p/thebighatclub

The Best Chicken Waterers

Feeding your micronation

Ex Amish Cornish Rock Chicken Tractor

Try different jobs: my brief time at a hunting preserve

FEMA Camp 2.0

I am thinking probably metal cannister for watering? as I would need to use heat tape to keep it from freezing in the winter.  A heated plastic waterer seems like it would break down long term no?

Yes, they can be brittle in the cold and break down in the sun. I worked at a farm store and saw so many of those returned. I can't even remember if I tried them. I'd stick with the galvanized steel double wall.

is there like an additive to put in the water that is safe for the chickens but helps fight off bacteria and other unwanted growth in their water?  I have a well so I was thinking, heat tape + a slow drip would be good for the birds.

I never used any additives. I just had extra waterers that I'd clean with soap and rotate out. I've heard people using apple cider vinegar, but never did it myself, and you can't use it with metal. The nice thing about the galvanized steel is there's less buildup, but still there. There are separate additives (prebiotic, probiotic, electrolytes...) you can get for overall chicken health, but I never used them. Mine were in a pen, but such a large pen, might as well be considered free range. They were able to access whatever they needed. I'd set out crushed oyster shells for them to grab whenever they wanted. On the subject of additives, you'll also want to get diatomaceous earth. It can be added to water, food, or sprinkled around. It's a great dewormer, and helps get rid of ticks and lice. So you can put some in their favorite dust bathing area, too. One other winter option I just remembered, was using a rubber feeder, but only if you don't mind dumping out the ice and refilling it once or twice a day. [image]

Yeah I would like to keep things clean, and keep everybody healthy.