Leaking waterer

[MoonHarvester]

Just want to double check, I think I might just need a replacement of that little black cap? I inherited this waterer and I notice it’s constantly draining of water when I fill it up. The little black cap it came with is broken. I just wanted to check before I wasted $10 or if I should do something else to fix it!

 

[Yardmom]

If I'm picturing your waterer correctly, the little black cap is to plug the hole where the water comes out while filling the waterer. In order to use the waterer you will need to find another way to fill the hole while filling. Once it is filled screw the lid back on first then remove the plug. The spot the little cap goes at the top is just for storage.

 

[MoonHarvester]

If I'm picturing your waterer correctly, the little black cap is to plug the hole where the water comes out while filling the waterer. In order to use the waterer you will need to find another way to fill the hole while filling. Once it is filled screw the lid back on first then remove the plug. The spot the little cap goes at the top is just for storage.

Got it, maybe it’s constantly leaking because my ground isn’t level… or my chickens are drinking a lot more water than I thought
I’ve been sticking my finger in the hole when filling it up and quickly running the heavy thing back to the coop
I thought the black cap did something lol thanks

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'm not familiar with that specific waterer or how to fill it. That type of waterer requires a vacuum to not leak. There should be one or more small holes in the base that they drink out of that are typically covered with water. When they drink enough the water level goes below that hole so some water comes out to refill it and cover that hole, again sealing the vacuum.

If you cannot reestablish that vacuum then the container will empty. That can be because it is not sitting level so one of those holes at the bottom is never sealed with water. If it is hanging it may not hang level, maybe because it is not hanging level or it is getting rocked by the chickens bumping against it or the wind.

The other possibility is that you are not getting a good seal above so air can leak in.

You mention the ground not being level and a cracked cap. Either one could be your problem.