Chickens are more easily dehydrated than any other animal, so finding the best choice of backyard chicken coop waterers for their needs is important. They need fresh and clean water all the time. It may seem like an easy task, but it can be challenging to keep the water supply clean.
| Chicken Coop Waterer | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Harris Farms Plastic Poultry Drinker | 5 Quart |
| Farm Innovators Model HPF-100 | 3 Gallon |
| Little Giant 1-Gallon Waterer | 1 Gallon |
| Harris Farms 1000267 Poultry Drinker | 6.25 Gallon |
| RentACoop 5 Gallon Chicken Waterer | 5 Gallon |
| K&H Pet Products Thermo-Poultry Waterer | 2.5 Gallons |
| RentACoop 2 Gallon Chicken Waterer | 2 Gallons |
| Harris Farms EZ Fill Poultry Drinker | 3.5 Gallons |
It’s normal for chickens to dirty a water dish by walking through it, scratching dirt up into it or even pooping in it. There are many alternatives for supplying fresh water and we’re going to focus on some proven products to make this job a lot easier.
There are many chicken waterer models on the market, each designed to serve different needs. You have size choices from small to large depending on how many hens you have and how often you want to clean and refill them.
In this article, we will review 8 of the best backyard chicken coop waterers and guide you about how to choose the best one for you.
My pick of the 8 Best Backyard Chicken Coop Waterers
1. Harris Farms Plastic Poultry Drinker
If you have a small chicken coop, then the Harris Farms Plastic Poultry Drinker is a great option.
This product is easy to use and is made of durable plastic, which holds up well in many weather conditions. The Harris Farm 5L Plastic Bird provides enough water that is good for 32 chickens.
It has a handle that you can use to hang it and keep it off of the floor. However, you can also place this drinker on the ground so that the small hen can easily drink the water.
As with most waterers like this, placing in the ground or inside the coop will result in dirt and bedding clogging up the drinking area. Not a huge deal, we usually just pick it up and pour out the gunk once or twice per day.
| Pros | Cons |
| Small Size | Can get clogged with bedding or dirt if placed on the floor or ground |
| Strong Handle | Sometimes leaks when placed on floor or ground |
| Durable Material | |
| Comfortable for small chickens |
2. Farm Innovators Model HPF-100
The Farm Innovators HPF-100 model is a seasonal product that is built for the coldest temperature. This will be the best choice if you are looking for a heated chicken waterer and you have AC power available.
It contains a 100 watt heater which will keep the water temperature above freezing for chickens in the winter. Some people report frustration with filling it sine the opening is just barely big enough to fit a hose end or spigot into.
Farm Innovators HPF-100 is a three-gallon model that means it can be hung by handles or placed on the floor for more flexibility. The only disadvantage that people face in this model is that the wires are relatively short, so you will need an extension for long-distance.
| Pros | Cons |
| High Quality Material | Short Wire |
| Comfortable for winter | Small filler opening |
| Unique Design | |
| Flexible |
3. Little Giant 1-Gallon Waterer
If you are looking for the small and cheapest chicken waterer, then Little Giant 1-Gallon Waterer is the best option. You’ll find these online and also in pet and feed stores.
The container is made of transparent polyethylene, which allows you to quickly determine whether you need more water, which is especially important in the hot summer. This material is also very durable and easy to clean. I have used one of these for nearly five years and it’s still in great shape.
Another important feature is the the base screws onto the tank, resulting in much less spillage and a large opening that’s easy to fill.
| Pros | Cons |
| Large opening for filling | Can get clogged with bedding or dirt if placed on the floor or ground |
| Simple Design | |
| Lightweight | |
| Strong Material |
4. Harris Farms 1000267 Poultry Drinker 6.25 Gallon
This Harris Farms waterer holds 6.25 gallons of water. It’s the perfect option if you have a larger flock as it supports up to 100 chickens. With a very durable BPA-free plastic construction, it should give you years of service.
The large, top fill design make refills easy and tidy. The snap-on lids fits tightly and securely.
One unique feature is the built-in float which keep the drinking water level even and prevents overflows. It’s a little more complicated inside, but this video shows how easy it can be.
