Heated Waterer.... anyone using this product?

[TinyChickenLady]

Thanks capebird! I might try that idea

 

[rancher hicks]

Seems to me you'd be messing with Electricity and water. Not a good combination. Having to unplug it to fill it? Plus my non electrics like that get back wash and dirt inside which in my mind means cleaning in the dead of winter. I just carry hot water to the coop in milk jugs and clean waterers each morning and afternoon.

You might opt for the metal heater bases and metal waterers. or Five gallon buckets with nipples those hang in the bucket round heater thingies. $29 at TSC. I may try one of those this year. If it does well I'll buy another.

 

[Marcymom3]

Capebird, I don't mean to hijack your thread, but have a question related to your post.

Our chickens have two waterers, one is a bucket with nipples and the other is a one gallon fount waterer that they seem to prefer. We put the bucket/nipple waterer in because they tend to tip over the fount waterer when the water gets low in it. I had made up my mind to get a larger fount waterer and make one of the cookie tin heaters, but I have a birdbath heater that I have never used. Do you think that could go into the bucket/nipple waterer with a thermocube plug? I don't think they love drinking from those nipples in comparison but it is a much better way to keep their water clean and poop/dirt/shavings free.

 

[stoopid]

My biggest gripe with this style waterer is the way the tabs are that lock the two halves together.
With cold, wet slippery hands, it doesn't behave for me.
The white top part is a little too flexible, and the tabs all don't match up everytime. JMO
Otherwise, a good idea, but I have found I need to have to rotate them, thus doubling the purchase price.

 

[Eggcessive]

I have started using the heated dog bowls that I already had, and put in a gallow sized dog dish or ice cream container that I wash out each day. I have 2 of these for 34 chickens and the heat only comes on when the temperature is below freezing. You can use them without the inside bowls but it is harder to clean them out. They cost $20-25 at Walmart or pet stores.

 

[BellevueOmlet]

I still like the cups.

This has a cast iron de-icer that keeps the water from freezing and since the cups are not float valves, the water does not freeze in the cups.

 

[blackbelt]

I've used heated waterers for several years now, I have some posted on my site they are available from amazon. I use them not only for chickens, but also the livestock I winter each year. works fine.

 

[gale65]

Quote:
Have you used this system during a winter yet? How cold does it get there? We are planning to use a dog bowl for winter but it doesn't hold much water, so we will have to fill it often.

 

[Azriel]

I have one like that, and it works well, but it is a pain in the butt to fill. I only use it inside, you have to fill it from the bottom, it has a little rubber stopper you pull out and I use a funnel to fill it with so the water doesn't spill all over. Then you have to try to pick it up and turn it over without dumping water all over yourself. I've had 3 gal. of water all over myself and the bedding many times.

 

[silkielover5]

Azriel same thing has happened to me...what really sucks is when you fill it and carry it back to coop, flip it and the stopper falls out and water is everywhere.oh and you can take off the top fill it and screw it back on i do it both ways. i have had mine for about a year and besides the filling issues i love it. it does work. im dad baught it for me after he drilled a hole through my old metal one to try and place a water heater in it...he forgot about the water suction thing so the water just went everywhere