Water is a vital source of hydration, and that goes for ducks, too! The average mature duck drinks about 1 liter of water a day, and providing fresh water for your ducks to stay hydrated can be a challenge. Ducks like to play in water, so keeping it clean takes some thought. Luckily, duck waterers allow for clean and fresh drinking water that will last throughout the day.

If your ducks dip their beaks to clean out their sinuses, you want something that will replenish the water source with clean water. But how do you go about achieving this task? In this article, we’ll take a look at our top 10 picks for the best duck waterers to help you keep your ducks’ water clear and clean. We’ll review each pick so that you can make the best decision before purchasing.

duck-paw-divider A Quick Look at Our Winners in 2024

RatingImageProductDetails
Best Overall
Winner
K&H Pet Products Heated Thermo-Poultry Waterer K&H Pet Products Heated Thermo-Poultry Waterer
  • Comes with a 60-watt heater to keep water from freezing
  • Made with BPA-free plastic
  • Spill-proof cap
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Lixit Poultry Feeder & Waterer Lixit Poultry Feeder & Waterer
  • Wide reservoir opening
  • Easy to clean
  • Doubles as feeder and waterer
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Royal Rooster Poultry Twin Waterer Royal Rooster Poultry Twin Waterer
  • Valve-operated drinking cups
  • Automatic valve replenishes with fresh water as ducks drink
  • Hooks onto mesh or a wall
  • Little Giant Poultry Water Container Little Giant Poultry Water Container
  • Holds 1 gallon of water
  • Gravity-fed design
  • Polystyrene jar allows for water visibility
  • Patelai Automatic Filling Watering Cups Patelai Automatic Filling Watering Cups
  • Cups have a 3-inch opening
  • Comes with anti-leak gaskets
  • Easy to install
  • The 10 Best Duck Waterers  

    1. K&H Heated Thermo-Poultry Waterer – Best Overall

    K&H Pet Products Heated Thermo-Poultry Waterer

    Dimensions:16″L x 16″W x 15″H
    Material:Plastic
    Product Weight:6 pounds

    The K&H Pet Products Heated Thermo-Poultry Waterer holds 2.5 gallons of clean drinking water for your ducks or chickens.  A standout feature of this electric waterer is the 60-watt heater that prevents the water from freezing, even in temperatures below zero. The unique design prevents roosting, which can make the water dirty with waste. This waterer contains an easy-carry handle, a spill-proof cap, and a removable filter ring for easy cleaning. To clean, you simply remove the filter tray and lightly tap to remove waste and debris, eliminating a need for draining.

    This product is BPA-free and has an easy flow. This product is a little pricey, but keep in mind that no assembly is required before use. The weight of this product is 6 pounds, and it won’t tip over.

    The water in this product has been known to freeze at around 9 degrees F, and it may leak. However, many consumers have had no issues. With its unique features, we feel this product is the best overall duck waterer.

    Pros
    • Comes with a 60-watt heater to keep water from freezing
    • Made with BPA-free plastic
    • Spill-proof cap
    • No assembly required
    • Design prevents roosting
    Cons
    • Water may freeze at very low temps
    • It may leak

     


    2. Lixit Poultry Feeder & Waterer – Best Value

    Lixit Poultry Feeder & Waterer

    Dimensions:10″L x 10″W x 25″H
    Material:Plastic
    Product Weight:4 pounds

    If you’re looking for a good value, then the Lixit Poultry Feeder & Waterer could be a perfect choice. This waterer has a wide reservoir opening that’s perfect for ducks to fit their entire beaks into. It also doubles as a waterer and a feeder; simply reverse the reservoir and flip the base over. It’s easy to clean, and you have a choice of a 64-ounce, 128-ounce, or a bundle of two of either size.

    Even though it doubles as a feeder, it may not work for this purpose, as the food may not dispense through the holes. The plastic may also warp in extreme heat. Nonetheless, for a duck waterer, we feel this product is the best duck waterer for the money.

    Pros
    • Wide reservoir opening
    • Easy to clean
    • Doubles as feeder and waterer
    • Affordable
    Cons
    • May not work well for feeding
    • Plastic may warp in extreme heat

    3. Royal Rooster Duck Waterer – Premium Choice

    Dimensions:5″L x 5″W x 20″H
    Material:Plastic
    Product Weight:1.94 pounds

    The Royal Rooster Chicken Poultry Twin Waterer can hold 1-gallon of water and contains an automatic valve-operated drinking cup. The valve allows small doses of water in at a time, and as the water level decreases, the automatic valve will replenish with fresh water. It’s easy to clean and fill, and no training is necessary, as your ducks will take to this waterer. It hooks onto any mesh with brackets, or you can attach it to a wall to suit your specific needs.

