7 Best Automatic Chicken Waterer for 2024

Chickens need water to stay healthy and happy. An automatic waterer is one of the best ways to ensure your chickens always have water. These special waterers keep the water clean and fresh without much work from you.

Automatic waterers help save time and keep your chickens’ water clean. They work by refilling the water automatically, so you don’t have to do it daily. This means your chickens will never run out of water, even if you’re busy.

In this guide, you’ll learn about the best automatic chicken waterers, their usefulness, and how to choose the best one for your flock.

Let’s get started!

What Are Automatic Chicken Waterers?

Automatic chicken waterers are special devices that give your chickens water without you having to refill it every day. They use a system that automatically adds water when the level gets low.

There are different types of automatic waterers. Some use a float-valve that lets water in when it’s needed. Others use nipples that chickens peck at to get water.

These waterers are very helpful because they keep the water clean and fresh. They also make sure your chickens always have enough water to drink.

Benefits of Automatic Chicken Waterers

Automatic chicken waterers have many benefits. They save you time because you don’t have to refill them daily. This means you can spend more time on other tasks or relax.

These waterers also keep the water clean. Chickens can’t scratch dirt or poop into the water, so it stays fresh and healthy for them to drink.

Another benefit is that your chickens always have water, even if you are not home. This is especially helpful on hot days when chickens need to drink more water.

Types of Automatic Chicken Waterers

There are different types of automatic chicken waterers. Each one works in a special way to keep your chickens’ water fresh and full.

1. Float-Valve Waterers

Float-valve waterers use a small float that rises and falls with the water level. The valve opens and lets more water in when the water gets low.

2. Pressure-Regulated Waterers

These waterers connect to a water line and use pressure to keep the water flowing. They are good for large flocks.

3. Nipple Waterers

Nipple waterers have little nozzles that chickens peck to get water. They help clean the water because the chickens can’t step into it.

Each type of waterer has its own benefits, so you can choose the one that works best for your chickens and your setup.

Choosing the Right Automatic Waterer for Your Flock

Picking the perfect automatic waterer for your chickens is crucial. Here are some detailed points to consider:

Determining Your Flock Size and Waterer Needs

The size of your flock determines how many waterers you need. Here’s how to decide:

Small Flocks (1-10 chickens)

• One automatic waterer is usually enough. Make sure it has enough capacity for all chickens to drink comfortably.

Medium Flocks (11-25 chickens)

• Consider having at least two waterers. This ensures all chickens have access to water, especially during hot weather or busy times.

Large Flocks (26+ chickens)

• You will need multiple waterers spread out around the coop and run. This prevents crowding and ensures all chickens can drink easily.

Climate and Weather

Think about your local weather. Choose a waterer that keeps water cool in hot climates to prevent overheating. In cold climates, a heated waterer is important to stop water from freezing so your chickens can always drink.

Ease of Use

Look for a waterer that is easy to set up and clean. Some waterers need more work to install, while others are simple. An easy-to-clean waterer will save you time and effort, keeping the water fresh and hygienic for your flock.

Budget

Consider how much you can spend. While some automatic waterers might be expensive, they can be a good investment, lasting longer and requiring less maintenance. However, there are also affordable options that work well and fit within a smaller budget.

Durability

Make sure the waterer is made of strong materials. A durable waterer will withstand the pecking and scratching from chickens and the outdoor elements, ensuring it lasts a long time.

Place waterers in different areas so chickens don’t have to fight for space. Ensure they are at a height that chickens can reach comfortably.

Do chicks need different automatic waterers?

Yes, chicks need different automatic waterers compared to adult chickens. They are smaller and more fragile, so they require waterers specifically designed for their size and needs.

Choosing the right automatic waterer for your chicks is key to keeping them healthy and hydrated. Here’s what to look for:

Chick-Friendly Design

When selecting an automatic waterer for chicks, design plays a crucial role in ensuring ease of use and accessibility.

Low Height

The waterer should be low to the ground so chicks can easily reach it. Chicks are small and cannot jump or stretch far, so the height should be appropriate for their size.

Gentle Flow

The water flow should be gentle, not overwhelming. Chicks have tiny beaks and need a controlled flow to drink comfortably without getting soaked.

Simple Operation

The waterer should be easy for chicks to understand and use. Complex designs can confuse young chicks, so a straightforward, intuitive design is best.

Easy Access

The waterer should have an open design or easily accessible nozzles. This ensures that all chicks can drink without crowding or competition, which can lead to stress or injury.

