Searching for the perfect waterer

[wamtazlady]

With my flock in Idaho, I used a bucket with vertical nipples and a bucket heater in the winter. I had a thermocube (link below) that would turn the heater on when it got cold, but didn't have it running all the time. When the temps were below zero, the vertical nipples would sometimes get stuck frozen and I'd have to loosen them, but that was only when it was very cold. I was very happy with the setup - it worked well with minimal hassle.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006U2HD2

I like vertical nipples and have used them. However, they have issues. They are more likely to leak than horizontal nipples. They are also more likely to freeze than horizontal nipples. At what temperature would your vertical nipples freeze? My horizontal nipples were not frozen as low as -22 F.

 

[~KH~]

I like vertical nipples and have used them. However, they have issues. They are more likely to leak than horizontal nipples. They are also more likely to freeze than horizontal nipples. At what temperature would your vertical nipples freeze? My horizontal nipples were not frozen as low as -22 F.

I don't remember for sure, and at that point I didn't know about (or just wasn't using for some reason) the horizontal nipples. That's what I'm using now, but we don't get any very cold temps where I'm at now.

 

[Vicker]

In my experience the nipples are best for chicks but not for adults. Here in the hot Texas summers, my hens can't seem to quench their thirst with these. And any type of gravity waterer has always ended up leaking out all the water no matter how I fought it. I resorted to filling up a plastic tub and letting them drink directly from that. I don't let chicks around something that they couldn't get out of if they fell in. In winter, I use a heated plastic pail.

 

[ellend]

I bought one of the heated chicken waterers; returned it. The tops don't screw onto the bottoms well enough, and 2 out of 3 times, every time I cleaned & refilled it, I got a bath. Sometimes more than once. I hoped it was a fluke, but the second one I tried did the same. I use a heated dog water bowl, now, also.

 

[ChickenCurt]

So, after a rusty mishap, we're looking for a poultry waterer that meets a few specific criteria. I've looked around, but not a lot of listings answer these questions outright. It needs to:

- be able to take apple cider vinegar and probiotic tablets (our metal one rusted out)
- be able to be set on a heating pad for winter months
- be able to withstand freezing temperatures without cracking
- have a closed top, of course

I figure the right kind of high temp plastic would work, but product details don't exactly list a melting point. I'd appreciate specific recommendations!

Drippers are the best if you have the ingenuity to set them up you can insert them in PVC pipe or go on a small scale and use a plastic bucket. Or you can get plastic waterers that looks similar to the metal ones but have twisted tops and caps to twist on water feed opening so as not to make a mess when refilling (do not over tighten lid on these types as a over squish the gasket and nearly fuse the lid to the container) they also make a heated version if you live in snow country)

 

[Judy Todd]

So, after a rusty mishap, we're looking for a poultry waterer that meets a few specific criteria. I've looked around, but not a lot of listings answer these questions outright. It needs to:

- be able to take apple cider vinegar and probiotic tablets (our metal one rusted out)
- be able to be set on a heating pad for winter months
- be able to withstand freezing temperatures without cracking
- have a closed top, of course

I figure the right kind of high temp plastic would work, but product details don't exactly list a melting point. I'd appreciate specific recommendations!

Imust admit, we do not get freezing weather very often, but when we do here is my solution. I have a magnetic heater that I attach to a old metal pan, whick is on some bricks to raise the height, then put the plastic waterer on it. Works great, just enough heat to keep the water from freezing.

 

[AltonaAcres]

We use a plastic waterer year-round, we just hand-break the ice. That's the best solution I've found so far.

 

[ALeyva]

I got this on amazon. You will need a little extension cord to plug it in if you don’t have an outlet close but it works great for me. It is very good quality. I put it away when the temperature stopped freezing and switched back to a regular waterer when it warmed up. I also had it suspended above ground by two cords and the handle did not break at all. (The green marks are how I had it hanging.)

 

[Almosta Farm]

I use a 6 gallon rubber horse feed tub (it's about 4" high) with a birdbath heater in it ... works great. I put 4 12" pavers together to make a square pad for it to sit on so they don't kick dirt into it.

 

[Lori S]

Ah gotcha! I’m glad apple cider vinegar worked for you. I just know a lot of people don’t use it anymore since there’s been research done that shows there’s no proof it actually had any benefits aside from making the water taste bad.

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