    You can hook a heat lamp to the feeder during freezing temperatures, but this is sold separately. The waterer may leak around the base, and the cups may be too small for a duck to fit its bill into. It’s also the most expensive feeder on our list.

    Pros
    • Valve-operated drinking cups
    • Automatic valve replenishes with fresh water as ducks drink
    • Hooks onto mesh or a wall
    • Easy to clean and fill
    Cons
    • Heating lamp sold separately
    • May leak around the base
    • Cups may be too small for a duck’s entire bill
    • Expensive

    4. Little Giant Poultry Water Container

    Little Giant Poultry Water Container

    Dimensions:9″L x 9″W x 25″H
    Material:Plastic
    Product Weight:56 pounds

    The Little Giant Poultry Water Container has a 1-gallon capacity. The polystyrene water tank is designed to withstand heat, cold weather, and cracks. Assembly is easy; you just screw the jar onto the base. It has a constant water flow by way of a gravity-fed design, and the molded polystyrene jar allows for water visibility so that you know how much water is in the tank itself. The red base also attracts ducks to the waterer.

    The jar and base are sold separately, and the jar may come loose from the base easily. The plastic jar may also not hold up to extreme heat. The jar has a handle, but you’ll want to pick it up at both the top and bottom because the jar may come off.

    Pros
    • Holds 1 gallon of water
    • Gravity-fed design
    • Polystyrene jar allows for water visibility
    Cons
    • Jar and base are sold separately
    • Plastic jar may warp in extreme heat
    • Jay may come off easily when lifting

    5. Patelai Automatic Filling Watering Cups

    Patelai Automatic Filling Watering Cups

    Dimensions:7.99″L x 16″W x 2.48″H
    Material:PVC
    Product Weight:7.8 ounces

    The Patelai Automatic Filling Waterer Cups are made of PVC, and they have a wide, 3-inch opening that’s perfect for ducks to drink and clean out their sinuses. Each bowl has anti-leak gaskets, and it’s easy to install onto a bucket or pipe. You can purchase these cups in quantities of 6, 12, 24, or 48. A 5-gallon bucket works well for this product; simply drill a hole using a ⅜” drill bit and screw the cups into the hole using wingnuts. The water fills automatically into the cups.

    The cups may leak, and the cups could be more durable.

    Pros
    • Cups have a 3-inch opening
    • Comes with anti-leak gaskets
    • Easy to install
    • Can purchase in quantities of 6, 12, 24, or 48 cups
    • Automatic filler
    Cons
    • Cups may leak
    • Cups could be more durable

    6. RentACoop Automatic Duck Water Cup Waterer Kit

    RentACoop Automatic Chicken Water Cup Waterer Kit

    Dimensions:9″L x 8″W x 4″H
    Material:Plastic
    Product Weight:4.6 ounces

    The RentACoop Automatic Chicken Water Cup Waterer Kit comes in a pack of 6 cups, and the cups serve as an automatic valve. The cups lift as the water decreases, prompting water to refill inside. The weight of the water lowers the cup, therefore shutting the valve. These cups are also easy to clean.

    Installation is easy, and the cups can be used with 5-gallon buckets, 55-gallon drums, PVC pipes, or ring barrels. You can purchase the kit or just the cups. If you purchase the kit, it comes with everything you need to install (except for the drill and ⅜” drill bit).

    The cups may not be as durable as you’d like, and sometimes they may overflow. 

    Pros
    • Comes in a pack of 6 cups
    • Hardware for installation included
    • Automatically refills
    • Easy to clean
    • Easy to install
    Cons
    • Cups may not be durable
    • Cups may overflow at times

    7. Harris Farms Poultry Drinker

    Harris Farms Poultry Drinker

    Dimensions:17″L x 17″W x 21″H
    Material:Plastic
    Product Weight:3.3 pounds

    The Harris Farms Poultry Drinker is an all-in-one option with a simplistic assembly. It’s made from BPA-free plastic and comes with a lid to keep debris out of the water. It can be used indoors and outdoors and has a handle for easy carrying.  The base has a float that allocates water to the rim, and it’s easy to clean. You can purchase either a 3.5-gallon or a 6.25-gallon drinker.

    This product may leak and overflow, so keep this in mind if you want to use it indoors. The tray may only be big enough for ducks to drink and not rinse their beaks.

