I have used the following approach, which requires no signs. This is a cross sectional view, you can repeat this pattern as many times as you want.

DC C CD         <-chickens
DWFFFFD         <-chicken pool water
DDDDDFDD        
DDDDDFFFFFFF    <-collection Stream 
DDDDDDDDDDDDD   <- Collection point on top of last D in this diagram
Legend:
D -> dirt
C -> Chicken 
W -> Water Source
F -> Flowing Water

I have used the following approach, which requires no signs, and only one water source per "slice". This is a cross sectional view (or a slice), you can repeat this pattern as many times as you want.

DC C CD         <-chickens
DWFFFFD         <-chicken pool water
DDDDDFDD        
DDDDDFFFFFFF    <-collection Stream 
DDDDDDDDDDDDD   <- Collection point on top of last D in this diagram
Legend:
D -> dirt
C -> Chicken 
W -> Water Source
F -> Flowing Water