Hi! 
Welcome to BYC! I don't know how to get around checking on chickens every day. For one thing, the eggs need to be gathered at least once a day.
I think the only way to keep the water fresh would be to use an enclosed barrel or bucket with nipples, but good luck teaching a chicken to use one if they have been using the dish types. My girls wont do it.
I'm raising some chicks on that kind of waterer in hopes they will teach the older hens when they are integrated. 
That would save me from bringing unfrozen water out to them several times a day. 
Welcome to BYC! I don't know how to get around checking on chickens every day. For one thing, the eggs need to be gathered at least once a day. I think the only way to keep the water fresh would be to use an enclosed barrel or bucket with nipples, but good luck teaching a chicken to use one if they have been using the dish types. My girls wont do it.
I'm raising some chicks on that kind of waterer in hopes they will teach the older hens when they are integrated. That would save me from bringing unfrozen water out to them several times a day. 