    Pros
    • Simplistic assembly
    • Contains a lid to keep out debris
    • Easy to clean
    • Available in 3.5-gallon or 6.25-gallon drinker
    • BPA-free plastic
    Cons
    • May leak and overflow
    • Tray may not be big enough for ducks to rinse their beaks

    8. Lil Clucker Large Automatic Waterer Cups

    (5 Pack) Lil Clucker Large Automatic Chicken Waterer Cups

    Dimensions:7.74″L x 5.53″W x 2.95″H
    Material:Plastic
    Product Weight:5.4 ounces

    The (5 Pack) Lil Clucker Large Automatic Chicken Waterer Cups come with a washer and wingnut for an anti-leak design. Each cup is 2.87 inches in diameter, which makes it perfect for ducks to immerse their beaks. You can install these cups on PVC pipes, buckets, and even rain barrels. The cups automatically refill, and they are easy to install. You can attach them to a bucket, or you can use a pressure regulator or float valve with a max of 3 PSI.

    The cups may break easily when ducks or chickens drink, and leaking can be an issue despite the anti-leak design.

    Pros
    • Comes in a pack of 5 cups
    • Wide opening for ducks beaks
    • Cups automatically refill when needed
    • Install on PVC, buckets, and rain barrels
    Cons
    • Cups may break easily
    • Cups may leak

    9. Backyard Barnyard Automatic Poultry Waterer Cup

    Backyard Barnyard 2 Pack Automatic Poultry Waterer Cup Drinker

    Dimensions:6.22″L x 21″W x 2.95″H
    Material:PVC
    Product Weight:1.76 ounces

    The Backyard Barnyard 2 Pack Automatic Poultry Waterer Cup Drinker is easy to install and comes with the mounting hardware you’ll need to attach to a water source. They come with instructions for easy installation, and you can mount them to mesh, buckets, drums, or walls. These cups have a wide opening of 2.6 inches, making them a perfect size for ducks. No training is required to get your ducks drinking and staying hydrated.

    You may need to purchase additional washers when installing to keep them from leaking.

    Pros
    • Easily attaches to buckets, drums, PVC, mesh, or walls
    • Wide cup opening of 2.6 inches
    • No training required
    • Easy installation
    Cons
    • May need to install additional washers to prevent leaking

    10. Double-Tuf Poultry Waterer with Legs

    Double-Tuf Poultry Waterer with Legs

    Dimensions:12″L x 12″W x 13″H
    Material:Plastic
    Product Weight:8.8 ounces

    If you don’t want to install cups to a water source, then the Double-Tuf Poultry Waterer with Legs may be something to consider. This waterer is a one-piece construction that’s easy to set up. The jar unscrews at the bottom of the base for easy filling. You can purchase a 1.5-quart, 2.5-gallon, or a 3-quart waterer. The impact-resistant plastic won’t mold, and it contains a handle on top of the jar for easy moving. The plastic lid keeps debris out, and it’s translucent, allowing you to see the water level. The legs are also removable.

    This waterer requires solid and level ground, or else it will leak from the sides where the jar meets the base. It’s also a bit difficult to take the jar on and off the base because there is nothing to grasp.

    Pros
    • One-piece construction
    • Available in 1.5 quarts, 2.5 quarts, or 3 quarts
    • Mold resistant
    • Removable legs
    Cons
    • Leaks if not on level ground
    • Difficult to take the jar on and off

    duck-dividerBuyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Duck Waterer

    Before purchasing a duck waterer, here are a few things to consider. Keep these aspects in mind before you pull the trigger on your next waterer.

    The Size of Your Flock

    Do you have just a couple of ducks? A dozen? The watering system you choose will need to accommodate all of your ducks, especially if you have chickens, too. Duck waterers will work for chickens as well, and if you have many birds, you’ll need plenty of access for all of them. If you have quite a few, purchasing individual cups may be your best option. You’ll need a bucket, drum, or PVC piping to attach the cups.  This method is the best option when you have several ducks.

    The Height of the Waterer

    You’ll want to ensure that your ducks have easy access to the waterer. Some waterers can be attached to mesh or a wall, and if you go this route, make sure your ducks can reach it.

    The Size of the Cups

    Since we know that ducks like to play in water, it’s important to make sure the opening of the cups will allow your ducks to dip their beaks into. Some cups may be too small and will only allow them to drink. A good rule of thumb is to buy cups with roughly a 2.6-inch opening.

    duck-paw-divider Conclusion

    For the best overall duck waterier, we recommend the K&H Pet Products Heated Thermo-Poultry Waterer for its heating capabilities, unique design, spill-proof cap, and easy cleaning. For the best value, we recommend the Lixit Poultry Feeder & Waterer for its wide reservoir opening, ease of cleaning, and its feeding capabilities.

    We hope we have made your duck waterer search a little easier, and we wish you luck!

    See also: 4 Effective DIY Duck Waterers You Can Make at Home


    Featured Image Credit: Natka-i, Shutterstock