Chicken waterers

[aart]

How often would you have to change out the water in a 5 gallon bucket outside, assuming that the HNs would reduce the amount of wasted water and would probably last a long time.

I have no idea. I use a 3gal and top off daily to keep it fresher and an eye on consumption

Also, would you put anything in the outside water to deter algae growth (Apple cider vinegar?, etc...).

Again, no idea.... Sorry.... I'm not much help, eh?
I keep mine inside the coop to avoid this problem, plus easier for me to tend to it there.
Also don't think constant acidity from vinegar is good for them.

 

[gtaus]

I have no idea. I use a 3gal and top off daily to keep it fresher and an eye on consumption
Again, no idea.... Sorry.... I'm not much help, eh?
I keep mine inside the coop to avoid this problem, plus easier for me to tend to it there.
Also don't think constant acidity from vinegar is good for them.

OK. Thanks, anyway. I keep my feeder and metal waterer in the coop 24/7, but I only have to refill them once about every 7-10 days. The water seems to be fine in the coop as it is not in direct sunlight and does not appear to grow algae. What I am considering is putting a 5 gallon bucket with HNs out in the chicken run as an extra waterer. I read that a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar mixed in with a plastic bucket of water was good for the chickens, but not to do it with metal waterers like I have in the coop.

 

[aart]

OK. Thanks, anyway. I keep my feeder and metal waterer in the coop 24/7, but I only have to refill them once about every 7-10 days. The water seems to be fine in the coop as it is not in direct sunlight and does not appear to grow algae. What I am considering is putting a 5 gallon bucket with HNs out in the chicken run as an extra waterer. I read that a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar mixed in with a plastic bucket of water was good for the chickens, but not to do it with metal waterers like I have in the coop.

Yes, we have very different management techniques.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I am assuming an opaque bucket would be better than transparent bottles for the waterer(s) outside - to cut down on the algae growth. How often would you have to change out the water in a 5 gallon bucket outside, assuming that the HNs would reduce the amount of wasted water and would probably last a long time. Also, would you put anything in the outside water to deter algae growth (Apple cider vinegar?, etc...).

If you can get a fully opaque bucket, algae growth should be minimal to non existent. That's part of the reason I like the waterer I have... thick opaque walls + kept in the shade = never had to clean out algae.

I just dump out water once it gets low, rinse, and refill. I use plain water.

 

[jreardon1918]

I have a 5 gallon bucket with HN. I top off several times a week with a one gallon pitcher. Easier than carrying 5 gallons. Rinse it sitting and fall. No/ little algae. In the winter i have a stock tank heater. Pictures in my coop article.

 

[gtaus]

I just dump out water once it gets low, rinse, and refill. I use plain water.

Thanks. I have only had a waterer inside the coop - never out in the sunlight.

 

[gtaus]

I have a 5 gallon bucket with HN. I top off several times a week with a one gallon pitcher. Easier than carrying 5 gallons. Rinse it sitting and fall. No/ little algae. In the winter i have a stock tank heater. Pictures in my coop article.

I checked out your coop article, very nice, but I did not see any mention of the stock tank heater you use in your waterer. Do you recall the name/brand of the heater and/or any link to the product? Also, how well does it keep the water from freezing? This winter I had temps down to -23F, which is pretty normal for us. My metal waterer and metal base heater kept the water from freezing, but next year I would like to have a backup (just in case).