What kind of heated waterer do you use?

[sbates]

Temperatures are hovering around 5 degrees here... and I need a new heated waterer. I was using a 3 gallon plastic one.. the kind with the red base and a translucent plastic top.. that you fill from the bottom. However.. I hate this thing. It falls apart when I try to fill it.. you have to fill it from the bottom and the plug set up is ridiculous. I need a new one!!! I was toying with the idea of getting one of those heated metal bases and getting a metal waterer to put on top. Interested to hear what you thoughts are on this. What do you use. Thanks.

 

[CoopCrazy]

I use these for my chickens and my ducks... Found em on sale for 9.99 each...

http://www.ruralking.com/heated-round-pet-bowl.html

 

[sbates]

Quote:
Thanks for the reply. Actually I have this same one and do use it occasionally.. the problem is that with 25 chickens.. it empties fast.. plus it gets absolutely filthy as they stand in it and whatnot. I was looking for something a little larger and covered... and that can take a little abuse as sometimes the goats get into this thing and knock it over. I don't know.. just interested to hear the strategies out there on this.

 

[LynneP]

I use a 1.5 gal electric dog bowl- I have a small flock of 12 hens. I set it in a ribber stock bowl on an elevated pation block and I'm quite satisfied. The birds perch mostly on the rubber bowl so it keeps the electric bowl cleaner. The coop is insulated and I get some ice crumble on the top when the coop gets down to -6C, which is rare. You can see it in the winter link below.

 

[rcentner]

thanks for the link, I couldn't find a heated dog bowl for under $30, check craigslist, I got a dog bowl for $10..works great! Now I just need 1 more. There is a thread on here about how to make your own water heater base just like the metal ones they sell for $45-50. Take a cookie tin, drill some holes and put a light bulb in it is what they did. I haven't tried it cause my chooks like the water outside and that was not a good option for outside water. Good luck!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=107951&p=1

 

[Doormantnt]

That was my latest addition to....I made a "cookie tin" heater. And I do use it outside ONLY.....
I don't like the idea of water, electric, and tinder (shavings) all in the same place.

I used landscaping bricks to kinda make a stacked outdoor looking "grill" around the tin so it is off the ground, and surrounded and protected.

on the tin I use 2-25 watt appliance bulbs, with one of the cheap plastic gallon waters (I know a no-no) but all I have....been using it for bout 1 1/2 month now, and no issues.

I have one waterer in coop, and one in covered, secure run, and at night I take the one off the heater, and put it in the coop. and by morning the one in the coop is crusted over, but the one on the heater is chilled, but open.

Here in MD it is only now chilling down, unlike those to the north, but still freezing water.

I also have a 3 gallon tub in the run, and that will freeze bout 1" on top, but the one with heater is fine.

TNT

 

[adkchickmama]

Bought a heated dog bowl at Wmart for 14 chooks. I do fill it everyday and am considering another one. It is raised on cinder blocks to keep the pine shavings out.

 

[The Chicken People]

I use the same heated water bowl but dont put it on a block...I am afraid my bantam would not be able to use it!

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

We use the Little Giant Heater Base coupled with an eight gallon double walled waterer. Here is a link and photo:

http://www.hotshotproducts.com/page/1/Product-Detail.jsp?groupId=306&prodId=43081

 

[chookchick]

I bought a heated dog bowl on sale for $19 at Del's about a week ago. Saw too many people complaining about the heated poultry fonts. So far the bowl has worked great (though we haven't had super cold nights yet). It is quite high-sided, and also sits up on an upside-down plant saucer, and so far it has stayed quite clean.