Water consumption rates for chickens

Water is an essential nutrient for life. Water consumption can be limited if the water is too hot or is contaminated with excess minerals. Water and food consumption rates are interdependent, so reduced water intake can also lead to reduced food intake. There are other factors that affect water intake, with temperature being the most obvious one. For example, chickens drink between 30-50% more water when the environmental temperature is above 32^oC compared with when it is 21^oC.  Water intake is also affected by the type of drinkers used. The rule of thumb for water intake is that water intake is usually 1.5 to 2 times feed intake. Tables 1 and 2 provide data on typical water consumption levels for layers and broilers, respectively, at 21^oC.

Table 1. Typical daily water consumption for layers

Production Stage	Age/Rate of Production	Litres of water per 1000 birds at 21oC
Layer pullet	4 weeks	100
	12 weeks	160
	18 weeks	200
Laying hens	50% production	220
	90% production	270

Source: Poultry CRC

Table 2. Typical daily water consumption for broilers at 20^oC (litres per 1000 mixed sex birds)

	Age (weeks)
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Water Intake (litres)	65	120	180	245	290	330	355	370

Source: Poultry CRC