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The 15 Best Chicken Waterers for Farms

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Let’s be honest here, if you clicked on this link then you already know what you’re looking for and chances are you’re just looking to see what the best choices you have to offer are for you.

This is why we won’t bother you with any of the random information that usually prevails on the internet, instead we will focus solely on providing you with the hard facts that will help make your job easier as you look out for the best chicken waterer on the market.

So, let’s start off by answering the most important questions, after which we can delve into what we consider to be the 15 absolute best chicken waterers for farms on the market.

What Types of Chicken Waterers Are Out There?

Types of Chicken Waterers
Farm Innovators HB-60P

When it comes to your chicken waterer you should know that there are plenty of different types out there that you can choose from. Today we will be showcasing all of these right here to make your job easier overall. So, here they are:

  • Gravity Fed
  • Hanging
  • Nipples and Cups
  • Automatic

Gravity Fed Waterer

The first of the aforementioned types of chicken waterers is the gravity fed type. This type is also very much so considered to be the standard type that most people go for nowadays. You get a tank, a dish and a trough with it.

They work based on the gravity that pulls the water downwards, making sure that the chickens always have the water ready at the base and that you can fill it up to the top without ever being afraid of it overspilling.

One thing that we should mention about the gravity fed type is that it’s actually very easy to get it dirty so make sure that you clean it very frequently so as to take as much care of your chicken as possible.

This type of a waterer is usually made up of plastic or even metal but regardless, it rests on the ground next to the chicken so they can conveniently pick at it all day long.

Hanging Chicken Waterer

The second of those types of chicken waterers is the hanging type. As the name implies, you essentially will have to hang it up above the typical ground level. This works in your favor as it keeps the waterer cleaner since the chicken will not be able to kick dirt or food around in it at all times.

On top of that this is also a great choice because it can’t be knocked over and let’s not forget about the fact that they’re a lot sturdier than the other types because they’re usually made up of metal or heavy-duty plastic.

Nipples and Cups

The third type we have in store for you right now is the nipples and cups type. This specific type of chicken waterer is made specifically with troughs so that your chicken can have an easier time drinking from it.

The only real problem with this type is most definitely the fact that it is the least sanitary option on the market. As they push their beaks into the nipples and cups, they’ll find themselves contaminating the source of water which means you’ll have to clean it a lot more frequently.

This is also a way harder method to teach your chicken to use since they are not usually going to find themselves pecking at nipples and cups all that often.

Automatic Chicken Waterers

Last but not least we have the automatic type of chicken waterer. This is a very good option as it will refill itself after the water is gone.

This means that you will not need to care all that much for it and let’s not forget the fact that the typical automatic type also comes in all sorts of different shapes and sizes.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Chicken Waterer

Choosing the Best Chicken Waterer
Royal Rooster Twin Cup Drinker & Feeder Set

Most likely, if you’ve just gotten into this topic then you’re wondering right now why you should even consider one over the other when they’re all pretty much offering the same thing, right? Well in actuality, there are plenty of factors that go into what makes a chicken waterer better than the other.

Take for example the following aspects:

Metal vs. Plastic

As far as metal goes, this material is a lot more expensive and it can be prone for rusting over longer periods of time. Luckily however, the extra durability more than makes up for this and let’s not forget about the fact that if the model is made up of galvanized metal, then it will never rust to begin with.

Just remember that there are certain rules that go with metal containers, like for example the fact that you can’t use apple cider vinegar since it doesn’t react well with the metal.

The plastic version on the other hand is a lot cheaper and also a lot easier to manhandle. The downside to this is most definitely the fact that it’s not exactly the most durable material to have a chicken waterer out of, especially if you live in a colder region where the plastic can freeze overnight.

One recommendation we have for you is that you should go for a thick plastic that doesn’t have Bisphenol A or BPA for short because this small difference will make a huge difference.

Flock Size and Tank Capacity

This part should be pretty obvious but it can also be very easy to overlook. When you’re trying to find the perfect chicken waterer for you, you need to take into consideration just how big your flock is and get the tank capacity according to that.

The typical tank capacity ranges anywhere between 1 and 8 gallons in total. Couple that with the fact that the chicken tends to drink around 16 ounces every day and you should know that you will need a 1-gallon chicken waterer per 8 chicken every day.

