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

[rosemarythyme]

I've used vertical and horizontal nipples. If freezing temperatures weren't an issue, I was fine with how the vertical ones work (I did not have any leaking issue, which is a common complaint... the nipple was really snugly installed in the waterer) and the chickens preferred the vertical one. However since I need a waterer that works with freezing temps, horizontal is my preference. Haven't had any leaking/dripping issues, the nipples stay clean throughout the year, and it's just an easy, low maintenance way to provide water.

The waterer I use is this one: https://www.backyardchickens.com/reviews/premier-1-heated-poultry-waterer.11903/

In hot temperatures (around 90F+) I do provide additional water via large plant saucers. They're meant for the chickens to stand in to cool off a bit, but of course they'll also drink from them.

Another thing that's important to me in a waterer is to have one that's fully opaque, and to keep it in the shade on top of that. If no light gets in, no algae grows. No algae, no need to clean. My semi translucent chick sized mason jar waterer grows algae and slime pretty fast, my adult's bucket horizontal nipple waterer (with very thick plastic walls, thicker than a typical bucket) does not. I've literally never cleaned it other than a quick rinse out each time I fill it, and it's perfectly clean inside.

 

[eggsandhens]

I use a metal, 5-Gallon, poultry fountain that I think works pretty well In terms of the chickens, it works well because it refills the “dispensing” part every time a chicken takes a drink, and it’s super easy to clean. In terms of me, it’s super easy to move around because it has a handle and a lock so you can hang it up if you need. I’ll see if I can get a pic later

 

[Trisseh]

The black rubber feed tubs are my choice; the birds all seem to prefer drinking from them than the 5 gallon pail cup waterer I made. The chickens also like wading in them when it’s hot, and the ducks can easily dunk their heads but can’t make too much of a mess. They’re easy to clean and perfect for winters here where we go into a deep freeze for weeks on end and need to be able to empty ice easily.

 

[R2elk]

I use flat back buckets and bury them in fresh manure to prevent freezing in the winter.

Alternate method to prevent water freezing

 

[1muttsfan]

I prefer the large plastic fountains that fill from the top, but in the winter switch to the metal ones, as they have to sit on a heat plate and plastic is not a good choice for that. Even with the heat plate I have to cover it sometimes with an insulated bag.

I'm pretty sure that any nipple system would freeze completely up here, there are weeks at a time when the temp does not rise above 20 degrees, and night temps are subzero.

 

[Kiki]

What type of waterer is the 3 gallon poultry one listed 2nd on the table?

 

[casportpony]

I use a little bit of everything here, but these are my favorites.

This one is good for ducklings

These two are great for peafowl because peafowl like to drink from deep water sources

Good for chickens

Good for chicks

 

[Kiki]

What type of waterer is the 3 gallon poultry one listed 2nd on the table?

Nm. I figured out what type mine are.

Gravity fed.

 

[neo71665]

I use horizontal nipples in pvc pipe. Have it piped into a 5 gallon bucket outside the pen and goes to a small pump that keeps the water moving. Helps keep the water from freezing and I can fill the bucket from outside the run.

Next summer I'm changing the bucket to a 55 gallon drum and catching water off my shop roof.

 

[casportpony]

What type of waterer is the 3 gallon poultry one listed 2nd on the table?

I would call that a fountain.