11 Best Chicken Waterers To Keep Your Flock Hydrated In 2022
Keep your flock hydrated while also saving time and reducing wastage with these waterers.
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Chickens tend to make a mess and throw all the debris and droppings into their feeding bowls. And cleaning these bowls frequently can be a pain. The best solution to this is providing your flock with a chicken waterer. Chicken waterers can provide your chickens with a continuous flow of clean and fresh water.
This post brings you a list of the best chicken waterers. So, keep scrolling and pick a waterer to keep your flock hydrated and healthy. However, before we dive into the list, let’s have a look at the different types of chicken waterers.
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Types of Chicken Waterers
Most chicken waterers available in the market fall under these two basic types.
- Gravity-fed chicken waterer: This type of waterer works on gravity. The design entails a water supply tank and drinking cups with valves to control the water flow. Most poulterers prefer this model as it allows the flock to drink water easily from it. The drinking cups automatically get refilled every time the chickens drink from them.
- Nipple-fed chicken waterer: This is a hygienic option for supplying clean and fresh water to your flock. The nipple fed system includes a water supply tank to which spark-plug-like devices (nipples) are attached. The chickens need to peck the nipples to drink water. This is the best option to feed water to chickens as it reduces the chances of the water getting dirty.
11 Best Chicken Waterer
1. Best Easy-To-Refill:RentACoop Automatic Chicken Waterer Cup
RentACoop auto-fill cups are perfect for keeping your poultry hydrated in warm temperatures. This pack contains six auto-fill watering cups that need to be connected to a water supply unit–it could be a bucket, barrel, PVC piping, or food container. All you need to do is follow the instructions to install the cups depending on your farm layout and the needs of your flock. Freshwater flows into the cup automatically without the use of tabs and valves as the flocks drink the water from the cups. You can check this YouTube video for more information about the product.
Pros
- Suitable for gravity-fed systems or a float valve or pressure regulator
- Maintains the right water level with no overflowing problems
- Large, durable plastic cups
- Avoids drowning
- Easy to refill
- Available in different pack sizes to suit different flock sizes
Cons
- May not be easy to clean
2. Best Easy-To-Install:RentACoop 2 Gallon Chicken Waterer
RentACoop chicken waterer comes with four horizontal nipples, with two on each side of the bucket. The two-gallon bucket provides enough water to four hens for more than five days and has a lid with a cap opening to let you fill in the water using a garden hose. You could also open the lid for a wider mouth opening. The poultry waterer can be hung in the corner of the chicken coop or just placed on the ground to let the chickens peck the nipples to have a drink. If you are still unsure about purchasing, you can check out a review of this product on YouTube.
Pros
- Made of 100% food-grade and BPA-free plastic
- Access to clean and fresh water 24/7
- Easy to refill
- Cone lid cover prevents chickens from roosting on the top
- Easy to install
- No water wastage
Cons
- May take time for the flock to learn how to drink from it
3. Best Heavy-Duty:Little Giant Plastic Dome Waterer
The Little Giant plastic dome waterer is a gravity-fed waterer that can hold eight gallons of water. The waterer is off the ground to make it convenient for the flock to drink from it. As the chickens drink from it, the tray slowly fills back to its optimum level. The top lid is easy to remove, and the tank can be filled with a garden hose. You can check out this YouTuber’s review of the product if you require more convincing.
Pros
- Made of sturdy and durable heavy-duty plastic material
- Dome-shaped design prevents roosting on the top
- Gasket on the lid to prevent spillage
- See-through plastic material to check the water level
- Easy to assemble
- Deep water tray
Cons
- Tank may not be easy to clean
4. Best UV-Resistant:Royal Rooster Waterer And Feeding Set
Royal Rooster watering and feeding set is perfect for a chicken coop with four to six chickens. The waterer has a one-gallon capacity and includes two watering cups at the bottom. These cups are valve-operated and offer a steady flow of water when the chickens drink from them, thus giving them fresh water every time. The feeding system holds 6.5lb of feed and comes with a rain cover. The set further includes two lids and four aluminum brackets and screws for wall-fitting
Pros
- Suitable for use inside or outside the coop
- Includes a hook for easy hanging
- Keeps the feed and water off the ground
- Avoids feed and water wastage
- Made of UV-resistant PVC and ABS plastic material
- Easy to put together
Cons
- Waterer may start leaking after extended use
5. Best Galvanized Steel:Little Giant Round Hanging Waterer
Little Giant round hanging waterer is best suited for adult birds and has a capacity of 16oz. It is recommended for someone maintaining a very small flock of chickens. The waterer is made of galvanized steel and has built-in hooks to keep it off the ground. Further, this gravity-fed waterer has a single container that works as a water storage unit and drinking tray.
Pros
- Suitable for use as a feeder too
- Rounded edges to avoid chaffing and injuries
- Reduces spillage and soiling of water
- Requires no assembly
- Easy to install
Cons
- Hooks may not be durable
6. Best Sturdy:Cruzadel Auto-Refill Poultry Drinker Cups
Cruzadel auto-refill poultry drinker cups allow you to customize the watering system as per your coop layout. This pack includes six watering cups that are easy to connect to a bucket or a PVC pipe. You can choose the bucket capacity according to the flock size or connect the cups to different buckets and place them at different positions. In addition, the watering cups have a float regulator to keep the water at an optimum level and avoid spilling and overflowing.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Sturdy and durable
- Avoids splashing of water
- Easy to rinse
Cons
- May not be ideal for use in places with freezing temperatures
7.Best BPA-Free:BriteTap Model 2 Chicken Waterer
BriteTap Model 2 is a new version of chicken water designed with a nipple feeding system to keep the water clean and fresh. This chicken nipple waterer is specifically designed to fit Igloo and Rubbermaid beverage coolers, and you can also attach the waterer to other buckets by drilling a hole into them. It features a drinking nipple valve on either side and a cleanout plug in the center that makes cleaning effortless. The waterer offers enough water for up to 16 chickens.
