What type of waterer do you use?

[blackdog043]

@RoosterML Yep, great set up you have. The inside should stay clean enough to just add water with gallon jugs, if your ok not rinsing it out when it gets empty. I usually top mine off, once a week. I only rinse mine out a few times a year, some people don't feel comfortable just adding water, which is fine. I have a 14 gallon drum in the run, that I don't heat. If/when it gets below freezing temps, I'll dump it out and put it back in use in March.

 

[HH.Wench]

I LOVE my Royal Rooster waterer for a small flock. You can mount it on the side of your coop or a wooden fence post. It lifts right off the mount brackets easily for cleaning. Zero algae growth. Uses float valves that self-fill the cups, so birds don't need to learn how to operate/peck any levers.

 

[flyin-lowe]

Ive tried a few different waterers. 5 gallon with horizontal nipples, heated dog bowls, etc. This fall I bought a 5 gallon double fount with heated base. My 16 hens can go 5 days give or take in the winter on 5 gallons so I like not having to haul water out every day. It is a set it and forget it system. The base only turns on when needed so it is not wasting electricity. I have it sitting up on blocks in the coop so they can reach it but it is pretty high so it stays pretty clean. Once a week I take a 5 gallon buck it there, dump the old out, wipe out the tray and refill.

 

[RoosterML]

I LOVE my Royal Rooster waterer for a small flock. You can mount it on the side of your coop or a wooden fence post. It lifts right off the mount brackets easily for cleaning. Zero algae growth. Uses float valves that self-fill the cups, so birds don't need to learn how to operate/peck any levers.

Those are fine until temps dip below freezing, I've used the cups similar to yours and they get slimmy from the chickens getting them dirty.

 

[HH.Wench]

Those are fine until temps dip below freezing, I've used the cups similar to yours and they get slimmy from the chickens getting them dirty.

I agree, but all waterers will freeze unless heated. All will get dirty also, if not cleaned - even a plain dish. My cups have never gotten slimy personally, I just splash a little water into then to flush them out each time I refill the main tank - takes 2 seconds.

 

[kerbotx]

I just bought an electric heated one from premier1 that I'm trying out.
It has horizontal nipples and while I have mine hanging which works for me it could easily be set on cinder blocks or the top of a 3 gallon bucket.
In fact the manufacturer's information actually states that it can be set on top of a 3-gallon bucket as a recommended alternative to hanging.
I love my plastic trough style 5-gallon waterer that I use in the summertime.
But it does get poop and occasional pine shavings or feed into it and it's not as clean as a nipple waterer.

Photo of the trough, please?

 

[kerbotx]

The horizontal nipples on a bucket can sit on the ground or on a cinder block easy, but you do not want to use ACV with them. ACV can damage the metal over time.

How much time are we talking? I consider the poultry nipples cheap enough, I wouldn't let this issue deter me -- poultry nipples are THE BEST for clean water, IMO.

 

[Shadrach]

I use the clay water pots. They're like old clay bottles with a cup at the base on one side. There are six of those here. each one gets swilled out and fresh water put in once or twice a day.
They help keep the water cool in the summer and don't seem to freeze like open bowls or plastic waterer's.

 

[RoosterML]

How much time are we talking? I consider the poultry nipples cheap enough, I wouldn't let this issue deter me -- poultry nipples are THE BEST for clean water, IMO.

X2 minus ACV

 

[rocking chickens]

Nipple waters on a PVC pipe that has water pumped through it from a 5 gallon bucket out side the coop. Takes up no space and it rarely freezes.