Best hot weather waterer

[My1stChickens]

I'm exhausted from searching for a good waterer for beastly hot days. I'm looking for a 2 or 3 gallon waterer, with a large opening at the top. (this is because I want to put giant blocks of ice in it to keep water cool all day). Ideally to top will be domed or pointed, not flat so they don't stand on it and poop. An opening 10-12" in diameter would be awesome, but I could make it work with 8".

I don't want an auto fill, and I don't want nipple drinkers. I have been unsuccessful getting hens to drink enough from nipples. I'm also a little leery of those drinker cups, because of so many people complaining about them getting dirty within minutes, and/or leaking.

Currently I use multiple 1 and 2 gallon plastic waters. I fill them often, change them often, and on beastly days add ice or even put a frozen water bottle in them. This works if I can tend their water at noon and again at 4ish. But I need a system that can work when I am away for the day (or the weekend) and only have two visits a day from a sitter.

I would sure appreciate any ideas.

 

[nuthatched]

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/little giant chicken waterer?isIntSrch=written

 

[Ext 918]

I love this one. I put a frozen 2 liter bottle in it and it keeps the water cool all day. Our summers are 100+ all season.

https://a.co/d/6lRCxHe

 

[Mother of Chaos]

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/little giant chicken waterer?isIntSrch=written

I wonder if that first one (Farm-Tuff 5 gal waterer) could be used as a feeder as well? It would obviously require some chopping for the feed to be available.

I'm grimly amused that the waterers have closed tops, and often hanging feeders do not. I don't mind rain getting into my waterer, but I'd like it not to in my feeders! Harris Farms, I am looking at you!

 

[BoundlessLove]

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/little giant chicken waterer?isIntSrch=written

What we use.
They do not leak and can be refilled from the top every few days.

I never do this but the top is large enough to drop in chucks of ice.

 

[My1stChickens]

I love this one. I put a frozen 2 liter bottle in it and it keeps the water cool all day. Our summers are 100+ all season.

https://a.co/d/6lRCxHe

Thank you! This one would work. Love that it has legs, to help keep it clean, and that top is big enough to put in big blocks of ice. When I'm not home to add more ice in smaller amounts, it won't last all day. This one could hold a TON of ice. Amazon was discouraging purchase since the price way high, so I went to Premier 1 where it was much cheaper-- till they added shipping LOL. I never thought I'd pay $60 for a darn chicken waterer but peace of mind when I'm away makes it worth it. I would feel horrible if chickens died in the heat and I could have done a better job

 

[2 Acres]

I'm exhausted from searching for a good waterer for beastly hot days. I'm looking for a 2 or 3 gallon waterer, with a large opening at the top. (this is because I want to put giant blocks of ice in it to keep water cool all day). Ideally to top will be domed or pointed, not flat so they don't stand on it and poop. An opening 10-12" in diameter would be awesome, but I could make it work with 8".

I don't want an auto fill, and I don't want nipple drinkers. I have been unsuccessful getting hens to drink enough from nipples. I'm also a little leery of those drinker cups, because of so many people complaining about them getting dirty within minutes, and/or leaking.

Currently I use multiple 1 and 2 gallon plastic waters. I fill them often, change them often, and on beastly days add ice or even put a frozen water bottle in them. This works if I can tend their water at noon and again at 4ish. But I need a system that can work when I am away for the day (or the weekend) and only have two visits a day from a sitter.

I would sure appreciate any ideas.

Go to the paint department at home Depot and buy a couple 2 gallon paint buckets with lids.

Buy the vertical version of the 4 pack of nipple waterers from your local farm store, and drill holes in the bottom of the bucket and thread the nipples in the bottom. (Don't overtighten the gaskets on the nipples)

Hang the bucket by a nylon dog leash for adjustability/height, and level.

Fill the bucket... and snap the lid on 3/4 way around the bucket. That should be good enough to keep any debris out of the bucket.

 

[2 Acres]

 

[RoseHawke]

Hope that waterer works out for you. If it doesn't for whatever reason I know you said that you're leery of the cups because of the cleanliness issue, but honestly, I keep a piece of a sponge to hand to just give them a quick wipe when I'm in the run. I've got several of those cups installed on a 5-gallon bucket that I put a Gamma Seal lid (they screw on and off,) on although I don't screw it down tight because it will screw down tight and I can't get it open one handed. Along with this I keep a half dozen or more 3L water filled juice bottles in the big freezer that I switch out once or twice a day depending on the heat. I've got it elevated on a few bricks to keep it off the ground until I can get around to making a proper stand for it.