I use two containers in different locations to be sure nobody gets chased away from a drink but they're both nipple type (verticals here). There seems to be a misconception that the chickens barely get enough water unless they have a fount. I'm not sure why. A chicken can stand there holding the...
I actually just did it until the water party started and then I let the first few show the rest. Chickie-see-chickie-do, they're always interested in what fun thing the others are doing.
I got mine from a guy on BYC ages ago but QC Supply has them or there's always Amazon or eBay. They're "push in poultry nipples". Note, read the instructions because the hole size is important. This kind takes an 11/32 drill bit, some water, and a very firm push to install.
If you ask at the bakery in your local grocery, they probably will give you an empty frosting bucket. Those come in smaller sizes than the 5G and are definitely food safe plastic.
The nipple isn't only attractive because it's red -- birds like shiny things, too.
I wouldn't worry about what color the bucket is, just that it's food safe. The food safe ones at Lowe's are white or translucent white. Their blue ones didn't have the food storage symbol so I avoided. The risk...
I haven't tried the horizontal ones so I really don't know if they're more difficult, I just know the verticals are easy. But, I also know that chickens will rush to a dish of water when you add it just like they'll rush to a puddle after a rain or a dripping faucet. It doesn't mean they're...
I might glue some PVC pipe caps for "feet" on the bucket for the rare occasion I would like to set it down (i.e. cleaning). That's the one time the verticals pose a challenge. It seems easy enough to remedy, it just isn't a huge priority for me as I rarely need to clean the bucket.
Granted, this is for only six in a brooder but you could use something like a 5G bucket and install 3-4 on it. I have a 5G in the main coop and just used chain to make a hanger around the bucket rather than that flimsy handle it comes with so it can't fall.
I started my 3-day old chicks on the vertical ones, that's how easy those are. I put the chicks in their brooder tapping beaks on the nipple as I added them and they had their water party started before I even got to the sixth chick. No "just in case" dish required. I don't know if it's being...
There's another option I used when introducing the concept to hens I was switching over that weren't mine (extended chickensitting). I installed the bucket, left the familiar fount in place for a week. Then, I chose a time I could watch for a long while and removed the fount. After every chicken...