My waterer isn't working correctly. Need help!!

[yellowchickensmomma]

I have a 5 gal Dura Fount plastic waterer that everytime I put water in it, it just keeps filling the bowl on the bottom. I'm not sure what is wrong with the cotton picking thing. Has anyone else had a problem with them? How can I fix it? My chickens have a 1 gal galvanized steel waterer now that I want to get rid of. I'm sure it makes there water taste funny. I also have heard that I need to put ACV in there water and I can't do that with the steel. Help!

 

[antlers]

Sounds like the black rubber O ring is missing, damaged or in the wrong place. It should be around the top of the white neck and not in the black cap. They have replacement kits at most dealers for maybe 3-4 dollars. Either that or there is a crack in the seam some place....

 

[yellowchickensmomma]

I'll check it for cracks. The black ring is around the neck of the waterer but its not a tight fit. Should it fit tightly?

 

[antlers]

Quote:
Mine fits comfeysnug but not tight like a rubber binder pulled out...

 

[antlers]

Quote:
Mine fits comfeysnug but not tight like a rubber binder pulled out...

I think the fix it kit I got had 3 big rubber rings and a small black bottom cap for about 4 bucks... Got it at the co op.

 

[gritsar]

Quick fix until you can find new O rings - grease the inside of the lid and the threads on the waterer with vaseline. Hand tighten the lid, but don't overtighten.

 

[G Wiz Ranch]

I have six of the Dura Fount waters and they all work fine. All the O rings on mine are a little loose but not so loose that they come out of the groove they sit in. I have one that requires me to realy torque down the top cap in order for it not to leak. Since I tend to put the lids on a little tighter than my wife can remove, I set up a place where we clean and fill the waterers at, and I made a "vise" out of 2x3's that prevent the water from turning and my wife uses a wooden dowel through the handle to help her get the lids on and off.

I find that is is better to tighten them a lot rather than only a "hand tight"