Whats your favorite waterer?

[Kylea0219]

I tried this waterer it leaks on the bedding one drop at a time. My chickens will use it but they don't like it. They would never touch it when I have their other waterer available.



This one doesn't leak if its only filled half way and it annoys me because they are out of water when I get home from work. I don't like making them wait for water. They should have access 24/7. If i fill it more than a gallon and a half it just floods over the edge on to the coop floor.




I am looking for something that wont make a mess. They only time my coop ever smells is when there is water involved.

Any suggestions?

 

[GitaBooks]

My chickens love to get their water dirty, so I understand how frustrating it can be. I have a mix of waterers:

This includes chick waterers, the second waterer you showed, a metal waterer and a few plastic ones, and then buckets. The larger plastic ones I use when young chicks are out with the adults, since they would drown in the buckets.


Chick waterers, I use these for new chicks, sick chickens, or broody chickens. They are small and easily fit in a brooder or crate and prevent chicks from drowning


Livestock rubber feeders. These provide plenty of water and space for chickens, work well if they don't dig the bedding into it, and are easy to clean. They also allow chickens to stand in them and cool off on hot days. They work great in winter, since they are easier to knock the ice out of without breaking them.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I like the 5 gallon metal ones - but not the 2 gallon ones (they leaked for me). I bleach them out to clean them and they work great when I put them up on a couple of concrete blocks to keep them level. They have to be level though!

For winter I use black rubber tubs when we get some freezing weather. As GitaBooks referred to, you can turn them over and step on them and the ice comes out.

 

[srhmchlk]

Never tried water nipples. I also had issues with the 2nd one you show - could never get it sitting even and spilled everywhere!

I personally like the 1 gallon waterers, and keep 2 of them. The handle has a bend that keeps it hanging straight, and the patio blocks underneath keeps them surprising clean. For winter I use 1 waterer, and it sits on a homemade water heater - went all winter without frozen water.

Ignore the mulberry mess please, they are dropping like crazy at the moment.

 

[kjstanton]

I have the same ones as above with red bottoms, but they are inside the coop and every time I turn around I have to change the bedding... I'm going crazy! I tried a rock basin but standing water is not good. They have an alternative to the nipples- it's a little cup that attaches to a bucket like the nipple...

 

[kjstanton]

 

[kjstanton]

 

[kjstanton]

What about these ones?

 

[jmayday]

 

[aart]

Horizontal nipples are the gold standard IMO.
Can put in all sized bottle/jugs.....just carry out gallon jugs to refill each day

With heater and insulation during the winter:


Installed in smaller bottles to hang in cages


Or hang in junior coop.