Chicken waterer

[RoyalChick]

I stand my nipple bucket on a heated stand in the winter. Make sure to get one that is rated for plastic buckets so it doesn’t melt the bucket.
Mine is very low wattage and sometimes ice does form at the top but it keeps plenty of unfrozen water in the bottom half of the bucket for them to drink.
I am in NJ in zone 6a, I am not sure how well it would do in a much colder climate.

 

[TooCheep]

I am in NJ in zone 6a, I am not sure how well it would do in a much colder climate.

The OP is in Texas, so this might be a good solution for the couple of weeks they have real freezes. Fortunately, we are discussing horizontal nipples which do much better at avoiding clogging in winter as long as the water is kept liquid.

 

[RoyalChick]

The OP is in Texas, so this might be a good solution for the couple of weeks they have real freezes.

Oh yes. It will cope with Texas for sure.
This is the one I got (link to the product on Amazon). It specifies that it is OK for metal and plastic buckets. It is only 30W.
Mine has coped with 3 winters so far.
https://a.co/d/4692uwG

 

[Squawkers]

There are plusses and minuses to each. I like the first (Doublewood) because it has a slight depression/cup on the lower lip to catch water for the chickens.

I like the wingnut for the LilClucker to help hold it in place, but it appears to have a flat lower lip which won't hold water well. Also, I don't trust the square install tool. Plastic threads are easy to strip so I'd prefer to hand-tighten the nipples.

You might consider this set which appears to have a better combination with a lower lip cup, rear wingnuts and a good rating

Thanks for pointing out the differences!! I’ll get the ones you suggested.

One additional item to keep in mind. Using nipples makes it a little harder for your chickens to get water. This isn't a problem most of the time, but when it gets hot, I'll offer a secondary waterer (a bowl) that they can dip their wattles into for cooling and drink deeply. The nipple system requires less maintenance, but the bowl is helpful in summer

Yes, I’ve heard of that before and I’ll definitely give them another water source in summer. It gets especially hot her in Texas. Thank you so much!!

 

[Squawkers]

There is a heated nipple waterer available. I've used this one for the past 2 years. It will stay unfrozen in below zero temps.
I put it away after winter and get out the non heated ones.

View attachment 3964890

Oh yes. It will cope with Texas for sure.
This is the one I got (link to the product on Amazon). It specifies that it is OK for metal and plastic buckets. It is only 30W.
Mine has coped with 3 winters so far.
https://a.co/d/4692uwG

Thanks! I was planning on just having an open trough for winter, but I’ll looking into the heaters.

 

[AntiqueB]

I use these nipples. They have lasted over a year now, don't leak, don't clog, and catch water in the cup for those chickens who prefer it. They can make the cups fill themselves.
RentACoop DIY Waterer Kit - Horizontal Nipples with Dribble Dish and Installation Tool - Great for Chickens, Turkeys, Peafowl, and Other Poultry - 6 Pack https://a.co/d/fKYfRM1

 

[Squawkers]

Thanks everyone for your help!! I decided on a 2.5 gallon bucket instead. I realized that I really don’t go out of town often, so I’d rather just get a bigger waterer the next time I have to, instead of lugging a 5-gallon bucket around all the time. The chickens caught on really quick!