Last Updated on January 22, 2024 by Fumipets
7 Best Heated Chicken Waterers: Ensuring Hydration in Chilly Climates
Keeping backyard chickens is a rewarding endeavor, providing fresh eggs, companionship, and a connection to sustainable living. However, as winter approaches, chicken keepers face the challenge of ensuring that their feathered friends have access to unfrozen water in colder temperatures.
Here, the spotlight falls on a crucial solution – heated chicken waterers. These innovative devices are designed to prevent water from freezing, ensuring that chickens have constant access to clean and liquid water, even during the frostiest winter days. Let’s delve into the world of heated chicken waterers and explore key questions about their usage.
Heated Chicken Waterers
It’s crucial to always have fresh, clean water available to your hens in order to ensure their continued health. Keeping your chickens hydrated is an essential aspect of keeping them healthy. It might be difficult to keep hens hydrated in contrast to other pets. A fully developed hen can drink around a pint of water each day, and in warmer conditions, she will drink much more. Because they develop more rapidly than laying hens, any chicks you are keeping for meat will need much more water. As you can see, you need to be able to provide your hens with a lot of water if you have many of them.
What Is a Chicken Waterer?
You may want to think about obtaining a chicken waterer so you don’t have to carry water to your chicken coop many times a day. A chicken waterer’s advantage is that you may often fill the reserve with a sizable quantity, minimizing the number of journeys. Waterers are often made to discharge a tiny quantity of water at a time. This prevents evaporation and keeps the water clean.
Why Are Some Chicken Waterers Heated?
Consider getting a heated chicken waterer for your animals if you live in a chilly region. Your hens’ drinking water will certainly freeze in freezing weather, making it hard for them to stay hydrated. We shall discuss some of the top heated waterers in this article. To assist you in deciding which choice is best for you and your hens, we have provided buyer’s guides and pros and disadvantages for each product.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites
| Product | Details | |||
| Farm Innovators Heated HB-60P Poultry Drinker | · Refilling is simple · Last several seasons · Thermostatically controlled | Check Price | ||
| Farm Innovators “All Seasons” Poultry Fountain | · Translucent body · Ideal for all-season use · Great for a large flock of chickens | Check Price | ||
| Harris Farms Heated Poultry Base | · Setup is very easy · Thermostatically controlled · Perfect for transitioning waterer for winter | Check Price | ||
| Farm Innovators Heated Pet Bowl | · Affordable · Thermostatically controlled · “Anti-chew” protective material | Check Price | ||
| Bird Bath De-Icer | · Comes with a clamp · Galvanized protector cord · Works well with many pre-existing chicken waterers | Check Price |
The 7 Best Heated Chicken Waterers
1. Farm Innovators Heated HB-60P Poultry Drinker
| Water Capacity: | 2 gallons |
| Weight and Dimensions: | 3. 15 pounds, 12” x 12” x 11” |
| Heater: | 60 watts, thermostatically controlled |
| Material: | Plastic, translucent body (BPA free), metal handle for hanging |
| Electrical Cord Length: | 5 feet |
Your hens may open the nipple-style valves on the Farm Innovators HB-60P Poultry Drinker anytime they need a sip of water. One of the better designs for chicken waterers for avoiding messes and water waste is this one. This waterer can hold up to 15 hens, which makes it not the biggest on the list but still a respectable capacity. One of this waterer’s finest qualities is also one of its weaknesses: the top-entry design makes it easy to fill, but it also makes for a convenient chicken perch, which increases the risk of the waterer being pushed over.
Pros
- Plastic body is translucent, easy to see how much water is left
- Very durable and should last several seasons
- Nipple design makes it easy to get water with minimal waste
- Waterer is thermostatically controlled
- Refilling is simple
Cons
- Wide lid of this waterer is easy for chickens to perch on
- Cord is not wrapped in coil to protect chickens from pecking at it
2. Farm Innovators “All Seasons” Poultry Fountain
| Water Capacity: | 3 gallons |
| Weight and Dimensions: | 2. 25 pounds, 12” x 16” x 12” |
| Heater: | 100 watts, thermostatically controlled |
| Material: | Plastic body |
| Electrical Cord Length: | 2 feet |
Another excellent choice is this “All Seasons” waterer from Farm Innovators. Compared to the first Farm Innovators product on this list, the design is different. This waterer has a bottom trough that utilizes a little water at a time in place of the nipple valves. Despite the fact that this device works well in every season, you should bear in mind that the cable cannot be removed in the summer when the heating function is not needed. If you have a large flock of hens, you should give this alternative significant consideration since it is one of the biggest waterers on our list.