Pros
- Made of BPA-free plastic material
- Avoids water contamination caused by dirt and droppings
- Easy to install
- Longer metal nipples make pecking easy
- Requires no regular cleaning
- Keeps the water cool in summers
Cons
- May leak after extended use
8. Best Height-Adjustable:Premier 1 Supplies Chick Nipple Waterer
The nipple waterer from Premier 1 Supplies has a one-liter water capacity and is easy to install with two different wall hanging brackets included. The hanging brackets can be used to attach the waterer to the brooder or coop wall. In addition, this waterer comes with a single nipple tap that supplies clean and fresh water to the little chicks all day long.
Pros
- Multiple ways of installation
- Height-adjustable bracket
- Keeps the water away from droppings and other contamination
- Prevents drowning of chicks
- Easy to open and refill
- BPA-free plastic
Cons
- Wall bracket may not be durable
9. Best Spill-Proof:Love My Barnyard Love My Hens Poultry Waterer
Love My Hens poultry waterer from Love My Banyard is made with food-grade stainless steel material. It has a capacity of 1.3 gallons and is perfect for up to six chickens. The watering can is mounted with horizontal nipples, and the tight-fitting lid keeps the water clean and fresh all day long. The design also features a long handle that makes it easy for you to carry and hang it anywhere your flock frequents.
Pros
- Made of phthalate- and BPA-free material
- Wide mouth lid for easy rinsing and refilling
- Prevents water spilling and contamination
- Includes one spare nipple
- Sturdy and durable
Cons
- May take time for the chickens to learn how to use it
10. Best Food-Grade:Auto-Fill Automatic Chicken Waterer
Auto-Fill Automatic chicken waterer comes with a five-gallon capacity bucket along with four drinking cups, a garden hose connection, a snap-on lid, and a steel hanger. All you need to do is hang it or place it on slightly raised ground, connect it to the garden hose, and turn on the water supply. Moreover, the waterer refills automatically.
Pros
- Provides clean and fresh water
- Saves you from regular refilling
- Easy-to-clean cups
- Avoids spilling and splashing onto the ground
- Automatic fill valve system
- Food-grade material
Cons
- May clog up pretty quickly
11. Best Capacity:Harris Farms Double Wall Poultry Drinker
Harris Farms poultry drinker features a double wall, which creates a vacuum process to ensure a constant supply of water into the drinking tray. It is made of heavy-duty galvanized steel and has a water capacity of five gallons. This chicken waterer has a simple design suitable for mixed flocks and chicks.
Pros
- Sturdy and durable material
- Easy to rinse and refill
- Cone-shaped lid to prevent roosting on the top
- Compatible with Harris Farms heated drinker base
Cons
- Not suitable for hanging
How To Choose The Right Chicken Waterers?
Here are a few factors and features that you should consider to pick the right chicken waterer for your flock.
- Material: Chicken waterers are made of materials such as plastic, stainless steel, and galvanized steel. When choosing a plastic waterer, ensure the plastic is made of food-grade material and free of BPA. Plastic waterers are lightweight, while the metal waterers are long-lasting.
- Type: Consider the type that is best suited for your chicken coop or backyard.
- Size: Choose the water capacity of the waterer according to the flock size and how often you plan to refill the tank.
- Climatic conditions: If you live in a cold climate, consider choosing a heated chicken waterer to prevent the water from getting cold. You may also buy a heating base for the colder months.
- Poultry composition: Choose the depth, size, and quantity of the waterers based on the flock composition. Chicks prefer drinking from shallow waterers, whereas ducks prefer drinking from deep bowls.
- Additional features: Chicken waterers with handles and hooks are convenient to hang on the walls, inside and outside the coops. Look for features that make it easy for you to carry, refill, and rinse the waterer.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much water does a chicken need?
A chicken may require anywhere from half a liter to five liters of water a day depending on its breed and size and the season.
2. How many waterers will my flock need?
The number of waterers your flock needs depends on the size of your flock. A two-gallon chicken waterer with four drinking cups is suitable for eight chickens per day or four chickens for two days. So the more chickens you have, the more waterers you need.
3. How should I clean a chicken waterer?
You can use a brush and dishwashing soap to clean the waterer. You may also clean it with a diluted bleach solution and rinse well to prevent bacterial growth in the water reservoir.
Chicken waterers are worth buying, as cleaning the mess out of food and water that the flock leaves behind can be tiring. In addition, they ensure that your flock gets a continuous water supply. Choosing a chicken waterer made of BPA-free material is important as the hens and chickens should have access to safe water free of toxins. Since they’re available in various sizes, gauge the size of your flock before zeroing in on a specific waterer.
Why Trust MomJunction?
We have compiled this list of the best chicken waterers to ensure your poultry flock gets clean and fresh water every time. The list includes both gravity-fed and nipple waterers that are durable and easy to refill and install. Moreover, we have also included a buying guide mentioning the factors you should consider when choosing a chicken waterer. These products have been chosen after considering user reviews to offer you an unbiased opinion.
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