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How to Make Your Own Waterers for Chickens Out of Recyclables

When chicks are young they are prone to falling into their water dishes. At times they even drown in the water. A better watering solution for them is a water dish that has a narrow water surface area and provides them a continuous source of fresh water. Although commercial automatic water dispensers are available in feed stores, you can make your own from recyclable plastic containers. Making your own saves you money and saves your chicks. The design can be used for mature chickens, too.

Things You'll Need

Plastic soda bottle, 1-liter size, with cap
Screwdriver
Plastic milk jug, gallon size
Hot glue gun and glue stick

Instructions

- 1
  Find a recycled plastic, liter-size soda bottle with tight-fitting cap. The chicken waterer will not work if the cap is not water-tight. Find a recycled plastic milk jug. Remove the label from the soda bottle. Wash both bottles well and rinse thoroughly.
- 2
  Punch a hole in the side of the soda bottle 2 inches from the bottom with a screwdriver. The hole should be about 1/4 inch in diameter.
- 3
  Cut the bottom off the plastic milk jug to make a flat dish. The sides of the dish should be 2.5-inches tall. If the sides are any taller, baby chicks may not be able to reach the water.
- 4
  Glue the soda bottle upright in the center of the milk jug dish with hot glue.
- 5
  Fill the soda bottle with water. Place it where the chickens can drink from it.

Animals & Science