Want to know what people think of heated plastic waterers (3gallon)

[ctcasper]

I just ordered one from my local feed store, the price was $31 plus shipping to get it to me tomorrow. He said he would guarantee it won't be more than 40 total. That is over 10 cheaper than I could get it online anywhere and it is next day shipping. But now I am worried about how well they work. We were exchanging out regular plastic waterers twice a day after they froze, but now one broke from the frozen water (we can't get out there more than that.) We are having low temps in the -20 range and they are talking about temps as low as -30 in the next couple days. Will the electric heated dish keep up inside the coop. We can hardly ever see our breath when inside the coop even though it isn't heated. We have 9 chickens inside a 4x8 coop and they refuse to come out when we open the door. Anyone have any experience with these?????? Good or bad??

 

[chantecler]

HI there

I just started using the Farm Innovator heated 3 gallon waterer and so far it works great!! It doesn't leak and it doesn't freeze. And it's been freekin cold here.
You do need a fairly flat surface to put it on though.
But I really like mine so far (1 week).
Hope this helps!

 

[chantecler]

Oh ya, I paid way more than that with the shipping and duty to Canada.

But no regrets

 

[patandchickens]

Some people have found they need to be on a VERY level platform to avoid overflow. I haven't had this problem, OTOH my platform probably *is* pretty level

I am extremely happy with mine, the only thing I can say is it is a pain in the patootie to refill b/c the top is not flat. I've been balancing it between my feet to fill and then try to get the base screwed on right, which requires good safecracking skills. Just last time, I discovered I can sit it upsidedown in the large dog dish I keep in the pen for feeding kitchen scraps in... that *plus* my feet and lower legs makes it more stable to fill. It is still a challenge to get the base screwed on correctly (it is sort of a rotary bayonet-mount, you have to get it lined up *just right* and then give 1/8 turn in correct direction, while of course not being able to see what you're doing).

I also wish they had an integral cord, rather than making you plug in an extension cord right under the lip of the base which worries me a tad (use a GFCI-protected outlet!)

In terms of function, though, once you've got it filled and upright, I love it, it works great for me.

Pat

 

[jvls1942]

they work just fine.. it will not freeze, therefor it will not crack.

I would suggest raising it off the floor on like a cement block or something to keep the chickens from scratching dirt and bedding into the trough..

 

[Sharedspirit]

wow! I will now stop complaining about our single digit temps!

I just go change the water several times a day. Where I live in WV, the power goes out alot when it's this cold.

I would need a solar charged heated plastic waterer to make it worth my while. Does anyone make one of those? lol

 

[pattya]

Ive been using one for 3 months no problems.Some folks have complained about turning over after filling.I've found that you must turn over quickly close to the flat LEVEL surface on which you are placing the waterer,aliitle spillage is going to happen..far better than frozen water.I have a guinea coop that Ive been using a water heater made from a cookie tin(BYC POST) it has been great in low temps using a stainless steel restaurant 3 gallon steam table insert to hold water ..works great also.

 

[Tiempo]

Mine was frozen this morning (-8)

But I cracked the ice and there was water underneath, so it's still better than nothing.

 

[notsooldmcdonald]

For the goal of keeping my birds supplied with liquid water, it's fantastic. As for ease of use, not so much. I'm lucky enough to have one with a rubber stopper in the bottom of the base, so I can close it and _then_ fill it. Unfortunately, I have a real knack for somehow having the handle come off, and I've spilled the entire 3 gallons several times and even broken a sink when it slipped out of my hands (cheap sink though).

I'm really trying to come up with a good solution to the handle issue because it's always the reason I drop it.

-Christian

 

[patandchickens]

My idiot chickens somehow unplugged theirs today! (Where the extension cord plugs in under the rim of the waterer). Morons. There was only a skim of ice, so it obviously hadn't been that way for too awful long, but if it happens again I'll need to think about how to protect the cord. Stupid birds!

Pat