logo
  • Home
  • Aquatic Pets
  • Cats
  • Dogs
  • Pet Birds
  • Pet Reptiles
  • Small Pets
  • All Pets
  • Home
Last updated: 23 Aug 2022
Pets, Paws and Claws is supported by readers. If you click a link we may earn an affiliate commission. Click here for more information.

The Best Poultry Fountains/Waterers

Best Overall
logo
RentACoop Automatic Chicken Waterer
Shop now
Runner Up
logo
Miller Little Giant Plastic Poultry Waterer
Shop now
Good Choice
logo
Supa Deluxe Heavy Duty Poultry Water Drinker
Shop now
Most Compact
logo
Titan Incubators P & T Poultry Drinker
Shop now
Most Durable
logo
Little Giant Poultry and Game Bird Waterer
Shop now
author-image
By Editor
Published 23 Aug 2022
Show contents
  • 1 RentACoop Automatic Chicken Waterer
  • 2 Miller Little Giant Plastic Poultry Waterer
  • 3 Supa Deluxe Heavy Duty Poultry Water Drinker
  • 4 Titan Incubators P & T Poultry Drinker
  • 5 Little Giant Poultry and Game Bird Waterer

Water is as vital to chickens as it is to humans, so your poultry should have access to clean water at all times. That does not mean leaving an old, half-filled bucket outside for your chicks to fight over. They need a poultry fountain or waterer, a reliable hydration system available when you can’t be. Our experts have gathered the best ones for your feathered friends.

 

 

1

RentACoop Automatic Chicken Waterer

– Best Overall
img
Check On Amazon
Key Features

 Place the fountain in the centre of your coop to access the four drinking stations. You can purchase RentACoop’s Hanging Strap to dangle the device from the ceiling; hanging it from the bucket’s handle is not advisable.

THE SCOOP

This five-gallon, sturdy plastic waterer has a sloped roof, so poultry birds cannot roost and potentially tip it over. Beneath this roof is a tight, snap-on lid with a pluggable hole used to refill the tank. Once filled, the drinking vessels will automatically receive water without the chickens having to push a knob. The entire device is white with a bucket handle, red drinking bowls and a printed brand logo. 

Pros
  • Tank fills from on top
  • Large capacity
  • Sloped roof
  • The bowls automatically refill
Cons
  • Bowl attachments are not sturdy
2

Miller Little Giant Plastic Poultry Waterer

– Runner Up
img
Check On Amazon
Key Features

This drinker has a sturdy handle and base, so you can hang it in a coop, place it on the floor, or mount it on bricks. You can remove the jar to clean the dirt out of the fountain’s base and effortlessly snap it back into place when finished.

THE SCOOP

This octagon-shaped waterer is dent-proof plastic, built to last. Its translucent body lets you easily spot the water level to know when it’s running low. The five-gallon jar has a broad opening so you can readily fill and clean it. This waterer regulates the amount of water dispensed using a vacuum-sealed O-ring cap to prevent overflows.

 

Pros
  • Controlled water flow
  • Made from heavy-duty materials
  • Sturdy handle 
Cons
  • Expensive
3

Supa Deluxe Heavy Duty Poultry Water Drinker

– Good Choice
img
Check On Amazon
Key Features

It is initially challenging to detach the tower from the base of the waterer because of its stiffness, but this is intentional to prevent leaking. If you want to keep the drinker on the floor, ensure that the ground is flat and stable to avoid toppling.   

 

THE SCOOP

This bell-shaped game bird drinker holds 12 litres of liquid. It has a comfortable handle for easy transportation, and you can hang it using a small hole in the centre of the handle. You can install the plastic legs if you want to raise the device off the ground. These legs, combined with the shape of the base, make it difficult for chickens to dirty the water.

