I hate my new waterer

[Lulu-vt]

I’m so excited to get finally electricity to my coop. It was quite a process (lots of trench digging!). I went out to purchase a heated waterer because we went out of town for 2 days. Oh my gosh. It’s the worst!
You take off the top, fill the container then put on the bottom and quickly flip it over, hoping it’s attached correctly. But often it’s not and it opens up and spills 3 gallons on your feet. Also, if it’s not perfectly flat, it continues to pour out. I’m going to work on hanging it today but I’ll have to buy some chain for that.
There is also a plug in the bottom but then you’d have to unplug and carry the whole thing and then still tip it right side up.

Before, I have 5 gallon buckets that I used nipples for. I love it but the nipples freeze after the chickens get their water. I’m not sure how to keep it melted even with electricity.

Please help me find the perfect solution for our northern vermont climate. Lows can be -20 but are typically 0-20° F
I do travel for work and I’m happy to change out water often but sometimes that just isn’t an option.

 

[RobertaD1]

Yeah, I hate those waterers too! I went to the galvanized, double walled waterer, and got the heated base they set on for the winter.

 

[Lulu-vt]

Yeah, I hate those waterers too! I went to the galvanized, double walled waterer, and got the heated base they set on for the winter.

Ok. Yes, I used to have one. I must have thrown the base away.
But don’t you still fill the top and then flip the whole thing over? And it’s not very big, right?

 

[aart]

Before, I have 5 gallon buckets that I used nipples for.

Horizontal nipples?
They are the best, get a heated waterer with HN's...and you'll be much happier.

 

[Lulu-vt]

Horizontal nipples?
They are the best, get a heated waterer with HN's...and you'll be much happier.

I think I have horizontal nipples. And they froze. I’ll have to research to see what I have. Could I put a plastic 5 gallon bucket on one of those chicken flat warmer things?

 

[tripletfeb]

Horizontal nipples?
They are the best, get a heated waterer with HN's...and you'll be much happier.

X2

 

[jreardon1918]

Horizontal nipples?
They are the best, get a heated waterer with HN's...and you'll be much happier.

HN all the way. Here is a picture of my bucket. Note the nipples are installed a couple inches from the bottom. There is a submersible heater that keeps the water unfrozen. I had a different brand heater that worked great for 5+years. I replaced it with this one as the other one looked ready for replacement. I have a smaller 2 gallon bucket that I bring out each day to top off the 5 gallon waterer. Saves on my back.

 

[Lulu-vt]

HN all the way. Here is a picture of my bucket. Note the nipples are installed a couple inches from the bottom. There is a submersible heater that keeps the water unfrozen. I had a different brand heater that worked great for 5+years. I replaced it with this one as the other one looked ready for replacement. I have a smaller 2 gallon bucket that I bring out each day to top off the 5 gallon waterer. Saves on my back.

Amazing!! That’s what I need. I wasn’t sure if you could use a submersible deicer in a plastic bucket. Do you mind sharing which one you have? How many watts does it have?

 

[aart]

I think I have horizontal nipples. And they froze.

Got a pic?
HN's need a heater too, but the heater should be internal as that's where the valve seal is.
There's some good heated HN waterers on the market now.
I devised my own years ago.

 

[FarmallNut]

https://a.co/d/g0YZ3Rp
This is what I use year round.