Water intake is one of the most useful daily signals on a poultry farm — and it's free to watch. A drop in drinking is usually the first sign that something is wrong.
The rule of thumb
Broilers drink roughly 1.6–2 parts water for every 1 part feed by weight. In hot weather that climbs higher — up to 2–3 times feed intake — so always provide more than you think you need.
A practical weekly guide
Rough water use per 100 birds, under normal temperatures:
- Week 1: 5–6 litres a day
- Week 2: 10–12 litres
- Week 3: 18–20 litres
- Week 4: 28–32 litres
- Week 5: 40–45 litres
- Week 6+: 55–65 litres
These are guides — heat, humidity and feed type all move the number up.
Why it matters
Birds that can't drink enough stop growing, and a sudden drop in water intake is an early warning of illness, stress or a blocked drinker line. Check drinkers daily.
Keep water clean and cool
Clean drinkers daily, keep them shaded, and never let the supply run dry — especially during heat stress. Clean water is the cheapest input on the farm.
Key takeaways
- Broilers drink about 1.6–2× their feed weight in water.
- Hot weather pushes water needs up to 2–3×.
- A drop in drinking is an early sign of trouble.
- Keep water clean, cool and always available.