Is this waterer a decent option?

[Happy Novogens]

Is this waterer a good idea? We don't have chickens yet... still preparing. We plan to start with just 2 or 3 laying hens (Orpingtons). We're in the dry desert so water evaporates quickly here. Was thinking this might be a good idea.

Opinions? Thoughts?

 

[Happy Novogens]

Anyone?

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Anyone?

I have no experience with that waterer but it would make good sense in a dry climate. Chicken nipple waterers are clean and fairly leak proof but, in my opinion do not provide enough hydration when its hot.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I've never used anything like that either, but with your dry climate, it does looks like a good idea.

I like open drinkers opposed to nipples or cups since my birds stand and drink deeply during hot humid days. I assume yours would too.

Place the water station in the shade too. It's one of those things I would be constantly checking to make sure it's free flowing since birds tend to kick debris in water stations, even if they are somewhat covered.

 

[alwaystj9]

I have an old model like this in my grow out pen (5 gal)
I can slosh debris out, plus I don't need to fill every day.

I use black fortiflex water pans, too, because it is so hot right now that
my hens are soaking their nasty little chicken feet when not drinking.
I am changing the water/refilling them daily.

No matter what you use, it needs to be checked every day. Weird things happen,
right now I have to keep dumping toads out...waterers plug up, waterers crack...
For y'all in the high desert, that continuous flow system might work well. How long will your supply hose be? I have to monitor water temps here and let the hose run a minute to get cool water from it. It would not be good if you were refilling the waterer with hot water from a sun-baked hose.

 

[Happy Novogens]

. It would not be good if you were refilling the waterer with hot water from a sun-baked hose.

Good point. We're running a waterline underground from the house to the run/coop. But from there it will be above ground. Thanks to you bringing that up, we'll have to see if we can't come up with something. Maybe we can wrap it in a pool noodle? Would the chickens try to eat/peck that you think?

 

[NatJ]

Maybe we can wrap it in a pool noodle? Would the chickens try to eat/peck that you think?

Yes, the chickens will peck it and probably eat it.

We're in the dry desert so water evaporates quickly here. Was thinking this might be a good idea.

Some evaporation might be a good thing, because it cools the water that is left.

For just two or three hens, I would probably try something like this:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/harris-farms-poultry-drinker-5-qt-2167654?
It's fairly cheap, and holds more than enough water for that many hens, I think even allowing for evaporation.

You can test for evaporation even before you get chickens-- buy a waterer that looks promising, fill it with water, and check it for the next several days. That will tell whether it evaporates fast enough to be a problem.

 

[DavidReaves]

I use cup waterers that have a weight-controlled valve. They are reasonably large and keep adequate water available. They fit on buckets or pipes and don't require pressure.

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B089XZVZMP

I like them because they DON'T require the chicken to do anything to get the water other than drink.

 

[preciouschick]

Is this waterer a good idea? We don't have chickens yet... still preparing. We plan to start with just 2 or 3 laying hens (Orpingtons). We're in the dry desert so water evaporates quickly here. Was thinking this might be a good idea.

Opinions? Thoughts?

I use a 5 gallon waterer. I fill it every couple of days. I like it because it prevents a lot of evaporation. My de-icer is under it. My chickens can drink all they want. Just my preference. I have tried the little cups, they didnt like those. Any galvanized is going to rust very quickly. So i stuck with the plastic.

 

[alwaystj9]

Good point. We're running a waterline underground from the house to the run/coop. But from there it will be above ground. Thanks to you bringing that up, we'll have to see if we can't come up with something. Maybe we can wrap it in a pool noodle? Would the chickens try to eat/peck that you think?

Chickens love styrofoam, pool noodles and other insulation type materials...this link is about chickens in the desert https://www.backyardchickens.com/posts/18343802