The larger the flock size, the larger the tank capacity, unless you’re looking to have to change their water multiple times every day.

Ease of Use

This again shouldn’t surprise anyone but essentially, the easier the job is, the better, and that’s a fact. You need to take into consideration just how easy the chicken waterer is to fill up which means you should always opt for a removable top if you can.

Most models are also very easy to assemble, but there are some oddballs out there that require you to flex your engineering degree just so you can properly set it up for your chicken.

If you’ll be going for a larger model, we recommend that you look into whether it has good quality handles as well so that you can move around easily despite the heavy weight.

Last but not least you should check the user reviews to make sure that your chicken will not be getting a bad product to begin with. User reviews will help you discern whether the chicken from past buyers were fine with the product and whether there were any complains to begin with that you should watch out for.

But alas, now that you know all of that we should jump right into what makes for our top 15 best chicken waterers for your farm. So, without further ado, here they are:

15. Producer’s Pride 1-Gallon Poultry Waterer

Producer’s Pride 1-Gallon Poultry Waterer

Honestly a very good choice right here, the reason as to why it’s so good is because of how easy it is to use and the fact that its plastic legs are all fully removable so you can easily keep it off of the ground and away from the dirt at all times.

Don’t forget that it also has a very good handle and that it can easily last in the coldest of temperatures and you’ve got yourself a quality chicken waterer right here.

View price on Tractor Supply

14. Harris Farms Cup-A-Water

Harris Farms Cup-A-Water

If you’re on the market looking for an easy to assemble choice that can have up to four chickens drinking at the same time then look no further than this model right here.

Couple that with the fact that it is fully auto and you have no reason not to trust this one with your flock.

View price on Amazon

13. Farm Innovators HB-60P

Farm Innovators HB-60P

This model right here makes for a great choice thanks to its relatively large capacity (3.5 gallons or 5 quarts to be precise) and the fact that it is so easy to clean.

Let’s also not forget about the fact that it features a fully auto feeder as well to make your job all the easier around the farm.

View price on Amazon

12. Royal Rooster Twin Cup Drinker & Feeder Set – 6.5lbs /1 gal

Royal Rooster Twin Cup Drinker & Feeder Set

What makes this chicken waterer stand out from the crowd is definitely the fact that it’s quite durable thanks to its high-quality plastic.

It can be used for any number of chickens as well considering the fact that it is so large to begin with.

View price on Amazon

11. Backyard Barnyard 4 Pack NO PECK Poultry Cup Waterer Drinker 

Backyard Barnyard 4 Pack NO PECK Poultry Cup Waterer Drinker

This is a fully automatic chicken waterer that will make sure that your chickens are never thirty to begin with. As long as you keep filling it up once per day, you’re pretty much done regardless of how large your flock is.

The only real downside with this product is the fact that it can get dirty very easily and on top of that you can also find it leaking every now and then if you don’t set it up perfectly.

View price on Amazon

10. Oasis Chicken Waterer Kit 

Oasis Chicken Waterer Kit

The best part about this chicken waterer is definitely its clever design choice. This is a bucket-based chicken waterer that spills into four cups of three inches in diameter each.

Since it is a fully automatic waterer this makes it a very good choice for everyone looking to get the most bang for their buck.

View price on Amazon

9. RentACoop 5 Gallon Water Cup Chicken Waterer

RentACoop 5 Gallon Water Cup Chicken Waterer

If your chickens are having a hard time actually drinking from the nipples then there’s no better option out there than the typical cup type right here.

This is a 5-gallon waterer that offers plenty of room for your chicken to be able to drink their water without pushing each other around at all times.

It has a pointed lid that prevents roosting which is always a plus and the cups will always be half full as long as you have enough water in the tank.

View price on Amazon

8. RentACoop Automatic Chicken Water Cup Waterer Kit

RentACoop Automatic Chicken Water Cup Waterer Kit

Yet another one of RentACoop’s top products over here, this chicken waterer was specifically built so that you can always have water ready for your chicken with minimal effort from you.

Being a gravity waterer means that the four cups at the bottom of it will always be half full as long as you have enough water in the tank and the best part about it is that they are large enough for your chicken to also waddle around in it.

