1 Gallon Poultry Waterer

I agree...Hard to open and I had to use a kids table top to help keep shavings out. But, it was cheap, locally available and available NOW (I was waiting on my gravity feed system parts and needed something because they kept knocking over the baby waterers). It got a crack in the base with less than one month of use but luckily, my parts were here. I now use it as an extra waterer outside.

ive learned that if you hang it about an inch off the groud it eliminates the cleaning time by more than half. we only need to clean ours out when theyre close to being empty then we scrub them just before filling everytime.

ive learned that if you hang it about an inch off the groud it eliminates the cleaning time by more than half. we only need to clean ours out when theyre close to being empty then we scrub them just before filling everytime.

I hear you. I have to hold it with my feet to open and close it. And I bought TWO of the darn things.

why apple cider in the water? I must have missed something?

it's a good idea but how do i hang it?

@ Vixen, some people like to supplement their birds water with ACV for various reasons; http://poultrykeeper.com/health-suppliments/apple-cider-vinegar The main downside is it will corrode metal waterers.
Back on topic though, I've used this waterer too when I first started out. For very few birds it's okay but there are much better alternatives in plastic waterers for small flocks. The cons you listed are indeed very spot on. It's near impossible to thread back together which makes filling such a small waterer a massive chore. In addition to this and the inability to hang it - I had birds perching on it and crapping all over it and ultimately finally tossed it when the plastic base cracked because of a standard bird trying to perch on it (it was sitting on a cinderblock at the time). It's a waste of money in the long run I've found, even for a small flock.

I agree, and wish some company would make these with a stronger type of plastic. I'd rather spend a few more dollars at the onset to have a waterer that didn't need to be replaced entirely so often. We're in sunny South Florida where the conditions are harsh on plastic. I do try to keep them in the shadiest part of the pen, but they still wear out too soon.

Anyone know how to hang them easily?

That happened to me yesterday. I filled it, turned it over, and the bottom dropped off! What a mess. I hadn't planned on cleaning the coop that day, but since I had to swab out all the spilled water, I did. I now support the tray with my other hand when turning it.
It also has overflowed on several occasions, creating a wet coop floor. I think this product could be improved with a few more screw threads, a smoother interface for the tank and tray, and/or an O-ring. For now, I smear on Vaseline to help make a better seal.

This is a great waterer if i put it on a concrete brick laid on it's side, until winter. As soon as it begins freezing outside it cracks the bottom piece! In the winter only a rubber bowl works well, it gets so cold here I usually have to fill up the rubber containers 2-3 x's a day because they ice over so quickly! Otherwise 2 thumbs up!

Most annoying thing about this waterer is no handle, so cannot hang it, and picking it up to clean or change it hard to not spill water. I have a collection of waterers this one most irritating!

Hmm... :/

Tractor Supply has one that is similar. It has a handle. Hanging keeps it level. If those are on an incline you have to be sure the hole tha lets the water out is on the lower side or the water runs out on the low side before the hole is covered.

I've found that the easiest thing to use for a waterer is a dog or cat auto waterer. When the water in the pan gets dirty, just lift the water jug up, dump the nasty water and put the jug back on. VERY EASY!!

jadedphoenix this waterer is the same concept are the dog bowl ones...

Have you considered using nipple waterers?

could you glue one on or make a wire bale going down to the neck and back up? It bouthers me to so I don't use them much.

nipple wateriers are a joke where i am as soon as summer hits they clog completely with algae and i saw a chicken get crushed by a failed bucket system so it's out of the question. I am going to buy a 3 gal top fill soon.

I use these in my grow out pen for the chickens that are a bit older, but not adults yet. They don't tip over easily.