Plastic 1 Quart Jar Waterer

I purchased four of these for brooder boxes and from day one have hated them.  Unless they are perfectly level (which is impossible on top of pine shavings) the water runs out and soaks the bedding.  It hardly weighs anything, so bigger (3 week +) birds knock it over easily.  There is ALWAYS droppings and shaving in the water.  When the birds are small, they step in it and poop, and when they are larger they perch on the top and do the same thing.  Even the small chicks fill it with shavings within minutes of being in the box, forget the older birds.  The water will NEVER be clean, it takes them about two seconds to dirty it up after you clean it out.  I wouldn't leave the house for more than a few short hours because I knew when I got back none of my chicks would have water.  Even over night I would get up and clean them out at LEAST once, usually more.

 

SPEND A LITTLE MORE AND GET A WATERER THAT WORKS!!!! IT'S NOT THIS ONE!

I use 1 quart mason jars for the top & just buy the reservoir bottom- and the mason jar is heavier so it doesn't tip. It's better for very young chicks (first few weeks) as they can't reach into the reservoir in the larger ones as successfully. I also raise these up a bit on a piece of 2x4 (that extends past the bottom so chicks can use that as a step until they're tall enough to reach over the lid- this keeps it elevated from the wood chips so they don't go in as easily. Plus these are easier to refill and wash than the huge ones that spill all over when you flip them around. These are great for short term use, esp with smaller flocks unless you get several to put throughout the brooder.

This would be better if it hanged so the chicks wouldn't get it so dirty.

. We have this in our brooder with 4, three-week old chicks and they've yet to tip it. It does get messy easily and when filled it will clog if you use shavings. It's easy to clean and maintain though and for what we need it for it is handy. I am thinking that we will get metal ones in the future as they seem to be a bit heavier.

I don't think this waterer is appropriate for larger chicks or chickens.  They would be able to knock it over, but for small chicks it is an inexpensive space saving option that works great.

This is a good water container for the brooder and is easy to use and maintain. Can be used multiple years and give your little chicks a place to roost. The chicks do get woodchips in it fast and it gets a little slimy in the base part.

This is a good waterer, but only good for about a month.  When the chicks get older they knock it over.

Nice and inexpensive. I rigged mine up with duct tape and wire so I could hang it. I figured out quickly that chicks are messy and like to jump up on things. By hanging this it prevented the chicks from jumping up and then pooping in the water and reduced other debris from getting into the trough.

I'd really like to see a hanging model.

i use this for my chicks that i hatch inside my house.  its great to use and easy to clean.  haven't had any issues with overflowing or breaking yet!  Need to get a few more to keep since i have had my other ones for a long time.