Sturdy and Stable

It should be stable and not easily tipped over. Chicks can be very active and may knock over a lightweight or poorly balanced waterer, leading to spills and a lack of water.

Bright Colors

Brightly colored waterers can attract chicks and encourage them to drink. Chicks are naturally curious and may be more likely to investigate and use a waterer that stands out.

Material Safety

The materials used should be non-toxic and safe for chicks. Avoid waterers with small parts that could break off and become choking hazards.

Recommended automatic waterers for baby chicks

1. Roosty’s Chick Feeder and Waterer Kit: A simple, durable option for chicks.
2. RentACoop Automatic Drinker: Easy for chicks to drink from and keeps water clean.
3. Eggluuz Automatic Chicken Feeder and Waterer Set: Ensures constant fresh water and is easy to clean

Top 7 Best Automatic Chicken Waterer Reviews

Choosing the right automatic waterer can make a big difference for your chickens. Here are some top recommended options:

#1. 2 Gallon Chicken Waterer

With its simple design, low cost, and great versatility, this little beauty is very popular.

The BPA-free plastic container holds 2 gallons of water and is covered to keep the water clean. And it’s a shaped cover so the pesky chickens can’t roost on the top and poop over the nice waterer!

4 drinking nipples (one on each side) supply the water on demand to the chickens. The 2 gallons should supply 4 hens with enough water for 5 days. It’s easy to fill by a hose through a cap in the cover.

The container comes with a hanger but is probably best placed on a raised surface. This keeps it steady and out of the dirt. Just make sure the chickens can reach the nipples!

Pros

• Simple design is easy to use. No plumbing required
• Low cost
• Durable, sturdy materials should last a long time
• Up to 5 days water supply for 4 chickens

Cons

• Can swing about if hung
• Water can freeze in low temperatures

#2. HPF-100 All-Seasons Heated Poultry Fountain

This is a more traditional design, like a feeder, but has a couple of very useful extras! 

If you live in an area with cold winters and are worried about the water freezing, this clever waterer has a thermostatically controlled heater that will prevent the water from freezing down to 0deg F. 

And if you’re worried about wasting energy, it doesn’t turn on until the temperature is low enough to trigger the controller.

A large 3-gallon reservoir holds plenty of water to keep your chickens happy for days.

Pros

• Suitable for all seasons
• Large reservoir means less checking
• Can be hung or placed on flat surface
• The open trough around the bottom means several birds can drink at the same time
• Saves energy by not being on all the time

Cons

• You may need an extension lead to supply the power
• Dirt can get into the water unless raised up out of the way a bit

#3. Harris Farms Cup-A-Water Poultry Drinker

Harris Farms in Tennessee has 30 years of experience in making poultry supplies, so it’s no surprise they have a great little automatic waterer on sale.

Holding up to 4 gallons, this drinker is big enough for 24 birds, and you can even add more cups to it if you have more. 

Like the others, this one can be placed or hung but maybe better attached to the outside of the perimeter fence. The drinking cups can be placed through the fence so the birds can drink, while the main container stays clean and easy to access on the outside. Made from BPA-free plastic, the square container has a hinged lid for easy filling and closes to keep the water clean. 

The cups are a nice, open design and the valve releases water on demand. This means it’s easy for the chickens to drink from and the cups don’t overflow.  I also like that the cups are also removable for easy cleaning.

It’s a nice, simple design that just works well and makes life easy!

Pros

• Simple design – easy to use and keep clean
• Large enough for most domestic flocks
• Can be hung outside the fence to make checking and filling easy
• More cups are available if you need them
• The material used inhibits algae growth

Cons

• Water can freeze at low temperatures
• May take some DIY skill to mount on the fence

#4. Little Giant Float Controlled Automatic Waterer

This beauty is a thing of wonder. 

Working a bit like your toilet cistern, a float valve inside the container automatically lets water in when the level gets down. This means you don’t need to check the container that often, just make sure it’s working from time to time.

You just need to connect the supplied filler hose to a ¾” garden hose, and away you go!

It holds a full 4 gallons, so your chickens will never go thirsty. The open-top design means even larger animals can use it (if your birds don’t mind sharing!)

It will also add a bit of style to your coop, as it is available in several colors.

Pros

• Automatic filling means it doesn’t run dry
• Strong materials and sturdy design
• Easy fence or wall fixing with supplied brackets
• Open design makes it easy to drink from
• Available in different colours

Cons

• Open top means dirt can get in
• Make sure to mount it low enough for hens to reach the water
• Can freeze in colder climates

#5. Little Giant Automatic Poultry Waterer With Cover

This waterer may be smaller than its big brother above, but do not underestimate it! It has been very well designed and should become a favorite for those with smaller flocks.

