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

Positive Reviews

Black Cochin Bantams

Heated waterer

Posted
By Black Cochin Bantams

Pros: It works , easy to see how much water left

Cons: not easy to fill without spilling,

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.
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BrineChickFarm

So glad I purchased this!

Posted
By BrineChickFarm

Pros: Keeps water thawed - chickens are drinking more

Cons: I don't like the locking mechanism - first time I used it I spilled the whole thing all of the coop floor

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!!
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rendezvous1838

Works Great For Me

Posted
By rendezvous1838

Pros: keeps water liquid, large

Cons: none

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.  
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Negative Reviews

nikki1

Ugh...what a disappointment

Posted
By nikki1

Pros: Can't think of any...

Cons: short cord, flimsy plastic, hard to refill...what a pain!

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.
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thechickonthehill

Disappointing Design

Posted
By thechickonthehill

Pros: None

Cons: Hard to fill, hard to carry, hard to plug in.

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.
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karimw

Difficult to deal with

Posted
By karimw

Pros: Heated

Cons: hard to fill without making a mess.

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.
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More Reviews

Jackandwhitey

Does the job

Posted
By Jackandwhitey

Pros: Always keeps the water thawed, easy to see water level

Cons: Is hard to fill

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.
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DDNONIN2016

Love this waterer - I have 3 of them

Posted
By DDNONIN2016

Pros: easy to fill, can add ACV, wide trough makes it easier for crested breeds to drink

Cons: little heavy to carry any distance, short cord

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.
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backyardcelia

does the job, when stationary

Posted
By backyardcelia

Pros: price is right, space saving, not many better alternatives

Cons: does not hang well, tricky to maneuver, does not have poo guard

i bought this in a pinch (unexpected weather) and before reading any reviews... i didn't see too many alternatives. i haven't had any luck with hanging feeders or waterers, in general they seem to be messy for me, so i cannot complain about that... but, when it arrived i was baffled by it's design.  however it did not take long to get used to filling it (even if my hose is not frozen, i use a jug to fill it) and flipping it (you have to be mindful of where you place it when filling, otherwise you immediately end up with dirt or snow in the dish!), while i wouldn't fill it in the coop and it is rather heavy when full, it is fine for the price and most...
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Island Roo

Ahhhhhhhggg - not again

Posted
By Island Roo

Pros: Ice-free water

Cons: Everything gets wet, pain in the ....

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...
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MsBagawkbagawk

Well, It Works, but isn't really great

Posted
By MsBagawkbagawk

Pros: Keeps ice off, doesn't get water too hot, thermostatically controlled

Cons: Awkward to carry and fill, Short cord, questionable construction

We bought this at a local farm store mostly because it was the cheapest option. We had gone through a lot of normal waters because the ice would crack them and were sick of it. Our other option was to buy a galvanized one and a heating plate, but that would have been over $100, too much IMO. So we played about $30 for this one. I love that the bottom part is flexible, so if the power goes out or it is not plugged in, ice won't break it as easily as others. The top however is very thin and somewhat flimsy. Filling it is awkward too. There is a plug on the base, so you can fill it, then turn the top slightly so the hole is covered, plug it up, tip it over and carry it in. Well, the...
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PressOn

good concept

Posted
By PressOn

Cons: cheep plastic tank

Bought this new. Filled it up in the house. Carried it from the base upside down. the tank detached and broke on the second use. The base is great and solid, the top tank is cheep plastic and does not stay attached well to the base. This product is a great concept with cut corners in the design and tank quality. The product never made it to winter.
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galefrances

Wish I had read this site first

Posted
By galefrances

Pros: keeps water heated...so they say

Cons: spills constantly

I purchased this because MPC said it was very good from all the ones they tried. Well, I don't know if it will heat water as stated because it's summer. But I can tell you that you have to carry it upside down until you get to the coop, then quickly flip it over outside the coop, then very carefully, very slowly place it in the coop. The problem is the tray fills completely to the top and spills over with any tiny movement. I hate it. When winter comes I'm buying a galvanized water-er and putting a heating cookie tin under it. I found DIY instructions on "The ChickenChick" blog I read.
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Ranchnanny

Hard to use.

Posted
By Ranchnanny

Pros: Heated and nice size

Cons: Pricey and comes apart

I just purchased this at our local feed store. I picked this waterer because of the heat source to keep the water from freezing. I find is very poor design having to flip it over to fill it and then to turn it over again. When you turn it right side up water is running out of it and then somettimes the top comes apart from the bottom flooding the pen.... Disgusted going to town to find a better waterer. SIGH!!!
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Queen of the chickens

My chickens like it.

Posted
By Queen of the chickens

Pros: Works as intended, cord storage, nice size, plug for bottom filling.

Cons: Pricey, not as durable as metal,

We purchased this last fall to use in our smaller coop.  It worked well for us.  I found it a little cumbersome to handle when full (3 gallons is about 24lbs. - I think.) and it is hard to balance on it's top to fill from the bottom.  As long as it holds up to wear and tear, I am happy with this product. 
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connie001

Waste of money. Do not buy.

Posted
By connie001

Pros: Water does not freeze if it doesn't fall apart

Cons: Will not stay together well.

 I used this product most of the winter until it fell apart and the top cracked. The problem is that when you fill it and attempt to turn it over and set it down, the two halves will fall apart spilling water all over. It happened multiple times, no matter how careful you are. Very frustrating. Next year I will find something that works better. Don't waste your money. It's not worth it. Wish it did stay together.
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Where to Buy It

Amazon.comFarm Innovators "All-Seasons" Heated Plastic Poultry Fountain - 3 Gal. Model HPF-100, 100-Watt at Amazon.com$33.09See It »
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