Pros
- Great for a large flock of chickens
- Thermostatically controlled
- Ideal for all-season use
- Body is translucent, making it easy to tell when it’s time to refill
- Economically priced
Cons
- Power cord is very short
- Filled from the bottom, can be difficult to refill
- Reservoir doesn’t always properly lock into place
3. Harris Farms Heated Poultry Base
| Water Capacity: | N/A |
| Weight and Dimensions: | 3 pounds, 16. 34” x 16. 34” x 3. 5” |
| Heater: | 125 watts, thermostatically controlled |
| Material: | Galvanized steel |
| Electrical Cord Length: | 6 feet |
This is a handy heated add-on, not a waterer, that might make the ideal chicken waterer for winter. This heated base can be a fantastic choice for you if you have a metal chicken waterer made of galvanized steel that you use all year round. It is quite easy to set up; all you need to do is set it up beneath your current waterer and connect it in. They work in most winter regions since they can prevent water from freezing down to 10° F, but if you live in one where temperatures often fall below 10° F, you may want to consider alternative solutions.
Pros
- Setup is very easy
- Perfect for those who want to transition their waterer for winter
- Base is thermostatically controlled
Cons
- Could melt plastic and even become a fire hazard
- As a standalone base, these can get very hot – use caution when handling
- May not fit every waterer
4. Farm Innovators Heated Pet Bowl
| Water Capacity: | 1. 5 gallons |
| Weight and Dimensions: | 14. 4 oz, 12” x 12” x 4. 75” |
| Heater: | 60 watts, thermostatically controlled |
| Material: | Plastic |
| Electrical Cord Length: | 5 feet |
The heated bowl from Farm Innovators offers an alternative to the more traditional chicken waterer style. If you just have a few hens, it is quite sensible, affordable, and practical. Our bowl has a smaller capacity than the other items on this list, but you should bear in mind that you will probably be changing the water more regularly nevertheless because of the exposed bowl’s increased susceptibility to contamination. This device uses less energy than other available alternatives because of its lower wattage, however bear in mind that this also implies that it has a more constrained capacity. Even yet, the bowl’s heat will keep it from freezing to a level of 10 degrees Fahrenheit, which is suitable for many climes.
Pros
- Affordable
- Cord features an “anti-chew” protective material
- Thermostatically controlled
Cons
- Capacity of the bowl is only 1. 5 gallons
- The design means water will get dirty, spill out, or evaporate more quickly
5. Bird Bath De-Icer
| Water Capacity: | Can keep up to 15 gallons of water from freezing |
| Weight and Dimensions: | 1. 58 pounds, 7. 5” x 2. 75” x 0. 88” |
| Heater: | 200 watts, thermostatically controlled |
| Material: | Stainless steel |
| Electrical Cord Length: | 6 feet |
If you already have a chicken waterer that you wish to prevent from freezing in the winter, a de-icer is a fantastic alternative. This DIY alternative has the advantage of working well with a variety of waterers, including the more conventional troughs and buckets. Do not be afraid about placing a warmer like this right in the water that your hens drink. To avoid pecking and electrical issues, the cable and heater source are both totally encased. Our device is a fantastic choice if you have a very big flock and need to heat a sizable trough since it has a significantly higher heating capacity than other things on this list at 15 gallons.
Pros
- The cord has a galvanized protector
- Comes with a clamp to attach to your chickens’ water container
- Works well with many pre-existing chicken waterers
- Includes a thermostat that automatically turns off heat
Cons
- If you don’t already have a chicken waterer, the combination can be a bit pricey
- Some reviewers had problems with rusting
6. Allied Precision Industries Heated Chicken Waterer
| Water Capacity: | 3 gallons |
| Weight and Dimensions: | 2. 7 pounds, 14” x 14” x 17” |
| Heater: | 200 watts, thermostatically controlled |
| Material: | Plastic (BPA-free) |
| Electrical Cord Length: | 6 feet |
The dual heating technology of this waterer, which stops the water from freezing but also from being too hot for your hens to drink, makes it a highly effective device. It includes a built-in water dispenser that slowly pours water into the little tray that wraps around the base. The Allied Precision Industries heated waterer has a handle for hanging, like several other waterers on our list, however because of its construction, there is a chance that water might flow out. Fill it up, flip it over, and plug it in—all that’s there is to using this product—and you’re done.
Pros
- 6-foot long cord
- 3-gallon water capacity
- High wattage keeps water fresh at low temps
- Thermostatically controlled
Cons
- Need to flip it upside down to refill
7. K&H Pet Products Thermo-Poultry Waterer
| Water Capacity: | 2. 5 gallons |
| Weight and Dimensions: | 1 pound, 16” x 15” x 15” |
| Heater: | 60 watts, thermostatically controlled |
| Material: | Plastic (BPA free) |
| Electrical Cord Length: | 4 feet |
Your hens are well-considered in the design of the K&H Thermo-Poultry Waterer. With the filter tray that comes with this waterer, you can easily remove extra water without worrying about depleting the waterer. With a 60-watt, thermostatically regulated device, you shouldn’t need to refill the water supply very regularly because of its 2. 5 gallon capacity. Your hens may get the water by sipping from the reservoir at the bottom of the waterer, similar to other goods on our list, however unlike our other recommendations, this waterer cannot be hung. The 2-year warranty is one benefit of this waterer, which will rest your mind.
