Official BYC Poll: Which type of waterers do you like best and why?

[BYC Project Manager]

Chickens drink a surprising amount of water, with laying hens needing more water than non-laying hens. Therefore, it’s vitally important that chickens are given access to water whenever they need.

So when it comes to your backyard flock: Which type of waterers do you like best? Tell us why in the comments section below.

Here are some top-rated waterers from Amazon:

Automatic Chicken Water Nipple Cup Waterer Kit
3 Gallon Poultry Waterer
Top Fill Poultry Fountain
2 Gallon Chicken Waterer - Horizontal Nipple
Poultry Waterer with Legs

By the way, don't forget to enter our 2020 Home-Made Feeder, Waterer, Incubator, & Brooder Contest

(Check out more Official BYC Polls HERE!)

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

I use simple large stainless steel dog bowls that has a non-slip rubber bottom. I have it raised sitting on a block of cement so they can't scratch water dirt and bedding into it. I only keep a small flock of 12 or less so it works for me. It makes dealing with algae growth easier by simply swirling a scrub brush with a little anti-bacterial dish soap around and rinsing out.

 

[orchidcrazy]

I bought a 5 Gallon food grade bucket, put horizontal nipples about every 4 inches all around it. Cost less than $20.00.

 

[Ms Clucky]

I have tried the Little Giant metal waters. Please do not use these. They rust and might harm the chickens. Metal poisoning. I started using the plastic gallon waters.

 

[Sally PB]

Following this with interest. I haven't tried horizontal nipples yet. Everything else I've tried has issues with getting dirt/bedding scratched into it, or dribbling and making a mess. (Grrr, vertical nipples, thinking of you!) It's getting colder now, and I *might* have electricity in the coop/run, but not sure. The horizontal cup nipples got just as much dirt scratched in as an of the open style ones.

 

[Ms Clucky]

Following this with interest. I haven't tried horizontal nipples yet. Everything else I've tried has issues with getting dirt/bedding scratched into it, or dribbling and making a mess. (Grrr, vertical nipples, thinking of you!) It's getting colder now, and I *might* have electricity in the coop/run, but not sure. The horizontal cup nipples got just as much dirt scratched in as an of the open style ones.

I put the plastic one on bricks to raise it up a little so the chickens don't scratch dirt in them as much.

 

[bikerchix]

i use a 5 gallon bucket with vertical nipples in summer and a heated dog bowl in winter

 

[c2chicks]

I use horizontal nipples, in the winter I wrap the 2 gallon bucket with heat tape....it’s been enough to keep the water flowing in NE Ohio...

 

[irish44395]

horizontal nipples here in a 5 gal bucket. I only had my birds for 3 weeks now and I keep checking the water so far all clean and no algae
Pete

 

[Alaskan]

everything I have used busted, froze too easily... etc.

I now use, for years, and am very happy with:

Rubber bowls/pans with Farm Innovators Aluminum Utility DeIcer.