frustrated w/ waterers

[Judy]

I have well water, too, which would certainly clog nipple waterers; it clogs everything else, eventually. I am lucky enough to have a galvanized one that does not leak. I also use a plastic one that I've never had any trouble with. They are on concrete blocks, which I agree, the chickens rarely if ever cause to tip. I also have a bowl with a slightly leaky hose faucet, so they never run out -- a necessity during summer around here, IMO, unless you can check on them like hourly.

An inexpensive version of nipple waterers is a rabbit waterer, if you want to experiment. They don't hold much, though. I used to use them for my broodies and baby chicks. And they don't clog!

 

[woodmort]

Quote:
There are some that swear at them too. They clog, are hard to keep ice free in winter, and some birds can't get used to them. I've used the plastic waterers that have an O-ring in the top and they are a pia trying to get them tight enough so the vacuum works. Plus they can't be set on heaters. Ideally a system that automatically replenishes itself would be the way to go, unfortunately if you live in the northern part of the US you need some way to prevent it's freezing for about 4/5 months of the year.

 

[Dunkopf]

We use a bucket. Works great. Easy to get ice out of in the winter. Keep it full enough that the chickens can reach it. Got tired of all those rip off systems. We just act like we live before they came up with all that stuff.