Another advantage of this waterer is that you can also connect the Harris Farms Heated Drinker Base (purchased separately) for year-round use. It’s very easy to clean and has a handle you can use to rotate or hang it.
| Pros | Cons |
| Large Capacity | Bit Heavy |
| Easy to fill | More internal parts than most |
| Durable | Can be a little more complicated to operate |
| Easy to clean |
5. RentACoop 5 Gallon Chicken Waterer
If you are looking for larger capacity, then you must check this RentACoop 5 Gallon Chicken Waterer. Made with 100% food-grade plastics, it is also BPA-free. It comes with a 5 Gallon reservoir, which is enough to support 10 chickens for a week or more.
The removable cover is very easy to fill. This waterer is quite different from other models, as it has a “no roost” cap which prevent your chickens from perching on it and pooping down the sides.
You refill it from the top through the garden hose size opening or by removing the lid completely. Lots of versatility in this design.
The RentACoop 5 Gallon Chicken Waterer is strong and durable and can withstand the harsh weather in the backyard.
The horizontal nipple between the parts of the container allows you to feed your chickens when the container is at the height.
Best of all, RentACoop’s customer service is one of the best. In the unlikely event you have trouble with this waterer, you should have no trouble getting assistance from them. They go out of their way to make sure their customers are treated right.
| Pros | Cons |
| No Roost Lid! | Not for small spaces |
| Good capacity | Handle should be a little stronger |
| New Design | Some reports of leakage |
| Outstanding customer service |
6. K&H Pet Products Thermo-Poultry Waterer
If you’re searching for a no-roost top, non-spill fill ups and a built-in heater that can survive winter conditions, this is an excellent option. K&H Pet Products Thermo-Poultry Waterer is packed with features that are unique.
K&H Pet Thermal Poultry Waterer is fitted with a four foot long power cord to supply the 60 watt heating system. It prevents freezing and melts any ice accumulations inside the waterer.
K&H Pet Products is designed for the winter season, and its water dispensers keep the water clean and fresh. Its filters speed up the process of clearing debris in the drinking tray and the K&H brand also provides a 2 year guarantee. The only drawback that users seem is that this device cannot come with any slot or place to hold the power wire.
| Pros | Cons |
| Best for Winter | Not slot for cable |
| Thermo-controlled | Base component may crack easily |
| Easy to use | |
| Electrical device |
7. RentACoop 2 Gallon Chicken Waterer
If you are looking for that chicken Waterer which easily fits in a small place, then this RentACoop 2 Gallon Chicken Waterer product is a great choice. The biggest advantage of choosing this model is that the water stays clean for a long time after filling the pot.
This smaller version of the RentACoop 5 gallon waterer features horizontal nipples which prevent moisture in the soil/bedding and provide a rustless cap to keep the lid clean and bacteria-free.
That unique no-roost cap is also included. This lighter weight version may give you more options for mounting it since you’ll have less weight to deal with.
| Pros | Cons |
| Small Size | Only for few chickens |
| BPA free Material | Water nipples can be troublesome |
| Outstanding customer service | |
| Rustless Cap |
8. Harris Farms EZ Fill Poultry Drinker, 3.5 Gallon
The Harris Farms brand is well-known for making one of the best chicken waterers on the market. This 3.5 gallon model is the junior version of the larger on reviewed above.
This is a good waterer for a moderate size group of chickens of 50 or less. It has all the great features of its big brother and the convenience of a smaller unit to handle.
The waterer is made of BPA-free plastic to ensure that your poultry and environment are safe and it’s quite durable.
This chicken drinker has a large open space on the top, and the removable lid is easy to clean and fill. It is also great for outdoor and indoor use.
| Pros | Cons |
| Good Capacity | Leaking can be a problem |
| BPA free | Can be a little more complicated to operate |
| Durable | More internal parts than other brands |
| Lightweight |
Types of Chicken Waterer
It is very difficult to choose the best chicken waterer because so much depends on the size of your flock, how severe your winters are and how much love or hate cleaning and refilling them.
These are the 3 most common types of chicken waterers:
Standard Gravity-Fed Waterers
Gravity-Fed Waterers are simple to use and best for most situations. They typically consist of a water container with a tray at the bottom for your chickens to drink from. The benefit of this Waterer is that the water stays clean, but the chickens often throw the debris in the water’s open areas.
Nipple Waterers
The nipple waterer’s advantage is that it’s on-demand. You can provide a larger supply of water to last longer since it won’t be getting dirt or bedding kicked into it.
Chickens figure out how to use them pretty quickly since it releases water when they peck at it. One downside is that since their internal openings are not large, they can get clogged with small debris is your water supply.
