Waterers.....

[jessierose]

Is there an alternative to a bulky waterer? Does anyone just give their chickens a big bowl and change it several times a day? Or....are there other pet waterers that work well for chickens?

 

[gritsar]

Mine have an old feed basin as their outside waterer. I have the traditional 3 gal. waterer in the coop.
If you want to get really high tech. they have nipple watering systems, similiar to what's used in commercial chicken houses. I was looking at some of those last night in a catalog from FarmTek. www.FarmTek.com

 

[jessierose]

I counted on being able to use an old waterer my brother had but it was broken when I went to get it. I just don't have a single dollar more to spend this week.
What can I use until I can afford a proper waterer?

 

[gritsar]

Are you needing it for full grown chickens or chicks?
If chickens, I would say any heavy dish would do. You can elevate it on a brick or some pieces of wood to help keep it cleaner.
If chicks, you'll have to be very careful about the size of the basin because they can drown. I would say look for a heavy container and fill it with several rocks or marbles to keep the chicks from falling in. Again, elevating it so they have to reach up just a bit will help keep them from climbing in and also keep it cleaner.

 

[jessierose]

It's for almost grown girls. They are kind of....teenage Rhode Island Reds. They have my giant, heavy measuring cup right now and are doing fine with it.
When I can afford something new next week...what is the best waterer for the lowest price?

 

[granmahen]

We were talking about this on another post. Small animal waterers are my favorite and by the time chickens are almost or full grown you can switch to plastic 2 liter soda bottles. Just get the top that fits.

 

[RendonRoo]

I have to 1 gal. waterers that i got from TSC for around 5 bucks apiece. I couldn't make something for that amount. I have them set up on blocks to keep clean and haven't had a problem yet. The important thing is that they have water so i think what your doing is just fine. Good Luck

 

[ldemmert]

Materials: fairly heavy 10" diameter bundt pan or something (jello salad?) mold; large plastic pretzel can.
to make the cheap waterer:
1. Put the pretzel can, open end down, in the bundt pan.
2. Mark a spot on the pretzel can about 1/4" to 1/2" below the bundt pan rim.
3. Poke a small hole through the pretzel can. Position is important; too low and the chickens can't get to the water; too high and the pan over-flows.
4. Fill the pretzel can with water; put the bundt pan on the pretzel can and flip over. The hole lets some air in so some water can get out to keep the bundt pan full.
I like the pretzel cans because they are clean and I can see the water level.
The bundt pan is about 2" larger diameter than the pretzel can so the chickens can get water but no so much debris gets in.
And, it's heavy enough when full that they haven't tipped it over yet.

 

[G Wiz Ranch]

I use the automatic trough waterer from Murry McMurry for the chickens and a homemade version for the ducks that drains and flushes. Both get wiped down once a week on wednesdays and then rinsed and washed with bleach on Sat or Sun.