The 9 Best Heated Chicken Waterers
- May 27, 2023
- By Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Maintaining your hens' hydration is essential to ensuring their health; it is crucial that you provide them with access to fresh, clean water at all times. Unlike other pets, keeping chickens hydrated may be difficult.
A mature hen may use around a pint of water every day, and she will consume even more when the weather is hot. Because they develop more quickly than laying hens, meat-producing chickens will require more water. Clearly, if you have numerous hens, you must be able to give them a substantial amount of water.
BestForPets (bestforpets.org) has compiled this list of in-depth evaluations to assist you in finding the best heated chicken waterers.
Reviews
Farm Innovators Heated HB-60P Poultry Drinker
The Farm Innovators HB-60P Poultry Drinker is equipped with nipple-style valves that your hens may press anytime they need water. This is one of the greatest ideas for a chicken waterer to reduce messes and water waste.
This waterer is not the largest on this list, but it can still fit up to 15 chickens. The top-entry design of this waterer makes refilling it easy, but it also provides a convenient perch for chickens, which might cause it to be pushed over.
Pros
- A translucent plastic body makes it simple to determine how much water remains.
- Very robust and should endure several years
- Nipple design facilitates water access with little waste.
- Thermostatically controlled sprinkler
- Resupply is straightforward
Cons
- This waterer’s broad cover makes it simple for hens to perch.
- The cord is not coiled to prevent hens from nibbling at it.
“All Seasons” Farm Innovators Poultry Fountain
This “All Seasons” waterer from Farm Innovators is an additional excellent alternative. The design differs from the first item on this list by Farm Innovators. This waterer has a trough at the bottom that utilizes a tiny amount of water at a time instead of nipple valves.
Despite the fact that this product is suitable for all seasons, you cannot remove the cable in the summer when you do not want the heating feature. This is one of the largest waterers on this list, so if you have a large chicken flock, you should examine this choice carefully.
Pros
- Excellent for a big chicken herd.
- Thermostatically-regulated
- Ideal for usage in all seasons
- A translucent body makes it easy to determine whether refilling is required.
- Competitively priced
Cons
- The power cord is really short
- Refilling a bottle that is filled from the bottom might be challenging.
- The reservoir does not usually lock into place properly.
Harris Farms Heated Poultry Base
This is not a waterer per, but it is a valuable heated accessory that may make for the greatest chicken waterer for winter. If you use a galvanized metal chicken waterer year-round, this heated base might be an excellent choice. Placing it beneath your current waterer and plugging it in is all that’s required for installation.
They can prevent water from freezing at temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit, so they are acceptable for most winter regions. However, if you live in a place where temperatures often drop below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, you may want to consider alternative solutions.
Pros
- Setup is a breeze
- Ideal for individuals who wish to winterize their watering can
- Thermostatically regulated base
Cons
- Could melt plastic and pose a fire risk.
- As a solitary foundation, they can become quite hot; handle them with care.
- May not fit every watering hole
Farm Innovators Heated Pet Bowl
The heated bowl from Farm Innovators is an alternative to the conventional poultry waterer design. It is practical and affordable, and it makes a great deal of sense if you have a small number of hens.
The volume of this bowl is lesser than that of other items on our list, but you should keep in mind that you will likely be changing the water more regularly anyhow; the exposed bowl means that the hens’ water will become soiled faster.
This device is more energy-efficient than other alternatives on the market due to its lower wattage, but take in mind that it will also have a smaller capacity. Nonetheless, this heated bowl will avoid freezing down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, which is adequate for many areas.
Pros
- Affordable
- The cord is protected with an “anti-chew” substance.
- Thermostatically-regulated
Cons
- The bowl’s capacity is only 1.5 gallons.
- The design causes water to become contaminated, spill out, or evaporate more rapidly.
Bird Bath Anti-Icing
If you already have a chicken waterer that you wish to prevent from freezing over the winter, a de-icer is another excellent alternative. The beauty of this do-it-yourself alternative is that it is compatible with a variety of waterers, including standard troughs and buckets.
Do not be concerned about plunging this warmer directly into the water for your hens. To prevent both pecking and electrical issues, both the heating source and the cable are totally encased.
Our product has a far bigger heating capacity than the majority of things on this list, at 15 gallons, making it an excellent choice if you have a very large flock and need to heat a trough of substantial size.
Pros
- The cable has a galvanized shield.
- Includes a clip for attaching to the water container for your hens.
- Compatible with several current chicken waterers
- Contains a thermostat that shuts off heat automatically
Cons
- If you don’t already own a chicken waterer, the combo may be rather expensive.
- Some reviewers had corrosion issues.
Allied Precision Industries Heated Chicken Waterer
This waterer is highly efficient equipment with a dual heating system that prevents water from freezing and from getting too hot for hens to drink. It contains a self-contained water dispenser that dispenses water in small amounts into the tray that rounds the base.
