Chicken waterer design search

[BGcoop]

Is there a waterer out there that has a handle both on the top and on the bottom?

I do not have outdoor water in the winter (due to freezing temps in Wisconsin) so I need to fill up the waterers inside. They all seem to have the carrying handle on the top only so I need to flip them inside, or carefully carry them outside to flip. Inevitably some amount of water ends up splashing between the walk from the tap to the door, and while it isn’t much it is a pain to always have to wipe up afterwards. Plus I have multiple water buckets to carry. If there are waterers out there that had a handle on both the top and the bottom I think I could carry more without this splashing. I know that the nipple type waterers would solve that problem however those tend to freeze up worse in my coop and my stoopid chickens just never seemed to get the hang of them(they choose to take the long arduous journey to drink from the goat’s water instead which doesn’t work well when there is snow on the ground and they refuse to let their feet touch snow). Anyway if anyone knows of a traditional waterer that has handles on both the top and the bottom and where I could purchase one from I’d greatly appreciate it! TIA!

 

[Debbie292d]

They probably aren't bothering to learn to use the nipple bucket because they have an alternate source.

We have a 5-gallon one, but the coop is heated to just above freezing to keep it open. Those buckets have a lip on the bottom for your fingers to grip. If you have electricity out there, they make electric nipple waterers too. We have a couple of those in the grow-out/breeder coops, and they do well below zero.

 

[BGcoop]

oh yes I’m sure the alternate water is a big factor in them refusing to learn. And unfortunately we do not have electricity for heating the waterers. (Hubby is kind of crazy about fire prevention and the lights even get fully unplugged at night not just shut off)

 

[saysfaa]

I don't know of any. Could you carry the water out in a different pail then fill and flip at the chickens? It is easier to get a lid for a pail than for a traditional chicken waterer.

Hm, lidded pails work better with sleds, too, which would make taking the extra containers back and forth easier even if you haven't been using them yet.

 

[ChickenGirl300]

While it doesn’t have two handles, our big 3 gallon non-electric water bucket came with a screw on cap to prevent water from spilling out while you fill it up, which also makes it easier to carry the water. We’ve been through a lot of chicken waters over the years and this is definitely one of our better ones however, if a bit of a pain to clean.

 

[BGcoop]

Hmmm guess I’m going to have to find a way to fashion one myself or petition the waterer companies

(I have been carrying in a 5 gallon pail which helps with splashing but then fishing it out of the pail is cumbersome due to the tight fit, I may just have to play with different sized pails and waterers)