Water: How Much, and Hot-Weather Support

Water is the number one nutrient, and the fastest way to crash a flock is to run out. A laying hen drinks roughly 500 ml (2 cups) per day at 70 F and doubles that above 90 F. Rules: refill daily, scrub the waterer weekly, keep it in the shade in summer and off the ground so bedding does not fall in. In freezing weather, use a heated base or swap out ice twice a day, dehydration in winter is a real killer that most owners miss. Add poultry electrolytes (or a homemade mix of 1 tsp sugar, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp baking soda per quart) during a heat wave, right after transport, or when a bird is recovering from illness. Never leave electrolyte water out longer than 8 hours, it grows bacteria. Frozen water bottles or a shallow pan of cool water for the flock to stand in helps on 95 F+ days. Apple cider vinegar (1 tbsp per gallon) once a week in a plastic waterer is a common flock-wellness trick, skip it in galvanized metal (leaches zinc).