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

This 3 gallon poultry fountain is thermostatically controlled to operate only when necessary and...
Pros: Holds 2 gallons + water and does not freeze.
Cons: It's heavy and has a flat top - just begging for chickens to perch and poop. Getting the bottom on and flipping over is kind of a trick. I learned how to keep the waterer from coming unlatched and dumping.
I own one of these and it seems like a good idea. I always fill it up, and then it is really heavy to move and tip out daily. We have ours up on blocks, plugged straight into an outlet.
You have to be very careful about tipping it out, or it will come apart. This is no different from the metal waterers which can come undone and the Harris waterers which you have to flip. But we are using it constantly.
Purchase Price
Was a gift
Purchase Date
January 2019
Pros: None
Cons: Leaks, bottom falls off when you fill and turn over
Horrible! Used very briefly and stopped using it because of fear of getting shocked due to leaking and bottom falling off.
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Pros: None
Cons: Too many
Buy a heated dog dish instead. This design has too many things wrong with it, two being: the cord is way too short, and the base doesn't fasten properly causing huge spills. Not something I had a lot of patience to deal with in subzero temperatures.
Pros: Easy to clean, keeps water from freezing
Cons: Cumbersome to plug in, prefer having a cord. Problems with turning over after filling-tends to come apart. Handle not sturdy enough to carry filled waterer. Would like a wider rim for water so it’s easier for chickens to drink
Pros: Water never froze if the GFI didn't trip.
Cons: Constantly came apart on me, and that bottom fill.
I bought 2 at the beginning of the winter and they constantly came apart on me. And getting soaked outside in freezing temperatures SUCKS!! It also would've been much better to put the fill hole on top, rather than the bottom.
Purchase Price
45.99
Purchase Date
November 2017
Pros: Never ever had the water freeze and it’s been a very cold winter so far! Coldest we have had was -15F the other night and water was fine!
Cons: Every so often the base falls off when carrying it to the coop.
Overall very happy with this item. It keeps the water from freezing. Only complaint is the plastic handle so you cannot hang it and if you don’t latch the base just right you spill water. Also you need to make sure the waterer is level in your coop or it will leak water all over!
Purchase Price
$40
Purchase Date
October 2017
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Pros: Water doesn't freeze
Cons: Thin plastic, cheap construction, bottom fill
This feeder is not built strongly enough to securely hold together when filled with a full 3G of water. The weight will pull the top off while moving/maneuvering and you will end up with 3G of water all over you, your run, your coop, etc. Usually when it's below freezing.
Also, it is a bottom fill, which is pretty awkward, wet, and messy. I didn't see this listed in the description, where I purchased it from.
The heating element seems to work well and has a nice heavy duty cord. That's why I gave it 2 stars.
We are already looking for a better option and will not use this again next year.
I'm leaving this review so others are forewarned. It will hold 2G without falling apart, but it's supposed to hold a full 3G.
Glad I got this on sale & didn't pay full price, lol
Purchase Price
$25
Purchase Date
Oct. 2017
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Pros: It really keeps the water from freezing even in 20 below temps! Lasts several days.
Cons: I learned that I have to carry it to the coop upside down because if I bump it against something on the way, it can come apart and there goes the water.
I love this waterer. Living in Northern Minnesota our temps get well below freezing and since I work during the day, I can't keep switching waterers. It works great even in 20 below temps or more. It lasts for about three days with 5 hens. I do end up refilling it before it runs out so maybe could go 4 days but I never risked it.
Purchase Price
$40
Purchase Date
2016
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Pros: Has always kept our water from freezing, so far
Thermostatic switch -- automatically turns off when temps above freezing
Good capacity -- don't need to refill as often
Cons: Can be bit heavy / awkward to carry when fairly full
Pricey to buy, new
We have experimented with several different types of heated waterers for winter usage, and this one has been about the most popular with us, so far. We've used it for 3 winters now, and is still working fine. Red plastic base has sun-faded a bit, but not cracked or deteriorated functionally yet. We only use it in winter, though -- have found it easier switch back to a couple smaller 1 gallon unheated waterers for use during the summer.

I especially like the built in thermostatic switch -- you just plug it in and forget about it. It will only turn on / apply heat when necessary (i.e. whenever outside temps fall below freezing) -- automatically remains off when warmer out.

