Water a day
3381,279.5gallonsliters
- 20 of them drink about 338 gallons a day: 16.9 gallons each.
- In a week, that is 2,366 gallons.
- That is at 70 °F (21 °C). They drink more when it is hot.
Beef cattle: gallons a day by weather (NDSU)
| Cattle | 40 °F4 °C | 50 °F10 °C | 60 °F16 °C | 70 °F21 °C | 80 °F27 °C | 90 °F32 °C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Growing calf, 400 lb | 4.015 | 4.316 | 5.019 | 5.822 | 6.725 | 9.536 |
| Growing calf, 600 lb | 5.320 | 5.822 | 6.625 | 7.830 | 8.934 | 12.748 |
| Growing, 800 lb | 6.324 | 6.826 | 7.930 | 9.235 | 10.640 | 15.057 |
| Finishing, 600 lb | 6.023 | 6.525 | 7.428 | 8.733 | 10.038 | 14.354 |
| Finishing, 800 lb | 7.328 | 7.930 | 9.134 | 10.741 | 12.347 | 17.466 |
| Finishing, 1,000 lb | 8.733 | 9.436 | 10.841 | 12.648 | 14.555 | 20.678 |
| Pregnant cow, 900 lb | 6.725 | 7.227 | 8.331 | 9.737 | – | – |
| Pregnant cow, 1,110 lb | 6.023 | 6.525 | 7.428 | 8.733 | – | – |
| Cow nursing a calf, 900 lb | 11.443 | 12.648 | 14.555 | 16.964 | 17.968 | 16.261 |
| Bull, 1,400 lb | 8.030 | 8.633 | 9.937 | 11.744 | 13.451 | 19.072 |
| Bull, 1,600 lb | 8.733 | 9.436 | 10.841 | 12.648 | 14.555 | 20.678 |
In gallonsliters a head a day. From NDSU AS1763, adapted from the National Research Council. NDSU gives no pregnant-cow figure above 70 °F.
Questions
How much water does a cow drink a day?
A 900 lb beef cow nursing a calf drinks about 11 to 18 gallons a day, more in hot weather, says NDSU. A dairy cow giving 80 lb of milk drinks 30 to 36 gallons.
How much water does a horse drink?
A 1,100 lb horse that is not working drinks about 8 gallons a day at 68 °F, and about 13 at 86 °F. Work in the heat can take it past 20 gallons.
How much water does a goat drink?
Langston University says 1 to 3 gallons a day. Maine Extension says 2 to 4 gallons for sheep, llamas and goats.
How much water do chickens drink?
100 laying hens drink about 5.5 gallons a day at 68 °F, and about 10.6 at 90 °F, says Kentucky.
Why does heat matter so much?
Animals drink to stay cool. A 600 lb calf drinks 5.3 gallons at 40 °F, but 12.7 at 90 °F, NDSU says.
Sources
- NDSU Extension AS1763, Livestock Water RequirementsFeb 2026Water for beef by weight and weather, dairy by milk, horses, sheep and pigs
- Nebraska Extension G2292, water for dairy cattleSep 2017Dairy cows: about ½ gallon for every pound of milk
- Langston University, Water and Water Quality (goats)undatedGoats: 1 to 3 gallons a day
- University of Maine Extension, Livestock Water Supply2014Sheep, llamas and goats: 2 to 4 gallons a day
- University of Kentucky, Chapter 12: Water Quality (poultry)undatedChickens: gallons per 100 birds at 68 °F and 90 °F