Waterer not automatically filling

[winstonsgrrrl]

I've got a quail waterer for my chicks that is the kind with the red base and the quart-size plastic jar. My problem is the water in the red base will either be drank or evaporate from the heat lamp, and it's not refilling. every time I check it, it's bone dry and the plastic jar is still full.

 

[canada-goose]

Pictures?

 

[feathersnuggles]

I had a similar, no refill problem with my 3 gallon galvanized waterer, until I realized it was caused by unevenness of the material it was sitting on. Put your waterer on a level surface (check with a level or make sure it's on something like a kitchen counter top). Remove water with a bulb baster, syringe, eyedropper or something like that. Once you remove enough water, it should refill a little. If not, there's a problem with the thing & you should return it to the place you purchased and get a replacement.

 

[ThePamperedPullet]

Most common problem is that the jar screws too far down into the base. This happens a lot if using mason jars or old mayonaise jars (plastic or glass). Try a different jar in it if you have an extra. You can also try shaving just a bit off the lip of the jar with a razor blade. Usually just a 1/16th of an inch will make all the difference.

 

[LAMchop]

I had this problem with one of those red plastic waterer bases on a mason jar. It never occurred to me to try a different jar

, but I would screw the base on tightly, then unscrew it a little bit so it was wobbly, and the water could flow out.