We place ours on top of a short stack of square paving bricks, with a dense foam pad placed at top of bricks for waterer base to sit on (i.e. to help insulate base from heat conduction into the cold rock below). As others have noted, the brick base needs to be fairly level to avoid spillage issues. I would NOT recommend hanging this one from the plastic handle if fairly full of water -- it will be too heavy.

When fairly full of water, it can be somewhat weighty and awkward to carry. In this case, recommend only partially filling the font before carrying -- makes it easier, especially for smaller and/or younger folk. I find it easiest to fill the font with the base off, screw the base back on while upside-down, and then carry entire assembly still upside-down back to the coop before flipping back over and placing on the brick base. Once again, if too tricky / awkward for some, try it with less water to see if that helps.
Purchase Price
Around $35, from TSC
Purchase Date
Fall 2014
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Pros: It's keeping the water unfrozen
Cons: Pain to fill
I've only had this heated waterer for about a month so my opinion may change at some point. For now, it's working fine. It has kept the water unfrozen during the few times (so far) that our weather has been in the teen's. I'm in WY so I'm sure this waterer will get a workout!

Just like any other bottom-fill waterer, it's kind of a pain to fill. But I do like that it holds enough water to take care of my small flocks needs for 2-3 days.

This was the only heated waterer available in the couple of farm stores closest to me. After reading the previous reviews, I did order a heated pet bowl from Amazon as a back up in case this one bites the dust. Always good to have a back up!

Update 10-2018: This waterer worked all last winter but this fall when I needed it, the white jug part that holds the water cracked and wouldn't hold water without leaking (the base with the warming element still worked). I found it's not possible to purchase just the white jug part, not at the store where I bought the waterer or online through Farm Innovators. Because this is the only heated waterer available in the 2 WY towns I checked and didn't have time to wait for an online delivery of a different heated waterer, I went ahead and purchased another one of these ($47) but also paid a few bucks extra for a free replacement if needed, that's good for 2 years.
Pros: It works...
The chord wraps around its base when not in use
The girls can pick at the shiny prongs when not in use
It holds a lot of water
Cons: Short chord
Water Plug wears out
Falls apart easily
Purchased this because we needed a larger fount, and quickly found it to be less than useful.
Depending on where you place it, (we like to keep founts available from all sides) you may have to run an extension chord in the bedding for it.
Until you get the hang of it, it is tricky to fill. You will definitely have it come apart on you at least once when you are flipping it over.
And don't use the black plug in the base to fill. Once that wears out, you need to get your Macgyvering skills out to seal it properly.
It does keep the water from freezing, but only because we use supplemental heating in the coop. I don't know if that element would work to keep the upper areas of the fount from freezing in more northern climes such as ours.
Purchase Price
39.99
I needed a heated waterer for crazy NE Ohio winters. I liked that this had a built in thermometer so it wouldn't be on all the time, only when needed. It's been through 2 winters and has never failed. (Even though my chickens knock it over frequently.)
It can be a pain to fill. If you fill the top part and then try to put the bottom on its hard to get it to line up properly. I always take it apart to clean it so I've gotten in the habit of putting the bottom on then using the port to fill it. The handle for carrying and hanging seems flimsy to me. (Why it's not hung and they are able to knock it over)
I feel safer not having the metal "hot plate" style heater. Not perfect but what I prefer it over other options.
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Pros: does stop water from freezing
Cons: bad design,
We needed a water fountain that wouldn't freeze so for $35.99 I bought this. First off the little plug thing which it states to use to fill, hmmm tried it once after spending 5 Min's trying to get the dang thing out, then another 5 trying to put it back in not again. Then you flip it one small twist and 3 gallons of water has just gone over you. I now fill the plastic fountain and then apply the base. The problem is the locking mechanism is held on with a wing and a prayer so again as soon as you turn it over you can bet your bottom dollar you will get wet at least once. The plastic is flimsy and the handle I am waiting for it to fall off. The cord is incredibly short and unlike the dog water bowls the cord is not protected. Now I do use it in freezing weather because I have to and it does work to stop the freezing. But I cannot wait not to need it and I love cold weather.
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Pros: It does keep water thaw down to single digits Farenheit.
Cons: Leaks, comes apart, seal fails.
You have to use a level because the water port is at nearly the same height as the rim and any slight lean and all the water will leak out.
The tabs holding the two pieces together are so short and narrow and the reservoir so thin and flimsy that it frequently comes apart when you turn it over after filling. It isn't fun filling your boots with water when it is 0F outside.
I bought 2 of these and because they're such a pain to use, I avoid using them unless absolutely necessary. I keep them in the basement so not exposed to UV radiation. In spite of this, the one I've only used twice sprung a leak on the top so it won't hold water no matter what I do.
It will keep water thaw in mildly freezing temperatures but not worth a fraction of the cost.
Purchase Price
80.00
Purchase Date
2013-11-15
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Pros: I can't think of any
Cons: Poor construction, design and extremely difficult to use.
What a waste of money. Its like they didn't even have any idea what the end product was supposed to be used for and just made it "look good". I'd lay odds that no one who designed this thing had ever owned a chicken.