View price on Amazon

7. Farm Innovators Model HPF-100 Heated Poultry Fountain

Farm Innovators Model HPF-100 Heated Poultry Fountain

Winter time isn’t easy for anyone, even less so for your chicken. This is why buying a heated chicken waterer is such a great idea. On top of that this is a 3-gallon waterer right here that is able to work even in 0 degrees Fahrenheit if you need it to.

And we haven’t even mentioned the best part! It only uses 100 watts of power. This means that you won’t be tacked down by the electricity bill as soon as you’ll get through the month.

View price on Amazon

6. Little Giant Game Bird Automatic Poultry Fount

Little Giant Game Bird Automatic Poultry Fount

Commonly referred to as one of the best automatic chicken waterers in the world, this right here is a great choice for you if you want to have to do as little as possible to keep your chicken happy and healthy.

It can easily hold 2 pints or 1 quart of water and let’s not forget about the fact that it will never rust because of its solid and trustworthy build.

View price on Amazon

5. Harris Farms Poultry Drinker 6.25 Gallon

Harris Farms Poultry Drinker 6.25 Gallon

As the name implies, this chicken waterer offers you a total capacity of 6.25 gallons and just in case you don’t want to do the math, that means that you will only have to fill it up once a day for up to 100 chickens in total.

Let’s not forget the fact that it is made from BPA-free plastic as well meaning that it is a quality product through and through and thanks to its heavy weight no chicken will be able to topple it anytime soon.

View price on Amazon

4. Little Giant 1 Gallon Complete Plastic Poultry Fount

Little Giant 1 Gallon Complete Plastic Poultry Fount

But hey, sometimes you’re not looking for the absolute largest waterer in the world because you have a much smaller flock and you don’t have the room for a large one.

If that’s so then you should instantly consider going for this product, but hey, if you’re still not convinced you should also take into consideration the fact that it is made up of very sturdy plastic and you can easily see how much water is left inside thanks to its semi-opaque look.

View price on Amazon

3. Harris Farms Plastic Poultry Drinker

Harris Farms Plastic Poultry Drinker

This is a fairly large chicken waterer with a total capacity of 5-quarts which is more than enough for most flocks out there. On top of that this is literally one of the best deals on the market especially considering how much you’re getting from it for just twenty pounds on Amazon.

You are looking at a chicken waterer that comes equipped with a hanger, a very durable material composition and let’s not skip over the fact that it is fully compatible with most heaters on the market.

View price on Amazon

2. RentACoop 2 Gallon Chicken Waterer

RentACoop 2 Gallon Chicken Waterer

This BPA-free plastic chicken waterer is often times considered to be one of the best on the market simply because it doesn’t have any real downsides to it.

It is one of the most sanitary choices on the market thanks to its great design choice and the feeding nipples on it will make it so that you never waste any water around as your chicken will be pulling and pinching at them all day long.

View price on Amazon

1. Harris Farms Double Wall Poultry Drinker

Harris Farms Double Wall Poultry Drinker

This should always be at the top of your list if you’re looking for the best of the best in terms of quality, price and overall design choice.

You’re looking at a heavy-duty galvanized steel waterer that comes equipped with a metal handle which makes it all the easier for you to manhandle it around regardless of whether you choose the large 5-gallon model or the 2 gallon one.

It has a double-wall vacuum design which makes it so that the water never stops running and thanks to its metal built it will never be pushed over since it weighs significantly more than the typical plastic chicken waterer.

View price on Amazon

Conclusion

Best Chicken Waterers
Oasis Chicken Waterer Kit

There you have it, the top 15 best chicken waterers in the world. Sure, this is a very subjective topic since what works for some might not work for others and so on and so forth.

This is why you should always remember the fact that these are merely pointers that should help you find the best choice for you, not actual instructions that will bring you the one and only answer to your questions.

Regardless, thank you for reading this far and we hope that we helped you make the right choice.

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About Leah Shelton

Involved in the “green” arena for over 20 years, Leah has worn many hats due to her diverse experience and knowledge in the field. In addition to writing for Agronomag, she’s also a sustainability consultant with a unique perspective on eco-friendly farming practices. Learn more about Agronomag's Editorial Process.

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