You all inspired me. I made some over the weekend. Here's a description of my version. I took 5 gallon water jugs, the kind from the water cooler that have narrow necks. These were free. Only one had a lid. When I went to Home Depot I saw that they had a lot of jugs and asked if I could take some of the lids. 2 lids - free. I looked at planter drip trays at home depot...they were $6 each and had bumps in the middle...less stable. Next stop was Harbor Freight. They had great plastic oil pans that were a perfect fit for $3 each. I sat the 5 gallon jug in the oil pan and drew a line around it with a marker to show the top of the oil pan relative to the jug. I drilled a hole in the jug an inch or so below that line. Then sat the jug back in the oil pan, filled it with water (with my finger over the newly drilled hole) and put the cap on. Ta da! one amazing waterer. I put bricks around it for the chicks to stand on if needed, but they are getting bigger so they can get to the water anyway. 2 of the 3 waterers leaked over time, so I taped the lids on with electrical tape. They are working great now. Of course, I will be on the look out for better lids. Anyway, I am thrilled. Someone from work gave me their "last year patio umbrellas" so I have those laying around with the waterers under them. The oil pan sides are high enough that the chickens don't poop in them.
Thank you for the tips! We LOVE the new waterers.
