Plastic 1 Quart Jar Waterer

Plastic is good but I'd go for the glass jar because the weight is heavier and more stable when the chicks bump into it. I always raise the waterer on short pieces of 2x4, stacking up to 3 high as the chicks grow. It helps keep the bedding out of the water.

I have tried differnet feeders and waterers and have not liked any. I ended up with cardbd boxes weighted down with a heavy stone and elevated to back height, suggested by someone to reduce waste. I have also had the grainery reduce grinding to a fine mash. They leave it with hunks so it can't be wasted. The waterers are empty plastic bottles such as bleach, weighted again with a heavy stone and open only at the front top, leaving the handle intact. I keep a 100 watt bulb over them (with a shield) to keep them from freezing. My innovations work much better than anything I bought.

A plastic jug like a clorax one can be cut open at the top front up close to the lid and only at the front. Put a big stone in it for weight. Home mades are best! and free!

I bought one of that kind last year when I was raising the chicks.
Are great, but don't hold enough water when they get bigger.
I have a similar but larger one I use for them now.
Feed stores carry them.
I will comment that if the water gets low, they can manage to tip either one over..

you need to raise it up as they grow
that will help keep the poop & shavings out

put a piece of 2x6 under it to raise it. Don't raise any higher than the chicks' backs. Keep it pretty full and it won't tip too easily.

One trick is to get some small cookie tins that are slightly larger than where the base of the waterer meats the floor. Take the lids off, turn them upside down, nestle them into the bedding until in contact with flooring directly, then set your waterers on top of them. Works great. I have not had shavings in mine since and they set perfectly level.

I had tried a cookie tin, then upgraded to 9" round casserole that was even taller, but they still knocked it over and got shavings in it. Plus the tin and dish became just another thing to clean becasue they quickly got covered with poop. If it works for you, that's great! Many people left positive reviews so it works for some people, I just wasn't one of them. If it ain't broke...
After so many people complained at the local feed store, in addition to the owners having consistant problems with them, they finally started carrying a new design. The new waterer is awesome and it took care of all of the issues I had with this one.

I too really like them for the first 2 or 3 weeks. After the first week, I agree you need to boost it with something to prevent it getting dirty. I keep two and swap them, washing them in the dishwasher top shelf.

I would at least check out the new ones that hang. They are made by the same company, and you can use them from hatching through adulthood. By the time you get a mason jar and a 2x4 they're cheaper, too.

We had those laying around so only cost the $2 for the reservoir. I have the hanging one- and I like that, too!!

Remember, too, I said these small ones are good for the first few weeks- my babies can't reach the larger ones that hang. Those are better as the birdies get a bit bigger & drink more (less frequent refilling).

Just bought one of these as I was tired of the glass mason jar only being half full after you turn it over. Start with full mason jar, turn over, half of food goes in base and mason jar is only half full.
With the plastic one I could cut the top off so it can be top filled. Also punched a couple of small holes in the side so that I could use a wire hanger from the closet to hang it.
This mod allows me to not have to add food as often; base is full of food and the jar is full. This also keeps the chicks from kicking as much bedding into the food and as much food into the bedding.

You're talking about the food one, not the waterer.... I didn't know this one could be used for food? I just make my own feeder (for baby chicks) with the bottom of a large yogurt or ricotta plastic jug, cut holes in the bottom & sit the container in a larger plastic top overturned to prevent it from spilling all over. The top is easily removed to refill as needed. For my larger birds, I just use a 5-gallon jug (my cousin does dry-wall so I have unlimited access to those) & build a larger model of the one I do for baby chicks only the larger one needs to have a funnel secured inside so the food slides down easier. It takes a little time to build them but better than buying new ones when the stuff I have is free.

Yep. The plastic jar part will screw into either base. I've got the waterer haning in the brooder with a glass mason jar and the feeder hanging in the brooder with the plastic jar (with my own mods). Love the bases.

I'll have to try that! I went to TSC yesterday to get a few & they were all out- so we had to makeshift them with the yogurt containers. Since you're obviously DIY, got any tips on doing a feeder/water bowl that hangs from the side of a cage? I have a broody hen in our big dog crate but I want to put her food up on the side- was thinking of just poking some holes in a cool-whip type container with wire & securing to the side of the cage- unless you have a better idea? Maybe I'll post that on the forum, too. or PM me if you'd like. thanks!

T-Amy, if you are handy, some light sheet metal, tin snips, and pop rivets can be used to build one of those "J" shaped wall feeders. That can then be hung in the brooder. To see the general idea, go the Coops page and scroll down and select the Feeder link. There are a couple of examples there that should give you the idea of what I'm talking about.

As for the waterer on the side of the brooder, what about some PVC pipes and waterer nipples? That allows you to get the resavoir out of the brooder completely. Water stays clean, easy to keep topped off, and reduced wetting of the bedding. CCOnly even has some pretty cool ones with an attached drip tray.

AmericaunaMama, what is the new waterer that is awesome? I haven't found a chicken waterer I like very much yet ...

They are cool waterers!

Yeah ;D