5 Gallon Heated Chicken Waterer

Breaking ice out of a waterer twice a day is the worst job of a cold morning, and a flock that cannot drink stops laying. This 5 gallon dispenser sits on four legs with a heated base and an automatic temperature control, so it draws power only when it needs to rather than running all winter. Seven nipples around the body give water on demand, and the raised height plus the covered lid keep shavings, dust and droppings out of the reservoir. A wide opening and a carry handle make refills a one-trip job.

• Automatic Control: The base heats when conditions call for it, not constantly.
• Seven Drinking Nipples: Enough points that a flock is not queueing at one spout.
• 5 Gallon Reservoir: Holds enough that refills drop to every few days for a small flock.
• Raised on Four Legs: Keeps the drinking height above the bedding so water stays cleaner.
• Covered Lid and Handle: The lid blocks dust and droppings, the handle eases refills.

Note: This is a 110V 70W mains appliance running in a dusty coop full of dry bedding, so treat the wiring as the main safety job. Plug it into a grounded outdoor-rated outlet protected by a GFCI, which is a legal requirement for outbuilding and damp-location circuits in most places. Do not run it from an indoor extension lead, a lightweight household cord, a daisy chain of adapters or a timer not rated for the load: use a single outdoor-rated extension cord of the correct gauge if you need one, or have an outlet fitted. Keep the cord off the floor and clear of shavings and straw, run it where birds cannot peck or perch on it, and protect it from rodents. Inspect the cord, plug and base for cracks, chew marks, scorching or corrosion before every season and before you plug it in, and bin the unit rather than repairing a damaged cord. Unplug before filling, cleaning or moving it, and never run it dry. Set it on a firm level surface, not directly on loose deep litter.