role in a hen’s ability to form and lay eggs properly. Without the right amount of water, hens may not be able to produce or lay their eggs. Furthermore, if they do end up laying eggs, they will likely form irregularly, and the chicks inside may suffer.
Summing Things Up
Most adult chickens can go for 1-2 days without water and remain healthy once getting fresh, clean, and cool water back into their systems. However, we highly recommend that your flock have access to water all day long and only removing the source overnight.
