Automatic waterer

[ssteiner]

So I was at the feed store today and I saw an automatic waterer. It just so happens that my run happens to be near a hose spigot. So, I hooked it up. I'm just wondering if people have any experience with this device. It seems pretty handy. I'm in southern California, so no danger of ice. Thanks.

-Scott

 

[wendy]

we have one, it sits on a two cinder blocks that are side by side. it is handy! less buckets to carry around, we have goats and a donkey, so we have to have buckets for them.
the other morning there was a thin layer of ice on the top and i wrapped the hose going to the waterer with newspaper, some other material and duct tape. The next morning, no ice at all!

 

[FutureChickenMan]

if it's the big bowl kind, the only advice I have is make sure to cover it with wire if you have chicks.

 

[waldeneffect]

I have recently come up with a solution that has solved the problem without electricity.

Chickens don't drink water at night, they roost and sleep.

I visit my chickens anyway every morning, so why not make the container easy to carry so I can take it in at night when it's below freezing?

If I take it in at night it's got to be clean.

My chickens will never drink dirty water again.

On really cold days I just simply replace the frozen container with a fresh one that has warm water in it a couple of times a day depending on how cold it is.

You can easily rig up a light bulb to warm it if you live in really cold climates.

I sell them at my farm blog for cheap....there's even a do it yourself kit.

http://www.waldeneffect.org/store/