Watering cups, Spouts, Gravity bowls?

[Reedo5]

Wondering everyone's opinion on watering systems an types? Right now I am using the traditional gravity one gal plastic deal with open bottom edge. But looking for some other options?

 

[wamtazlady]

You might want to read this article. It compares the pros and cons of different types of waterers.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/diy-chicken-waterer-3-compared.72579/

For my situation a semi clear 11 gallon tote with lid, horizontal nipples, and a stock tank deicer work the best. First, it only needs filled once a week. I am in my late 60s and can not tramp through 2 feet of snow to get to the coop. I have to pay the next door neighbor boy to feed and water my birds during a lot of the winter. My girls are older so they don't lay during the winters so I can avoid that issue. My waterer and feed containers last a full week easily and could last another couple days if necessary. Second, even when it is in the -20s F, the waterer has never frozen.

I do have to say that I am lucky to have a freeze proof faucet available for filling the tote during the winter. That makes things so much easier. I use one of those shrinking hoses as they are light weight, take up little space, and can be brought inside easily.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I use Galvanized metal founts inside coops sitting on a heated base. I have enough ventilation to prevent moisture buildup. .
Outside I use rubber bowls and remove ice and refill as needed, usually 2/3 times daily in my climate. .GC

 

[Reedo5]

Thank you both! for the input!

 

[AllenK RGV]

I see you are from NY my opinion on watering would be useless. I have a 12 liter gravity one, another with float valve, and the rest are galvanised feed pans and an old 8 liter WMF stainless steel cook pot. The galvanized/steel ones get flushed daily when we water the plants. We do not experience freezes down here.

 

[Acre4Me]

I have the galvanized metal waterer as @GC-Raptor uses with the additional heated base. This is working well.

I tried Horizontal nipples last year, added to the sides of 5-gal bucket. The birds did fine drinking out of them, but then I added the bucket de-icer and neither worked - brand new - but woke up to very icy buckets the first cold morning. Then I added a bucket heater made for the 5 gallon buckets. These come with a metal cage around the heating element so the element never hits the side of the bucket. Unfortunately, this was manufactured poorly and the welds on the cage were made of something that rusted very quickly. The birds did not like hot rusty water. Even when it was fresh water, they wouldn't drink it. So last year we used an open heated dog bowl raised up on concrete blocks.

 

[blackdog043]

I like horizontal nipple waterers, clean water all the time. Here's my build for a winter set up.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ock-tank-deicer-and-horizontal-nipples.74609/

 

[aart]

HN's all the way!!
Especially in winter.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-heated-waterer-with-horizontal-nipples.67256/

 

[Reedo5]

thank you all. what brand is that tank heater?

 

[Ghosty]

I use horizontal nipples on kitty litter buckets for the coop and run, and an open crock outside. I still don't have a deicer, so I have to knock them out and refill once in awhile. Winters aren't too bad here in southern Missouri most of the time.