Illinois...

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

Why do waterers suck? Half gallon yesterday and it's gone. This waterer worked great last year. In winter I bought a heated waterer and it sucks. If it settles at any angle all the water runs out. Why is there no good product at a reasonable price?
I made some sch40 PVC with water nipples... it worked great. First freeze it split. At this point I have spent $150 or so just on things to provide water and still no good answer.
The nipples and spouts work great. I can spend precious time building yet another thing.
I just cant believe all these years and pure crap available.

 

[Faraday40]

Why do waterers suck? Half gallon yesterday and it's gone. This waterer worked great last year. In winter I bought a heated waterer and it sucks. If it settles at any angle all the water runs out. Why is there no good product at a reasonable price?
I made some sch40 PVC with water nipples... it worked great. First freeze it split. At this point I have spent $150 or so just on things to provide water and still no good answer.
The nipples and spouts work great. I can spend precious time building yet another thing.
I just cant believe all these years and pure crap available.

6-7 years ago, they didn't even have heated waterers available, so we just made our own. (.... and if I can do it, anyone can!)

a 5 gal bucket (white food grade + lid to limit amount of dust/feathers getting in)
4-5 Horiz chicken nipples (vertical ones can freeze when below zero and also drip more)
a bucket heater or bird bath heater (most expensive piece) Ours only turns on at 32'F and turns off when water is about 35'F.

Because the cost of the heater, we now have an inexpensive kitchen sink filter to remove minerals from the water and make the heater last longer.(purchased our 2nd winter) The 1st winter we used the heater it had so many mineral deposits that I feared it wouldn't last long. I also had to disassemble, bring it inside, & scrub all those deposits off weekly. Now I just have to clean the bucket once a week and wipe the heater. This is it's 6th or 7th year with the same set-up.

Each day I add another gal to the bucket to top it off. I washed out a milk gallon and refill it with filtered water to carry out to the coop. I also clean the bucket when needed..

 

[cavemanrich]

Post a pix of your waterer, and we can analyze, and suggest a solution

 

[homeschoolin momma]

Spoiler! Cute baby/mama pics attached!

Baby is having trouble coordinating its legs right now. Hoping that gets better.

 

[BReeder!]

Why do waterers suck? Half gallon yesterday and it's gone. This waterer worked great last year. In winter I bought a heated waterer and it sucks. If it settles at any angle all the water runs out. Why is there no good product at a reasonable price?
I made some sch40 PVC with water nipples... it worked great. First freeze it split. At this point I have spent $150 or so just on things to provide water and still no good answer.
The nipples and spouts work great. I can spend precious time building yet another thing.
I just cant believe all these years and pure crap available.

I have a heated waterer with poultry nipples. Works great. It's 3 gallons I believe, never leaks and I can use it all year round. I think it cost $30 though...

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

Post a pix of your waterer, and we can analyze, and suggest a solution

I had one of the one below. But I fill it up and the water just runs out. Bought another because water was freezing and it works if perfectly straight. But if the wind blows and the cord pulls it off the slightest angle it dumps all the water.
I have 2 of the non heated and now both dump out. I've made something last year with spouts (like nipples) and it worked great till it froze and cracked.
BReeder what one do you have?

 

[BReeder!]

This is it. It's 2 gallons, not 3...
https://www.ruralking.com/2-gal-hea...Htkk8-z7-DHQzWJ5SmaBZpkfydAcEwnRoCgbkQAvD_BwE

 

[Molpet]

15 yr old serama house chicken
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BackyardChickensBYC/permalink/10158395092794734/

 

[Justso]

I have to build new run and coop this year too. Currently working out plans. What is good building materials (affordable)?
Any critique or inspiration on simple run design?
I am trying to incorporate a room I can separate/quarantine.
View attachment 2040333

[/QUOTE

I have to build new run and coop this year too. Currently working out plans. What is good building materials (affordable)?
Any critique or inspiration on simple run design?
I am trying to incorporate a room I can separate/quarantine.
View attachment 2040333

GOOD CALL on planning a separation area now. That will prepare you for adding chicks easily in the future.

 

[Justso]

I dont have a fenced yard so they only free range on weekends. I want to make sure they have enough space to not be stressed out.

I'm adding onto my enclosed yard this year as well.