Pros
- Spill-proof cap
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Quite expensive
- Short electrical cord
Buyer’s Guide
Chicken waterers come in several varieties and are constructed from a range of materials. There are many different varieties of waterers, but some of the more common ones include bell-shaped, nipple, bucket, and trough waterers. Your demands and the number of your flock will determine the exact type you choose. There are a few more factors you should take into account before buying a heated waterer if you’re intending to do so. The most important factors that you should consider when buying a waterer for your hens are all broken down in this tutorial.
Waterer Type
Automatic Waterers
The greatest choice for water conservation and water quality tends to be automatic waterers. This kind of waterer often has a cup or nipple design that enables your chicken to drink anytime they want without having to deal with standing water. This option’s primary drawback is that it may need a little more setup and is less user-friendly than other alternatives. If you don’t have a spout close to your chicken coop, be sure to consider that before buying as some automated waterers need a hose to be linked to the waterer.
Gravity Waterers
The basic design of gravity waterers relies on gravity to discharge water gradually. They may be filled from the top or the bottom. Similar to automated waterers, this kind of waterer saves water by minimizing spillage chances. However, with this kind of product, there is still a little quantity of standing water that may easily become unclean as silt and other unwelcome remnants wash off into the tiny trough.
Container Waterers
The simplest solution is a container waterer. Any open container that can carry a significant quantity of water for your hens to drink, such as a trough or bucket, falls under this category. The simplest and least expensive alternative may be a bucket, but using a bucket as a waterer has its own set of difficulties. For starters, water in an open container is likely to become soiled more rapidly, requiring more frequent replacement. Finding a container that is the right height may also be challenging; although you obviously want it to be low enough to the ground so that your hens can drink from it, if it’s too low, they’ll be strolling and bathing in it instead.
Capacity
Your flock’s size will determine how much space you require. Keep in mind that an adult chicken typically consumes one pint of water each day. You will need to replenish your waterer about once each day if it contains two gallons of water and you have 15 hens. It must be refilled twice day if you have 30 birds.
You should make plans taking into account the kind of waterer in addition to the real water capacity in gallons. For instance, if the waterer you choose has nipple-style valves, you should ensure there is at least one nipple for every four to five chicks.
Thermostat Control
Any heated waterer should include a thermostat that switches off the heating element when it is not required. This will not only reduce your energy use but also stop the water from being too hot for your hens to drink. Fortunately, most heated waterers, including all of the ones on our list, come with this function.
Heater Wattage
Keep in mind that even a waterer with a thermostat will often be on and using power if you live in a chilly environment. Although it may not seem like much, even a tiny device like a chicken waterer can build up over time in terms of utilization. Lower wattage equates to less energy costs. Another benefit is that waterers with lower wattages use less energy.
Conclusion
If you want to buy a heated chicken waterer, you have a lot of fantastic alternatives available. Our best pick was the Farm Innovators Heated HB-60P Poultry Drinker due to its durable construction, water-saving nipple design, and simple top-entry body.
Because of its straightforward setup instructions and compatibility with a wide range of waterers, we believe the Harris Farm Poultry Base is the ideal choice if you already possess a waterer and just want a heating element.
Make sure to conduct your homework before making a purchase to ensure that the item will work for your environment, lifestyle, amount of hens, and coop. You may not have considered it, but you might want to get a waterer with a longer electrical connection depending on where the nearest outlet is.
Every one of these goods is highly rated for a reason, which is that they perform the job. You’ve already taken the first step toward ensuring that your hens have access to fresh water throughout the winter by reading this article.
Q&A on Heated Chicken Waterers
Why are Heated Chicken Waterers Necessary in Winter?
During winter, temperatures can plummet, causing water sources to freeze. Chickens, like all living beings, require consistent hydration for their health and egg production. Heated chicken waterers prevent water from turning into ice, ensuring a constant supply of liquid water for the flock.
How Do Heated Chicken Waterers Work?
Heated chicken waterers typically feature a built-in heating element or use an external heating base. These elements are designed to keep the water temperature above freezing, preventing ice formation. Some models activate when temperatures drop, ensuring energy efficiency.
Are Heated Chicken Waterers Safe to Use?
Yes, heated chicken waterers are designed with safety in mind. They are equipped with features such as thermostat controls to regulate temperature and prevent overheating. Additionally, they are constructed with materials that are safe for chickens to drink from without any adverse health effects.
What Types of Heated Chicken Waterers are Available?
Heated chicken waterers come in various types, including heated base units that can be paired with existing water containers, integrated heated waterers with attached heating elements, and heated bowls. The choice depends on the specific needs and preferences of the chicken keeper.
Can Heated Chicken Waterers Be Used Throughout the Year?
While heated chicken waterers are essential in winter, some models are versatile enough to be used year-round. Certain designs allow users to turn off the heating element during warmer months, providing flexibility and extended usability.
