I've had pretty good success with this set-up. The bucket was free from a grocery that has a deli. Finding the correct-sized base was my problem. You cut a couple of small holes in the side of the bucket so when the bucket is turned over, the holes are the height you want the water in the base to be. I had to cut the holes in both the lid and bucket and put a mark on them so I could always line the holes back up. You fill it by taking the lid off, filling it, put the lid back on, then turn it over into the base. If you invert it over the base, any spilled water goes into the base, not on the ground.
If you elevate it to the height of their backs, they can reach it easily. Of course, that is the height of the lowest back, whether that is chicks, bantams, or full sized fowl. The more you can elevate it, the cleaner it will stay. I've got about an inch of room between the bucket and base for them to get a drink.
I hung a pyramid shape over it to keep them from trying to hop on top of the bucket where they could foul the water underneath. Many people hang an inverted funnel, a plastic milk bottle, what ever they have. Whatever you use, it has to be heavy enough to not move too much in the wind if it is outside.
Instead of putting it on a firm base, some people come up with a way to hang this set-up. From what I've read, the chickens or wind can get it swinging and water can spill. I haven't tried that myself but have been happy with what I have.
Almost forgot, the bricks or whatever you use to elevate it need to spread out a bit. The wider you can make the brick or whatever to support the base, the more stable it is. I've never had this one turn over but I have a pretty heavy base. And this one can freeze and split the bucket. I use a black rubber bowl with no bucket when it gets down to freezing. I have to refill it more often and you have to have something hanging over it to keep them from fouling it or turning it over, but if it freezes, just turn it over and stomp on it. It does not break and the ice comes right out. Also if the black rubber is in the sun, it will stay thawed even is a certain amount of freezing weather. Passive solar heating.
I saw a photo on here a while back where someone used my set-up for a waterer in their cooop, but put the waterer up a bit and had a plank walkway to get up to the waterer so they had to leave the litter on the floor behind to get to it. That way, they could not scratch any litter up to the waterer. Supposedly kept the waterer very clean.
Good luck!! Many different ways to handle this problem.
