Best waterer for your chickens?

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The floor of my run is dirt, so that wouldn't last for 5 seconds before having dirt kicked in it. Also, if you are using it outdoors, it will grow algae very quickly. There are chicken ball waterers similar to that design but they are opaque plastic (they still get algae) and they have a hanger so you can mount them high to stop the chickens kicking dirt in or putting their food in it.

The waterers I have now are plastic 15L water jugs with drinking cups attached. They are great, I don't have to worry about them drinking it dry, they are easy to refill because the cap is on the top and the cups just need to be squirted out with the hose if/when it gets sand in it.

I still have a ball waterer in the little house run for overnight, but I've gone for the others in the big runs.
 
Seems rather expensive for what looks like a cheap plastic feeder/waterer. Ebay does not yet have a decent review system, so you can read what others have said about such a product. A feed store will have a similar one (though not as cute!) for about $8-$10.

For about $12, a couple everyday tools and a few minutes, you can make your own waterer, using chicken nipples. The nipples won't work for ducks, though, not sure if your question was for your ducks too.

You can get free buckets (5 gal in this photo) from a grocery store deli/bakery, the horizontal nipples on ebay for about $12 shipped. A drill and a couple drill bits and a block to rest the bucket on are all you need. I've been using this for a couple years now. Note, the thing inside the bucket is the de-icer I use in winter. I remove it for summer time. Also, the handle is hung in this photo, but I no longer need to do that in my current setup. The silvery wrapping is just insulation, but that is not necessary either.



 
Yes, you can make your own with nipples or cups, pdirt's and my waterers both have the advantage of having a decent size so that you aren't always filling them up. Both the nipples and cups avoid the problem of them spilling everything, or filling it up with dirt, which the "trough-style" units have.

This is what I've got. The advantage was it was up-and-running the minute I got it back from the shop and screwed in the fixtures. The disadvantage compared to pdirt's is the cost is higher than making your own (if you already have the tools)

http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/15L-Water-Drum-with-Bung.aspx?pid=374243#Recommendations

http://www.dineachook.com.au/products/Dine-a-Chook-Single-Outlet-Lubing-Cup-Drinker-%2d-3-Pack-.html

Whatever you decide, go for something that you aren't constantly having to refill and put it where they can't spill it or kick dirt in. Opaque is best to reduce/prevent algae growth.
 
ah okay thanks going to try it out. yep mine is dirt as well on the ground and it will get dirtied pretty quickly going to try out the suggestions . Ty
 
when i built my coop i added in a couple of support beams just so i can hang the feeders

or you can use something to elevate the feeders as well

personally i think it's a lot easier and space saving if you can hang the feeders. My chickens like to lie under the water feeder during the afternoon.

use a chain and hook so it's adjustable-- as they grow adjust it to keep it at the same level as their back.

Also to prevent feed waste get a feeder with the dividers
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/se...reeShipStore&gclid=CM-lpL2Z7swCFZNgfgodMEoHdA

 

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