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

As others have said it comes apart too easily and needs to be VERY level. It does keep water from freezing. As with any open waterer they make a muddy mess of it fast.
Kept as a backup, but using horizontal nipples in buckets with stock tank heaters, cost less and far happier with the result.

Don't buy any Farm Innovators equipment. I bought their heated water bucket (different product than for above) for my ducks and it froze. Returned it to the store for another one which also froze. Was still frozen after sitting for a week until I could return it to the store. Then the bucket cracked. Luckily I had my reciepts and got a refund.

This model I am sure was designed by someone who hasn't a clue about designing a heated water heater for chickens. Seriously this is a BAD design. First time I filled the thing I got more water on me than in the device. There is no locking in to place and the first time I tried to hang it in the coop the plastic handle snapped. You have to fill it from the bottom--- why not fill from the top to save mess and aggravation? I paid 69.95 Cdn. for a piece of plastic garbage which no doubt is designed to self destruct after one winter season or earlier. Did it work? Partially, ice had formed on the top during a cold snap which is why I bought the thing in the first place. Wish the manufacturers would read this.

I have enough problems with the metal one that is designed for the cold climates on top of a heated base, would not even dream of using something like that unless your biggest low temp is say like 30F

Wish I would have read these reviews before getting one of these...DOH! I used to raise chickens in FL (no need for a heated waterer there) but this will be my first WY winter with chickens and it gets cold. Guess we'll see how it holds up, there weren't many options at the farm stores here.

Update 04-21-18
This product worked well for me all through the WY winter, so no complaints here!

Thanks for this information. I was about to buy this waterer. Im looking for a heated waterer for the winter. I guess I will keep looking.

After reading the reviews, I sent mine back. I didn't even open the box.
Then I purchased the Little Giant 5 gallon and the heater for winter.
Thanks for the reviews here.

I have used this waterer for 5 Wyoming winters with zero problems.
5 stars

I've had mine for 5 years and it still works perfectly. I love it.

mairin49 said:

This model I am sure was designed by someone who hasn't a clue about designing a heated water heater for chickens. Seriously this is a BAD design. First time I filled the thing I got more water on me than in the device. There is no locking in to place and the first time I tried to hang it in the coop the plastic handle snapped. You have to fill it from the bottom--- why not fill from the top to save mess and aggravation? I paid 69.95 Cdn. for a piece of plastic garbage which no doubt is designed to self destruct after one winter season or earlier. Did it work? Partially, ice had formed on the top during a cold snap which is why I bought the thing in the first place. Wish the manufacturers would read this.

Click to expand...

I don't hang mine. I set it on 2 bricks so it off the floor and stays cleaner.

I bought this waterer for my first winter....the water froze up as soon as it got cold. I just assumed it was a cheap waterer. I decided to return it to the store and get another one (the same model) on the chance that mine was defective. It turns out it was. My new waterer works great at keeping the water from freezing. I do agree, however, with some of the other reviewers. It is a pain to fill and it does come apart easily when carrying it. I have to be careful, otherwise, I'm glad to have it. I have supplemented my water needs with one of the those rubber bowls too.

I don't have the plastic, but the 5 gallon metal. I put between 3-4 gallons in it.
With a metal heater under it, the water has to be replaced every 2-3 days.
Dumped and rinsed out. Plus its low and the water is too warm for the birds.
So in goes another 3 gallons or so, and check the next day. Usually add another gallon.
I didn't trust using the plastic.

We bought 2 summer of 2016. It's a good thing chickens don't get offended by swearing! They constantly fell apart, usually as they were being placed in the coop, which entailed cleaning everything out in sub-zero temperatures. The final straw was when they decided to quit one after the other. On the bright side, I found a universal deicer that works well with both metal and plastic waterers, with a much longer cord. this is what I replaced them with: https://www.khpet.com/universal-waterer-deicer.html

It’s fine as long as you make sure the bottom is on correctly before turning it over. I also changed the plastic handle to a metal one for carrying purposes. Also, gotta be careful not to twist the cord bc it does wear out. Just bought my second one this season.

I have found that using a 150 watt Outdoor Spotlight hung over the top of the standard water dispenser about a foot works well. Adjust the height for your climate and coop. My waterer hangs by a chain from the 8ft ceiling, so no chance of fire. Use a porcelain or metal socket fixture for the light. Just enough heat to keep water from freezing. This will be useless if used outside or in a drafty extremely cold coop. I also have a 150 watt heat lamp in a porcelain base socket mounted on the ceiling on a timer so it is only on at night when needed. Just enough to keep my birds from freezing at night! Unfortunately winter is on it's way. August is here and kids are going back to school, so we need to be thinking about winterizing the Coop!

This item sounded good, until I read the reviews.
Thanks.

thanks for reviewing and all the comments. They let me know to steer clear of this one.