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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
