Farm Innovators "All-Seasons" Heated Plastic Poultry Fountain - 3 Gal. Model HPF-100, 100-Watt

For summer I have a metal fount. For Christmas I asked for a heated base for my fount, and DH came home with this.  I didn't complain, and we gave it a try.  By mid-January we gave it up in favor of breaking ice every morning.  It's hard to refill without getting soaked, and it's made of some pretty seriously cheap materials.  I think I'll get a font base this winter.

I was very disappointed in this waterer.  It is difficult to fill using the bottom opening.  If you remove the base to fill, it is very difficult to get the base back on.  It is also hard to carry without sloshing water everywhere.  The plug is located in the base (no cord) so I worry about getting shocked when I attach the extension cord to it.  I switched to heated dog water bowls for my chickens this year and am much happier with them.

For me this waterer to be a huge disappointment. I find it to be difficult to fill without using a hose. It sloshes everywhere when you turn it over and the bottom has popped completely off on me twice dumping its contents all over. I did not find it to be a good replacement to the metal waterers and heated base.

I own 5 of these. I only use in the winter. They do keep water from freezing. My 2 oldest ones did not have short cords factory attached to the base. Those are more prone to popping the circuit breaker than any of the newer type that have a short cord attached. I hung them from the ceiling the first 2 years. That made them easier to splash the bedding and more cleanup.  I now have them on solid blocks which solved the problem caused by hanging them. They work well for winter conditions. They don't cost as much to run as some heated water bases. Can not be used outside where wind will chill faster that base can keep water thawed.

I appreciate having this waterer.  I did not find an alternative where I live.  At first I had a very hard time filling.  The small hole with a plug is so slow to fill and sometimes I didn't get it back in tight enough and lost the water.  I started taking the whole base off and filling and so many time I lost all the water when I flipped it over.  Now I just take my time and fill it with a garden hose.  I am just glad to have water for the chickens, no matter how cold.

The week before we were expecting it to be 15 to 20 below zero, I decided to purchase this from Agway. I was having to go out several times a day in 15-32 (above 0) degree weather to chop ice so the chickens could get some water, and I felt they weren't drinking enough. My suspicions were confirmed when the coldest day of the year (20 below zero), I got 9 eggs, and I only have 9 hens. By that time I had the waterer a couple days and I was having to refill it every other day so I knew they were drinking a lot more, and in addition laying more eggs! I am SO GLAD I purchased this!!

I have the water-er set up inside of my coop for winter use.  It has keept water in the liquid state all winter even when the outside temp was 15 below zero Ferinheight, there was just a little ice on the edge.

I fill it half full and it lasts my 4 chickens a week or more,  At that point it needs to be cleaned anyway.  I have it setting on a concrete block so it is elevated above the wood shavings getting scratched around.

I have had no issues with spilling or seperations like some folks.  I carry it red side up and it is not hanging by the loop.

I have 3 of these. They are all placed on cinder blocks against a wall. Have never had any trouble with any of them leaking or with chickens dirtying them. I remove the entire bottom to fill then attach the bottom and flip it. I even have one in a covered outdoor run with just a bale of straw to block the west wind and it stayed thawed at near 0*F. Barring any electrical malfunction I anticipate these lasting a good long time.

There is nothing to keep the base attached to the top. After filling with water, you have to hold the two pieces together as you flip it. Since the top is a bit flimsy it will sometimes come apart while flipping - even when completely focused on the task. Ahhhhhhhggg - not again - 3 gallons of water on the previously dry coop floor in sub-zero temperatures.

The handle on top is a flimsy plastic - certainly not meant to hold 3 gallons of water.

I could see some of the design deficiencies when I bought it but it was the only heated water option available locally at the time.  Still - I did not expect it to fall apart so easily.

Complete lack of creativity in a poorly designed product from Farm Innovators.