Am I the only one who uses a large metal dog dish for my girls' water?

[sashanellie]

Everyone seems to post their creative and functional waterers for their coops, and while I did try a couple, I have found it easier to dump, wash, and refill a plain old giant dog water dish. Anyone else?

 

[chick fire]

i use a rubber dog bowl

 

[junebuggena]

I use a big dog dish as well. I just aim a hose in the direction of the water bowl to fill it up throughout the day. And they drink more from the bowl than they do from their waterer.

 

[sashanellie]

What's your secret to cleaning the rubber one? I bought one recently, but it gets slimy so fast! The metal one is much easier to wipe out.

 

[N F C]

I use a couple big red plastic dog food bowls for my girls' food bowl...it's not for their regular dry feed but for special treats like garden stuff or scrambled eggs. This is the type of bowl, the girls are enjoying some watermelon.

 

[sashanellie]

Beautiful and happy girls! Thanks for showing!

 

[chiques chicks]

I use rubber bowls for feed and water since they are easy to get the ice out in the winter, flip and stomp.

As far as cleaning, well...
People will not like my answer, I don't over clean. I spray out with a hose to get the heavy stuff out and refill. The green algae around the edges doesn't seem to hurt as long as it isn't excessive. My chickens prefer the water running across the mud when I dump them, so I figure a little greenn stuff won't hurt. After three years they seem to still be doing fine.

 

[sashanellie]

I LOVE your answer!

 

[N F C]

I use rubber bowls for feed and water since they are easy to get the ice out in the winter, flip and stomp.

As far as cleaning, well...
People will not like my answer, I don't over clean. I spray out with a hose to get the heavy stuff out and refill. The green algae around the edges doesn't seem to hurt as long as it isn't excessive. My chickens prefer the water running across the mud when I dump them, so I figure a little greenn stuff won't hurt. After three years they seem to still be doing fine.

What's up with that anyway? I change out a couple of water dishes at least twice a day (they primarily wade in those) and they seem to like drinking the muddy/sandy water off the ground better. Strange birds!

 

[TheLaboratoryBF]

I've been using a BriteTap waterer for a couple of months and haven't looked back...paired with a 2-gallon cooler it keeps the water clean and cool for my 3 pullets for a week. Also makes it easier to administer electrolytes and/or ACV. I do use a plastic pet bowl like NorthFLChick for scraps and treats though. To each their own though; if I've learned anything about chicken keeping, it's that there's no one right way to do anything. What might work for me may be terrible for someone else.