Don't buy this waterer.

[Cryss]

So I'm just using my concrete block for now. It's a little low but I'll put a couple pieces of wood on top or something.

I'd put another block along side that one for stability. Then, depending on how high you want to go, top it with 2 more going cross ways on top, or with bricks cross ways if you don't want it that high.

 

[aart]

One is too small and the other is too big. So I'm just using my concrete block for now.

Why I keep some pavers around, many cut in half...have blocks cut in half too.
They'll be fine with it where it is now.

 

[Poultrybonkers]

i don't use waterers summertime they drink out of a large turkey kettle wintertime they eat the snow

 

[JoeInPA]

Why I keep some pavers around, many cut in half...have blocks cut in half too.
They'll be fine with it where it is now.

I have lots of bricks around, left overs from when we built the house. A couple bricks should put it at the right level.

 

[aart]

I have lots of bricks around, left overs from when we built the house. A couple bricks should put it at the right level.

Bricks should work.
Something that caught my eye here......put the holes on the block going horizontal, so mice can't shelter in them. BTDT.

 

[fender5803]

Just a fair warning so that hopefully none of you make the same mistake I did. Don't buy this waterer. They sell it at Tractor Supply. It is made by Farm Innovators and is model HPF-100.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/farm-innovators-heated-poultry-fount

I don't usually write bad product reviews but I absolutely despise this turd.

1. It leaks. All the time. The water slowly goes down and because the reservoir doesn't seal tight to the base.

2. It has a plug to pull from the bottom so you can fill it without removing the reservoir. Nice idea, but it's really difficult to fill it from the bottom because the whole thing is attached to a power cord with limited reach. And when you do flip it over, the reservoir usually pops off and spills any water that was left in it. And even if the reservoir doesn't pop off, you are guaranteed too spill all of the water that is in the base. Even if you do use the plug in the bottom, the hole is so small you would definitely need a funnel to fill it.

3. If you are like me and power your heated waterer by running an extension cord to it, you will likely want to use electrical tape on the connection between the extension cord and the waterer. Which means you can't easily disconnect the red base to take it inside and wash it because the cord doesn't disconnect from the base. So any cleaning you do to the base has to be done outside in the coop unless you want to untape the extension cord, unplug it, take it inside and wash it, then bring it back out, plug it in and refill it every time.

4. When you finally get it filled, it's a pain to reinstall the base with the reservoir upside down because the reservoir is thin plastic and it flexes a ton so it doesn't line up easily.

5. When you finally get the base on, and you go to flip it over, the base usually pops off because it fits so loosely. Then you have a mucky muddy mess in the run, your shoes and pants are soaked and your birds still don't have any water.

All in all this is just a terrible design. Please learn from me and don't frustrate yourself by purchasing it.

How about cutting a hole in the top to fill this model ?

 

[fender5803]

It is very expensive for something that didn't work well at all. It did keep the water from freezing so I'll give it that but not much else.

I thought about going to a nipple type waterer. For stuff like this I'd prefer to just buy something that is ready to plug in.

I guess I would probably have to teach/show them how to use the nipple type waterer. For now I just have my original Harris Farms 5 quart waterer set up on a cinder block.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/harris-farms-poultry-drinker-5-qt

I don't really like the open water bowls, the chickens make a mess out of it pretty quickly.

I just want something I can grab easily without spilling, take inside, clean and fill it, and take it back outside without spilling. It'd be really great if I can quickly and easily top it off without taking it inside.

How about drilling/cutting a hole in the top for easier filling ?

 

[Sea Wolf]

Very difficult to fill. I bought the unheated version and eventually threw it away. Buy either the heated metal base and set your water container (metal or plastic) on top of it. I have them and they work great. You can also use the cheapy bird bath heater that is a flimsy round pad you set in the water with a cord coming off of it. Set that on the ground and put your waterer on top of the round part. Plug it in. It does not have to be submerged in water to work. Works just fine sitting on the ground. It may only last a season or two where the metal base will last years.

 

[Sea Wolf]

How about drilling/cutting a hole in the top for easier filling ?

You can't. The water is held in by a suction vacuum.

 

[JoeInPA]

You can't. The water is held in by a suction vacuum.

I may have figured that out the hard way... Oops