Heated Waterer.... anyone using this product?

[70monte]

I just bought the one you posted about and am currently using it. I have mine sitting on a wire metal stand so it doesn't get much shavings in it. It is a pain to fill. I did not use the little hole in the base but just took the base off and then filled up the top. I then put the bottom back on and held it tightly to the top and flipped it right side up. I didn't spill any water. Of course I do this outside the coop in case it comes apart.

I have a heated dog bowl that I like better but it is too small for 15 chickens and is why I bought this one. I really don't expect it to last very long because the top part is pretty flimsy.

Wayne

 

[cmom]

 

[filly1969]

I used a lilfount water system http://www.miraco.com/LilFount.aspx last winter and here in Illinois we had a long cold winter. I also used a Kane dog water http://www.petsupplies4less.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=28029. I have both of these set up outside and had no problem with frozen water. ht

 

[karlamaria]

So some of you hated the waterer, want to send it to me? I will pay shipping ! Seriously I could use it and I will pay you shipping,
and 10 dollars if it's new and in perfect shape !

 

[70monte]

Quote:
How does the Lilfount heated part work? I wasn't sure what they were talking about in the description about the heated bowl. How much do one of these cost, I didn't see any prices.? Thanks.

Wayne

 

[LaurelRidgeDreams]

I used one like this and I bought it from Jeffers last year. What I didn't like was having to flip the waterer over. It worked well but I found I needed to clean it before the water was all gone and taking it out of the coop without spilling was an issue. I found a 1 1/2 gallon heated dog bowl and am now using that for 18 pullets. It's enough water right now but when they start fo lay I may have to get a second one. I do clean it every day, it's easy to clean.

 

[audioguy]

The one thing we did not like about this type of water device is that is get fouled really fast. After the chicks dip into it, they leave whatever is left on their feathers into the water, making it a mess.
Instead we rigged up a 5 gallon pail, added in a spigot, attached a 15' garden hose and wrapped it with a heated wire and taped it over with insulated tape. At the end is a 2" PVC pipe with two nipples that I got from Ebay for $6 for 5 with free shipping.
It was 20 degrees this morning and the water is flowing fine!

 

[fiddlebanshee]

Quote:
Thsi is the setup I have sans the heated wire so it froze. I have bought the heat tape now and am about to install it. What is insulated tape? Can you point me to a picture of it?

 

[Lothiriel]

I use that waterer (in the OP). It works great, keeps the water unfrozen, and holds a lot. My only issues with it are it's a bit hard to get the base/lid on, and my birds like to sit on top of it. The base problem I can't do anything about yet, but when I get the funds I am going to order the new&improved version that Premier carries. It's essentially the same but on the bottom it has a plug where you use a hose or something to put the water in, without having to take the base off. For keeping poop out of it, I took an old plastic trash can lid and cut a donut out of it. The donut now sits around the bucket and keeps all the poop out of the water. It's also wide enough to keep them from pooping in it when they stand next to it.


Before this one, I have used both the metal waterer on the heated base and the heated bowl. The former froze once and never worked again. It kept gushing water out, regardless if the bowl was full or not. The bowl did nothing but collect poop and turn into poo soup overnight. It was incredibly gross. Not to mention the material it was made of was brittle and broke very easily. I had to patch it up with duct tape several times to get through the winter.

 

[M.sue]

I am using the waterer the original poster inquired about. In my previous posts I was not liking it but now am getting use to it. It is cumbersome to work with but have found the longer I have it the easier it is to maneuver.