Waterers-need ideas

[desertgirl]

We need to do something different with our waterer. We have some of those standard plastic waterers, but it always gets straw kicked in it and becomes completely ineffective. We were going to start online shopping for a hanging waterer, but wanted to get everyone's input first (this site has become the oracle of all thigs chicken for me!!!).

Please help-we live in the high desert and water is absolutely essential for all of us critters, but I am especially concerned for our flock. At this point we are just putting out tons of waterers filled with ice cubes in the morning, but by the time we get home in the evening they are parched!

 

[Mahonri]

I put in frozen water bottles into the waterers. The cold lasts longer.

I also don't believe in hanging waterers. I elevate mine on blocks of some sort.

 

[sben451]

I don't know how many chickens you have, but you might try what I did by making waterers from 5 gallon buckets. I got the new buckets and lids from Home Depot. I drilled three small 1/4" holes just below the lower edge of the lid when attached to the bucket. I used the cordless drill to run the three holes together to make an oval hole about 1/4" X 1". Fill the bucket, snap on the lid, and turn it upside down in a galvanized or plastic pan that is about 4" tall and a few inches larger in diameter than the top of the bucket lid (feed pan from TSC). The water will stop flowing from the bucket when the water level reaches the hole in the bucket and the chickens can drink from the pan all around the bucket.
Elevate the waterer on blocks or something similar to help keep the chickens from scratching litter into the water.

 

[Chicken Ninja]

I did something similar to sben451, here's a picture

 

[sillybirds]

Here's what I made and a link for original thread discussing it:

Quick Tipover-proof Poop-resistant One Gallon Waterer

 

[New adventure]

I saw one similar to previous posters that had a big water jug (office type bottled water) inverted into the bucket with holes. I don't know what the sizes are but I want to make one if I can figure it out.

I must be tired - that is a horrible description, sorry!

 

[Rooster Cogburn Jr.]

in my brooder box I set the waterers up on magazines to keep the chips out. As they grew I added more magazines. I kept the water about neck level just so they could drink. And didn't have anymore problems with wood chips.

 

[MIKE555444]

I have 14 nearly grown hens and 1 rooster. I use a "store bought" 1 gal waterer but the trick for me was to set it up on the blocks as shown below. I rinse and change the water in this every day but it is generally only 2/3 gone. I do have a backup open flowerpot full of water in the run just to be sure they don't run out. I had the same problem before putting the waterer up on the blocks. As long as they can still reach it well they can drink it all good and it stay clean.