It only holds just over a gallon (4 quarts), but because it has an automatic filling valve connected to a hose, it will fill itself whenever it needs to. It will join to any standard ¾” hose.

The container has an open top for easy drinking, and the clever people at Little Giant have added a conical cover to keep the dirt out. The cone shape also stops the chickens from climbing and pooping all over it!  

Pros

• Automatic filler – constant supply of water
• Connects to standard garden hose
• Great size for smaller flocks
• Budget friendly
• Cover helps keep it clean

Cons

• Small size not so good for larger flocks
• Can freeze in cold weather

#6. Royal Rooster Twin Waterer with Automatic Valve Cups

This is one fun waterer! Every time I look at it I can’t help thinking it looks like a chicken! A tall narrow cylinder holds 1 gallon – so far so normal – but the two cups are placed at the bottom and look just like a chicken’s feet, or maybe it’s just me?

The solid, white, UV-resistant cylinder container is covered to stop dust and dirt from getting into the water.  The water fills the two cups at the bottom and little floats in the cups allow water to fill the cups when they get near empty. This simple design means no difficult learning curve for your birds – even my dim-witted chickens should manage it!

This waterer is recommended for smaller flocks of up to six chickens or 3 chickens for up to a week. If you have this size flock you can spend more time enjoying your eggs at breakfast as you won’t have to be rushing out to check the water in the coop!

Pros

• Australian made – good build quality
• Can be fence or wall mounted
• Auto filling, easy to use cups
• Slimline design suitable for smaller spaces
• Looks like it has chicken’s feet!

Cons

• No hanger
• Need to look inside to check the water level

#7. Oasis Chicken Waterer Kit with Automatic Float Valve

This is a low-cost, do-it-yourself kit to build your own automatic chicken waterer. It uses a standard 5-gallon bucket that does not come with the kit, but most people with some animals will have one lying around somewhere. I know I do! Or you can buy one for a few dollars.

It comes with all the kit needed to build it, even a hole saw and drill bit! Drill a hole and connect the float valve to the hose adaptor through the hole. Drill the holes for the 4 cups and connect them on – and off you go! Don’t worry, it comes with an instruction booklet.

The float valve will keep the bucket filled with water. If you have the lid for the bucket you can use it to keep the water clean inside. It may be worth putting something on top to stop the chickens from climbing or roosting on it. 

4 cups on a 5-gallon bucket are enough for most flocks but it would be easy to build another should you have a larger flock. The cups are wide enough to make it easy to drink out of, and there are no tricky triggers to hit to allow refilling – another winner for my dim-witted birds!

Pros

• Inexpensive – especially if you already have a suitable container
• Large, auto-fill cups for easy drinking, even for ducks
• Connects to standard hose, with adaptor for easy installation
• Big enough for most flocks

Cons

• Some assembly required
• May not be enough for very large flocks
• Can’t be easily fixed to fence or wall

Things to Consider Before Buying an Automatic Chicken Waterer

Hopefully, the reviews above have given you some ideas, but before you rush out and start spending, there are some things you need to think about first. No doubt you are as excited as I am to get caring for your chickens, so let’s do a bit of homework first and make sure we make the right choice.

Firstly, how many chickens do you have? Make sure the waterer is big enough to last them for the time that you are happy to go between checking. But not too big that the water gets stale and grows algae before refilling.

As a basic rule, 4 adult chickens will drink around a quart of water a day. Maybe more in hot weather.

This is not such an issue with an automatic waterer, as it will keep filling, but you will want to check it occasionally just to be sure nothing has gone wrong.

 Also, make sure there are enough cups for your birds. About 5 to 8 chickens per cup should be OK.

Secondly, Location, Location, Location! Do you want to stand it on a plinth, hang it from the fence or fix it to a wall? Think about how the chickens will access the waterer, plumbing the hose up to it, and how easy and quick it will be for you to do a quick check on the water.

Last, but certainly not least, think about the price. Costs can vary greatly so think about your budget along with the other requirements. I find it’s often best to choose the right product and then check all the retailers for the best price.

CONCLUSION

Automatic chicken waterers are a great way to keep your chickens happy and healthy. They save you time, keep the water clean, and ensure your chickens have enough to drink. By choosing the right waterer for your flock size, installing it correctly, and maintaining it regularly, you can provide the best care for your chickens. Remember, a well-hydrated chicken is a healthy chicken!

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