Quick Tipover-proof Poop-resistant One Gallon Waterer

[sillybirds]

When I moved my chickens into their coop about 6 months ago, it was getting late in the evening, and I needed a quick solution for watering. I had two of these standard one gallon waterers already. I just needed something to keep them from knocking it over and pooping in it. So, drawing inspiration from Omran's feeder, I just cut four rectangles out of a 5 gallon bucket. Inside I put two bricks, to elevate the waterer inside the bucket and to provide weight in the bottom of the bucket to prevent the chickens from tipping it over. I hadn't planned on this being a long term solution, as I'm sure there are better waterers available. However, it is working well, so I continue to use it. I now have it up on an 8 inch cinder block to get it even higher to keep the deep litter out. The chickens manage to kick up a little litter into it anyway, but overall it stays rather clean. Since I have two of the one gallon waterers, I just take a freshly filled one with fresh water and ACV out to the coop each morning to replace the existing one. That way I can bring the other one in and clean it, etc. You get the picture. Since I don't have many chickens, they don't drink it all up in a day. After seeing Omran's latest $0.53 feeder, I realize it would've been easier to have made my waterer enclosure by drilling big holes like he did for his feeder instead of cutting out the rectangles. I don't suppose it would matter to the birds.

Chickens trying it out:

Picture inside showing bricks (without gallon waterer):

 

[TerryT]

Great idea!!! I showed this to my husband and it will be a reality for all our hatching chicks. They do tend to be messy! I love the idea of not being able to sit on top of the water. Thanks for sharing!

TerryT

 

[b.hromada]

Hey, I like that, I must try it. Like you guys, I don't like the chickens on top of the water either,

to much poop! Also, keeping it in place, thats even better! Great idea.

 

[sillybirds]

Thanks for the comments. Glad you liked it!

Another thing I like about it, is that for small coops like mine, even though it's pretty big, the chicks can and like to perch atop it, so it's almost as if it's not wasting space. Also, they use it as a "stepping stone" to get up to the higher roosts.

 

[1birdlady]

I LOVE this thing!

Showed it to DH and he will "make it so" tomorrow!

We too have a small coop with just 4 girls, and they are always perching on the waterer and dirtying it.....this is a BIG help!

Thank you Sillybirds...

 

[chicken_china_mom]

I really like the idea of that. A couple of quick questions though:

First, how did you get them to initially try it?

Second, what kind of container do you have inside the bucket to hold the actual water, a dog dish or something? I have 5 gallon buckets here at the house that could easily be converted into waterers, and I am very interested in putting maybe two out in my coop.

 

[sillybirds]

Quote:
It didn't take them but a second to figure it out on their own.

Quote:
It's just one of those common Little Giant one gallon waterers that every feed store around here has (but check to make sure it fits your 5 gallon bucket, as there are some slightly different sized ones).

Here's a picture of the one gallon waterer that I put inside the 5 gallon bucket:

 

[Gonzo]

awesome idea!

 

[ARose4Heaven]

Headed out to the garage to do this. I think it might work for the feed too...just use a dog dish and smaller holes in the bucket so they can't get thier whole body in there.
Gonna go do me some inventing!!! Thanks!

 

[Thortherooster]

Hey Thank you great idea! And as my backyard flock grows I also appreciate you keeping me employed using a Homer bucket from The home depot who helps me pay for my flock!