Note: In extremely hot weather a good rule to follow is to provide at least three times the usual water allowance. WATER QUALITY Water quality is commonly overlooked as an important factor in caring for backyard chickens. Your chooks’ favourite drop should be fresh and free from chemical contaminants, water- borne parasites and infectious agents. Water with a high salt content is also not good for chickens, and can cause poor shell quality and wet litter. If you’re using surface water (dam, river or irrigation) or any water from a source that has potentially been contaminated by waterfowl and other wild birds, it must be sanitised first. Your produce store or pet-food store should have everything you need to do this. As a rule of thumb, try to give your flock water that you’d be happy to give a person! Portable and treated tap water is absolutely fine. It’s also a good idea to keep drinking water off the ground so it stays clean and free of droppings. WATER CONSUMPTION GUIDE Weekly Water Age intake per bird 1 week 200ml 5 weeks 750ml 10 weeks 1000ml 15 weeks 1100ml 20 weeks onward 1500ml Use the following table as a guide to how much your chooks are likely to drink. Bear in mind that actual consumption will depend on the size of bird, level of egg production, the season and the type of drinker you’re using. THE CHOOK BOOK | 35