Automatic King Size Poultry Fount - 2550

You first need to understand the function of the valve used. It is like a tire valve. You need to get a tire valve tool which is really small and inexpensive and tighten the little valve on the inside of the shaft. Once that is done, set the two nuts tightly together and that determines how high the water gets. I have a whole system of these and they are awesome. Periodically you will have to readjust the valve and clean out the bowl. They also shouldn't be set on the floor but raised up to beak height. There is a shallow bowl made for little chicks as well. It's a shame that they didn't include instructions on how to use the valve with the product.
The other thing is they need to be cleaned out about once a week to keep the water fresh. I just take the bowl off and clean it and put it back on.

Thank you for the tip! I will find a tire valve tool and try again-- if that's what's needed I wish they would have included one like some companies include things like allen wrenches-- definitely not in the directions. Did have it installed at beak height, and the chickens liked drinking from it, that was never the issue.

I do know there is one for chicks- I was talking mostly to folks who set things like this up for the flock and forget about how deep it is- like forgetting that the fish pond is kind of a pool too - and one way or another have little chicks enter the flock. Better safe than sorry.

I understand the concern for chicks. Mine are set up just about where the hens can drink without bending their neck. I have 14 of them all plumbed in permanently. I can't say they are perfect but it has saved me so much time and I know the birds have water. Once in a while one will start leaking again. I just take it off the bowl, tighten the valve and it's good. Another thing that can happen is the girls get some feed in it from their beaks and that has plugged the water flow. Usually I just take the bowl off and push the little valve stem and it blows out some water and clears it out.
I wouldn't have had a clue about this either if my significant other hadn't looked at it and known something about tire valves.

These are excellent waterers. the valve problems referred to below were likely fixable by adjustment. But it takes a bit to understand how these things work. They are ideally hooked up to a fixed, pressurized water line. A vertical 1/2 inch pipe nipple, standard threads, and this will screw right on. (Use Teflon tape, a rubber washer and a wrench to tighten it snugly. Not too tight as it is brass and will crack. The adjustments are made along the threaded bottom section. There is, as mentioned, a tire valve insert that functions to open and close and let the water through. This has to be screwed in tight so it does not leak, then the bowl is adjusted so that when full, it pulls down and allows the tire valve to close. (The valve opens when the weight lessens, and the bowl comes up, and pushes in on pin of the tire valve, letting water (instead of tire air) flow through and into the bowl. It is a good system but it requires a bit of handiness and it is undeniably better in a fixed situation, not off a bucket or a hose. If you have outdoor plumbing installed in your coop, these are a good fixture. The tire valves cost less than a buck each and are readily available at any auto parts store. They generally are sold with the tool to adjust them. This tool is also useful on the waterer as you can use it to install and tighten or remove, the tire valve.

Thanks for reviewing Ill steer clear of this one