Searching for the perfect waterer

[moniquem]

Maybe I'll try the heated dog water bowl this winter.

Last winter I used one of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HHFA92/?tag=backy-20
with this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HHQDPM/?tag=backy-20

It worked really great for keeping the water from freezing but not at the top opening. It was almost impossible to unscrew the top off because it froze shut. Nightmare...

 

[ruchelle]

I use Brite-tap Chicken waterer threaded into an insulted 5 gal crew beverage cooler 10 months out of the year. Filled with water with a little vinegar the water stays fresh for a month. This combo has changed chicken keeping for us!!!!! The 2 components are available on Amazon and I’m sure elsewhere. In our brief winters I use a heated dog bowl for freezing weather.

 

[Almosta Farm]

A bit off topic, but on apple cider vinegar: my girls drink the waterer with vinegar empty before drinking the one with tap water only. So I guess they think it tastes good

Just be careful not to use ACV with anything metal ... the acid can cause metals to leach into the water and will also cause it to rust.

 

[funnyfoshay]

We have 9 hens. We bought a heatet plastic tray style waterer this winter that worked very well. for non freezing temps we have like a bucket with the little red cups. We didn't have a ton of luck with horizontal nipples and ACV would clog but the cups seemed to be enjoyed by all the hens. Now we have a large galvanized?? aluminum? classic tray style waterer for this spring and summer. I have noticed the metal is eroding just with the water and I am worried that the water will be too warm and grow bacteria in the summer heat but it has been great so far.

 

[funnyfoshay]

Maybe I'll try the heated dog water bowl this winter.

Last winter I used one of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HHFA92/?tag=backy-20
with this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HHQDPM/?tag=backy-20

It worked really great for keeping the water from freezing but not at the top opening. It was almost impossible to unscrew the top off because it froze shut. Nightmare...

we got a similar waterer this winter but it was a rounder shape with a green tray- worked perfectly.