Waterers!

[Colored Egg Farmer]

I like me one gallon plastic waters they never leak. I got a 5 gallon water last year and if that is just tipped half an inch it leaks. The worst part is if you tap it just right while your carrying it you also get 5 gallons of water on your foot.

 

[emilyfrancis]

I'm struggling with my galvanized 5 gallon leaking too.
Any suggestions for repair? It seems it lets out water even when perfectly level.

 

[mountaintopchicken]

Here's what bugs me - why doesn't anyone make stainless steel chicken waterers?

Galvanized ones shouldn't have ACV in them, and they wear out or rust eventually.

Plastic ones shatter in cold weather if you drop them, lend to leak or have the top come apart from the bottom while you are carrying it, and I've never had one longer than 2 years. They are cheap and cheaply made. Plus, now we're getting all of this information about how eating and drinking out of plastic isn't always so good for people - maybe it's not the best for chickens? I would bet there's a good chance that there are chemicals leaching out of the plastic and into the chicken's water.

So why doesn't anyone make stainless steel waterers? Sure, they would probably be more expensive, but if they last and last, they would pay for themselves eventually. And they probably wouldn't be that expensive - we feed our dogs out of stainless steel dog bowls we got for about 70 cents each online, and stainless steel larger dog water bowls don't cost that much either.

I would pay a decent amount of money for a stainless steel waterer.

 

[cjeanean]

Quote:
Using duct tape or the green high adhesive tape from the paint store to cover the holes allows you to refill the waterer without the water leaking out. Once you put the lid on the water can't get out until you pull the tape off. The oil pan fills with water up to the hole in the bucket (if the highest hole is 2 inches from the base of the bucket then the water will be 2 inches deep in the oil pan).

 

[bubbazmommy]

That is an awesome, $$ saving idea. What do you do in the winter??

 

[cjeanean]

make two of them. I have enough chickens so that the coop takes a while to freeze, so I have one inside that I fill and carry out to change out with the frozen/empty one. I tried this last year before the chickens were out there (I've only had mine since Feb) and it seemed like it would work. We're also thinking of ways to rig a water heater up out there, but if all else fails the exchange system will have to do. I'll take some pics when I have a chance and PM them to you....

 

[Riocotesei]

On the 5 gallon bucket idea, What if, instead of taking it out, drying it, and putting tape over the hole. Instead drill a hole big enough for a hose to fit in at the top to fill it up and then using a rubber plug or cork to make it air tight again. I don't know if that will work but it's just an idea. That would save lugging it around.

Sorry I know my sentances are messy-I'm super sleepy and my brain is not functioning to create comprehensive sentances.

 

[cjeanean]

That would work too! Either way, the hole has to be covered and airtight to fill the bucket. I use tape cause I drilled 2 holes instead of just one and I'm not motivated enough to find a cork. LOL! Thanks for adding that!

BTW, just to clarify....the cork would need to be used at the base of the bucket in the water flow hole, not in the lid or up high. The lid will have to come off each time you fill unless you use two corks, one on top to fill, then replace the top cork and pull the lower cork for water flow. If that makes sense

 

[Riocotesei]

That makes perfect sence. That is what I meant though...lol I'm slow right now, thanks for clarifying for others.

Another thing I've found very useful with my older chickens is one of those long window planters. Ya know, like the plastic ones at walmart in the garden area. Oviously I'd pick one without drainage holes. It's worked really well and it's easy to clean/move around. I don't suggest it for ducks though. They'll play and swim in it all day.

 

[Jarhead]

I am using this one now. Really works well. http://www.jefferslivestock.com/ssc...797R501MH5D8G3E411P2BBA3PEE211A&pf_id=0029621