Nipple waterers can be used on commercially produced waterers like we’ve reviewed in this article or as part of a custom-built plastic pipe system.
Automatic Waterers
Automatic Waterers not only save space but also keep the water clean and fresh. They also can reduce water leakage in several cases as a result of spills and leaks. Many Automated drinkers come with nipples that are very useful for chickens and which means chickens can drink themselves whenever they want.
Due to cost and complexity of these systems, they’re not as common to find in backyard chicken coop enviroments.
Heated Waterers
Heated waterers can be found in various styles, all designed to prevent your water from freezing int he winter. Most chicken breeds can handle cold winters, but they still need lots of water.
Devices like the Farms Heated Drinker Base allow you to transform almost any type of water into a heated one. Always use a safe product like this since electricity, outdoors and water can be a dangerous combination.
Buying Guide: How to buy best backyard chicken coop waterers
There are many factors that you must consider before choosing the best Chicken Waterers. Before buying the chicken waterers, many think that a big tank will work for a long time, but keeping water fresh is important.
In the hot afternoon, the birds panic due to the water thirst. They move and search in shady areas instead of in the blazing sunlight. Therefore, it is important to keep one or more waterers available so that the chickens can access water.
Keeping one inside the coop is also important so they have access to it when they go in for the night and first thing in the morning.
Here are some other factors that you should consider before choosing your backyard Chicken Coop Waterers.
Dimensions
One of the key considerations that should be considered before picking a product is the size of the chicken waterer. A large waterer may not be good for the small backyard coop. It might take up too much space and require fresh water just as often as a smaller one.
Read the manufacturer’s specifications and compare them to the available space in the coupe. While the bigger drinker may require less frequent refilling, the size of the herd should be the primary factor in selecting the size.
Design and materials
In most cases, plastic and galvanized steel are the best materials for chicken waterers; both are appropriate and recommended. But if you’re going to keep your waterer in direct sunlight, galvanized steel may not be a good choice since it can get hot to the touch and warm the water.
A highly recommended traditional solution is the open bowl style. That is, if you don’t mind changing the water out several times per day. We use one open bowl in additional to a gravity fed waterer. The open bowl is a lot more work…
Size of Your Poultry
Your best backyard chicken coop waterer will be able to serve a lot of chickens since they don’t all get thirsty at the same time. This is where you want to estimate how often you want to change the water.
If your chickens are full grown, I suggest you buy a waterer that gives several of them enough space to drink at the same time. Also, if you have small birds, consider the smaller, gravity-fed waterers since most of them can be placed on the ground or on the coop floor.
Safety
When choosing a chicken waterer, the safety of the chicken should be considered. For baby chicks, a deep water bowl would be inappropriate and dangerous. Falling in while trying to drink, could end badly.
When buying the hanging waterer, always check that the hook or chain is strong enough to support its weight. Read the product reviews to see if others have had problems.
Frequently Ask Questions
What is the most suitable size of chicken waterer?
The adult chicken drinks about one cup per day, 5-6 chicks drinks about a cup as well. In the summer, it is important that everyone has access to water. If you have 5-6 chicken, you need 1-2 gallons. If you have dozens of chicks or many chickens over 16 weeks old, a 5-gallon bucket is ideal.
Why do we need a chicken waterer?
In short, the chicken needs constant access to water. Without it, they will become dehydrated, get sick and eventually die. Water drinkers also show you how much they’re drinking. Looks for changes in water consumption. They may be an indication of illness. This is especially important in hot weather.
How to clean and wash chicken waterer?
It is important to clean the chicken waterer because different hazards such as bacteria, dirt or algae can contaminate the water in the container. In some cases (for example, stainless steel or nipples), you may experience rust in the water.
You can clean the container with utensils, warm water, and neutral soap every month. If you don’t want to use soap, you can use white vinegar instead. (In order to remove bacteria, we use it when cleaning the chicken house). You can use this following method to clean the backyard chicken coop waterer.
- Dip the drinker in warm water.
- Use a hard brush to remove dirt and bacteria gently.
- You can also use neutral soap (rinse thoroughly before refilling.)
- If you don’t want to use soap, use warm water and white vinegar.
- Make sure to check nipples for proper function after cleaning.
Conclusion
Our best-recommended product is the Little Giant 1-Gallon Waterer because it is one of the cheapest and smallest models. It’s one gallon capacity is enough for most backyard chicken coops.