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

[DoxonFarms]

Vertical nipples, have about 60 birds got them all on the nipples... No more poop in the water! They make a little mess underneath but I'm hanging them over the grazing boxes in the spring, win win. Right now I have old rubber dog bowls underneath to keep the mud down.

 

[Teresa D]

OverEZ Chicken Waterer, this is what I use presently I never have dirt problems but in the winter I am going to use a premier 1 poultry waterer.

 

[electrycmonk]

Chickens drink a surprising amount of water, with laying hens needing more water than non-laying hens.

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

I have a theory, about arbitrarily choosing "the best" vs. "best for your situation" given the climate; AKA your latitude and sun exposure of the water/food containers.

Just because the simplicity of the 1.5gal flip over red & white waterer that we got at TSC is likely the most prolific given its design. However, as we still use it - wouldn't call it the "best". Hardly. I haven't had any others yet. I tried the metal version. The dispenser plug failed right outta the box.... I've seen so many ingenious DIY's that I'm seriously thinking that if we put a few crayon lines on the map for Latitudes that we would discover: A) that specific DIY designs are better for equalorial to ~30-ish degrees Latitude.
B) certain retail designs are good for moat latitudes but, not for "_x_" latitude.
C) diy design "z" isn't a good idea for above ~4000' elevation or above ~40-45° latitude due to the inability to keep it from freezing due entirely to its volume.

These are a few thoughts I've been having as I try to figure out which is the best DOY design that will work in my area of North Texas.....

Thoughts?

 

[Ebony Rose]

I simply use an antimicrobial dog food and water bowl. I live in the tropics so freezing and frost are a non-issue. Temperatures range from the very high 70's to mid-90's Fahrenheit year round, both day and night. When exceptionally hot, block ice in the bowl is a welcome addition and has the added benefit of refilling the bowl with cool water as it melts.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I use the 5 gallon bucket horizontal nipple waterer with four nipples for 12 chickens. This works fine and they figured out quite quickly how to use it but sometimes it’s just too hot here and I’m afraid they don’t get enough water out of those little nipples. So I have out in the run also a standard 1 gallon flip over type waterer in addition so they can choose what they prefer. This one is raised on a few bricks so it stays pretty clean.

 

[Teresa D]

I use the 5 gallon bucket horizontal nipple waterer with four nipples for 12 chickens. This works fine and they figured out quite quickly how to use it but sometimes it’s just too hot here and I’m afraid they don’t get enough water out of those little nipples. So I have out in the run also a standard 1 gallon flip over type waterer in addition so they can choose what they prefer. This one is raised on a few bricks so it stays pretty clean.

Yeh I like adding extra flip waterer also I just make sure I change it daily to keep it clean.

 

[nuthatched]

I prefer the ye old gravity waters, but since I haven't gotten around to replacing my broken one, my chickens are being watered out of old enameled roasting pan.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I prefer the ye old gravity waters, but since I haven't gotten around to replacing my broken one, my chickens are being watered out of old enameled roasting pan.

Whatever works, right?

 

[nuthatched]

Whatever works, right?

What they don't know won't hurt them. I have a few hens they will just stand in it when it gets warm.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

I use a cup nipples drilled into a 2 gallon bucket. It works well and doesn't smell like my old gravity waterers did. It also doesn't leak at all nor get stuck like the vertical nipple waterer does. It also stays very clean inside and I haven't have a case of algae yet. The best part that I only need to refill it once a weeks. My favorite waterer I've had so far in my 5 years and definitely the easiest to maintain