As with other heated waterers on our list, the Allied Precision Industries heated waterer has a handle for hanging, however owing to its construction, there is a risk of water leakage. This device is quite simple to use; all you need to do is fill it with water, flip it over, and plug it in.
Pros
- 6-foot length of cable
- 3-gallon water storage
- High wattage keeps water cool and fresh.
- Thermostatically-regulated
Cons
- Must be turned upside down to refill.
K&H Pet Products Thermo-Poultry Waterer
The K&H Thermo-Poultry Waterer is thoughtfully constructed with your poultry in mind. This waterer is equipped with a filter tray that makes it easy to rinse away excess water without emptying the waterer.
This 60-watt, thermostatically regulated device is quite energy-efficient, and with a capacity of 2.5 gallons, you should not need to refill the water supply too often.
Like other items on our list, your hens may drink from the reservoir at the bottom of this waterer; but, unlike our other recommendations, this waterer cannot be hung. A 2-year guarantee is one of the benefits of this waterer, which will set your mind at ease.
Pros
- Leak-proof cap
- 2-year guarantee
Cons
- Quite costly
- A short electrical cable
Buyer's Guide
There are several varieties of chicken waterers created from a wide range of materials. The most common forms of waterers include buckets, troughs, bell-shaped waterers, and nipple waterers.
The exact type you pick will depend on the size of your flock and your specific requirements. Prior to making a purchase of a heated waterer, you need to examine a number of other factors. This tutorial will outline the most important parameters to consider when selecting a waterer for your hens.
Waterer Type
Automatic Sprinklers
Automatic watering systems are often the best way to conserve water and keep it clean. This form of waterer often features a nipple or cup shape that enables your chickens to drink anytime they choose without the issue of standing water.
The primary disadvantage of this solution is that it requires somewhat more configuration and is less user-friendly than other alternatives. Some automated waterers require a hose to be attached to the waterer; therefore, if you do not have a spout near your coop, you should consider this before purchasing.
Gravity Watering Systems
Gravity waterers may be filled from the top or bottom, and their concept is straightforward: they steadily release water using gravity. Similar to automated waterers, this type of waterer conserves water by minimizing leakage.
With this sort of device, however, there is still a little quantity of standing water that can soon get contaminated when silt and other undesired residues wash into the tiny trough.
Container hydrants
Container waterers are the most straightforward alternative available. These include any open container, such as a trough or a bucket, that carries a substantial amount of water for your hens to drink. A container such as a bucket may be the simplest and least expensive solution, but this sort of waterer has its own unique issues.
The water in an open container is more prone to become contaminated fast, necessitating more frequent replacements. It can also be tricky to locate a container of the proper height; you want it to be low enough to the ground so that your hens can drink from it, but if it’s too low, they’ll stroll and bathe in it instead.
Capacity
The required capacity depends on the size of your flock. Remember that an adult chicken consumes an average of one pint of water every day. If your waterer contains two gallons of water and you have fifteen hens, you will need to replenish it daily. If you have 30 hens, you will have to replenish the feeder twice every day.
In addition to the actual water capacity in gallons, it may be prudent to examine the waterer’s design and prepare appropriately. If the waterer you choose has nipple-style valves, for instance, there should be at least one nipple for around every five hens.
Thermostat Regulator
It is essential that any heated waterers have a thermostat that switches off the heating function when it is no longer required. In addition to conserving energy, this will prevent the birds’ water from being too hot to drink. Fortunately, the majority of hot water containers, including all of the models on our list, provide this capability.
Heater Wattage
Keep in mind, if you live in a cold region, that even a waterer with a thermostat will be on and consuming power for the majority of the time.
Although it may not seem like much, even a little equipment like a chicken waterer may add up in the long run. The lower the wattage, the cheaper the electricity bill. Low-wattage watering devices are also more energy-efficient!
Conclusion
If you choose to acquire a heated chicken waterer, there are a number of excellent alternatives available. The Farm Innovators Heated HB-60P Poultry Drinker was our top pick because of its water-saving nipple design, top-entry body, and general durability. If you already have a waterer and only want a heating element, we recommend the Harris Farm Poultry Base owing to its simple design and compatibility with a wide variety of waterers.
Before you make a purchase, be careful to conduct sufficient research to ensure that the product you select is appropriate for your environment, lifestyle, a number of hens, and coop. Depending on the location of the nearest electrical outlet, you may want to consider acquiring a watering device with a longer electrical cable.
Each of these goods is highly rated for a reason: they accomplish their intended purpose. You have already taken the first step in ensuring that your hens have access to fresh, non-frozen water throughout the winter by reading this article.
In the end, BestForPets (bestforpets.org) appreciate that you picked our website among dozens of others to read reviews of the best heated chicken waterers. Hopefully, this article has assisted you in selecting the most suitable product.
Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.
Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher
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