The tabs that hold the top on are very loose and don't hold anything in place. 9 times out of 10 when the waterer is filled and flipped top side up the bottom pops off and drenches your legs and feet as well as the run. I never did get the top to stay on if i filled the waterer even half full.

The plastic of the top is also extremely soft and floppy in warm weather, it adds to the difficulty of keeping the top on when its flipped over. Then if you do get lucky and it stays together the water level in the drinking area is so high even a tiny bit off level all the water leeks out. When the weather gets cold the plastic turns so hard it becomes brittle. With the temperatures only in the lower 40's I pooped the top onto the ground preparing to fill it and the top just shattered. I never did get to try the heated base. To be honest i am afraid to plug it in.
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Pros: effectively prevents icing
Cons: comes apart easily, makes a mess, hard to fill and carry
We bought this from our local farmer's coop and it is not getting used again. It was better than frozen water, but not by much. We had to change clothes for work many mornings when the base popped off while carrying it and spilled water all over us. It is hard to fill, and very hard to flip over to carry it or place it in the coop. More often than not, the bottom would pop off and the water would go everywhere. We are definitely looking into something different for next winter.
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Pros: durable; water didn't freeze; easy to clean; non-corrosive; has legs on top for stable filling
Cons: The "flip" takes some practice.
I will admit that I have managed to spill a bit when trying to flip this over. The trick is to make good and sure that all 4 of the little tabs are secured and then to flip in the direction that keeps them secured. (If you flip the wrong direction, the tabs will slide out and the top won't be secure)
I do this just outside the coop, so that if I do spill, I am not making a mucky mess inside.
I have heard reviews for a similar waterer that said that the handles can fall off. I haven't had this happen, but I don't carry it too far, and I try not to do much moving to prevent dislodging the tabs. I have mine set on 4 paver stones so it's high enough up not to get bedding or dirt kicked into it, but isn't relying on the handle to hold it up all the time.
This one has survived 2 winters and shows no signs of falling apart. If it were to conk out, I would buy another.
Pros: Keeps water from freezing well
Cons: Poor design, cheaply made
Bought this waterer about 6 weeks ago. It's done it's job to keep the water from freezing even in the record cold we've had here in Wisconsin this year. The cord is very short. It becomes an art to try to refill it from the bottom port, flip it over and carry it back into the coop and still have water left in it for the chickens to drink! Daughter refilled it this weekend, but wiped out on the ice with it and broke the tank. Don't think I'll replace (can't find a replacement tank anyway), but may find a way to use th base under my usual waterer. Advice - save your money and look for something better.
Pros: It works. It does keep the water from freezing in the coop.
Cons: Poor design, cheap materials, and hard to use.
This product is very poorly designed. The fittings are flimsy and make it very difficult not to have a major spill or get wet while trying to fill and turn the container right-side up for use. It does work to keep the water freezing but next time I will get another font heater base instead.
Purchase Date
2013-12-03
Pros: heated
Cons: top separates from base easily, spilling water everywhere
Design is awful. More than once I've had the top separate from the base when flipping over to place in the coop, soaking everything. I absolutelty hate mine.
Purchase Price
50.00
Purchase Date
2012-12-03
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