 

Pros
  • Comes with legs
  • Ergonomic handle
  • Durable, easy-to-clean base 

 

Cons
  • Difficult to refill because there is no top entryway 
4

Titan Incubators P & T Poultry Drinker

– Most Compact
img
Check On Amazon
Key Features

To refill this drinker, remove the tower from the base, turn it upside down to fill, return the bottom piece and twist it to lock it and turn the device right side up again. Avoid hanging this fountain from the handle when filled because the handle is not sturdy enough to support the weight.

THE SCOOP

 This poultry device has a white, bell-shaped tower with a red handle and base. It holds up to six litres and is appropriate for chickens, ducks, geese, quail and other poultry. The base is deep enough for the animals to drink comfortably. When empty, this waterer weighs 450 grams, making it lightweight and easy to clean. 

Pros
  • Deep base
  • Travel-friendly
  • Easy to clean
  • Inexpensive
Cons
  • The device leaks
5

Little Giant Poultry and Game Bird Waterer

– Most Durable
img
Check On Amazon
Key Features

To ensure that the fountain continues to function effectively, clean the threads of the jar thoroughly before reapplying the base, to guarantee an airtight seal. Consistent cleaning of the algae buildup in the tray will help it remain crack-free even after years of daily use.

THE SCOOP

 This highly durable waterer has a large polyethene reservoir. It can withstand hot and cold temperatures. The tray automatically fills without overflowing, thanks to its clever design. You can observe the water line in the jar and refill it before it runs dry. There is a sturdy handle to help transport this three-gallon drinker.

Pros
  •  
  • Translucent jar
  • No leaks
Cons
  • Heavy and challenging to carry when filled

Buying Guide

A poultry waterer is the most convenient way to keep your birds hydrated, but purchasing the wrong one can become a source of constant frustration. Here’s a list of the features to consider when making your selection:

  • Design: Automatic waterers require an outdoor faucet for automated tank refills. Nipple waterers ensure a clean water supply, but check the nipples for clogs. Bell waterers have a simple setup, but you must wash the water tray consistently. Off-the-ground fountains minimise debris in the water but can topple quicker.
  • Storage capacity: Consider how many chickens you have and their water requirements. Then determine how many times a day you are willing or able to replenish the fountain and choose an appropriate size tank. 
  • Durability: Flimsy, dislodged, or broken parts can leak, so your device must be sturdy. Leaks mean your chickens will get less or no water for periods before you notice, which can be detrimental. 
  • Price: It will be worth the price if you’ve found a fountain with the features you need, made from robust materials. Buying a cheap, flimsy one will inconvenience you and your chicks in the long run.
  • Replacement parts: Waterers withstand animals, and the weather and elements of it are likely to break. Ensure that the manufacturer sells the individual pieces so you won’t have to repurchase the entire device.  

FAQ

Q: What is a poultry fountain?

A: A poultry fountain is a simple water-dispensing system for your chickens. The most common setup is plastic or metal containers rigged to a feeding tray, water bowls or water nipples. The container fills automatically or manually, stores your flock’s water supply, and dishes it into the drinking vessels via gravity and air pressure. You can place a waterer in your backyard or coop in an easily accessible area, either on the ground or elevated, to avoid dirt and debris from getting kicked into the tray or bowls. The structure should resist leaks and toppling. If your flock accidentally overturns their drinker, they will have to go without water until you rectify it. 

Q: How much water do chickens need?

A: Despite their small stature, chickens drink a surprising amount of water. To maintain healthy and fertile bodies, they require at least half a litre of water daily. If the weather is warm, a chicken can drink up to a litre, so for safety’s sake, cater a minimum of one litre of water per bird per day. Chickens that are ill either barely drink or sip constantly.  Their water supply must remain fresh, so replace dirty water and clean drinking vessels. Consider setting up a backup fountain in a different corner of the yard or coop in case the primary one capsizes, gets damaged or leaks when you’re not around.

author-image
By Editor
  • Home
  • About
logo
Copyright Paws, Claws and Tails © 2023
  • Privacy Policy