Keeping your chickens hydrated is an important part of making sure they stay healthy; it’s very important that you keep fresh, clean water accessible to your chickens at all times. Unlike other pets, chickens can be challenging to keep hydrated. One full-grown hen can drink around a pint of water per day, and she will drink even more when the weather is hot. Any chickens you are raising for meat will need even more water because they grow more quickly than laying hens. As you can see, if you have multiple chickens, you need to be able to provide them with quite a lot of water.

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What Is a Chicken Waterer?

To save yourself from having to lug water to your chicken coop multiple times a day, you might want to consider getting a chicken waterer. The benefit of a chicken waterer is that you can typically fill the reserve with a substantial amount, reducing your number of trips. Waterers are typically designed so that just a small amount of water is released at a time. This helps keep the water clean and reduces evaporation.

chicken waterer

Why Are Some Chicken Waterers Heated?

If you live in a cold climate, you should consider purchasing a heated chicken waterer for your birds. Freezing temperatures will inevitably freeze your chickens’ drinking water, making it impossible for them to hydrate. In this guide, we will go over some of the best heated waterers out there. We have included buyer’s guides and pros and cons for each item to help you decide which option is best for you and your chickens!

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A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

RatingImageProductDetails
Winner
Farm Innovators Heated HB-60P Poultry Drinker Farm Innovators Heated HB-60P Poultry Drinker
  • Refilling is simple
  • Last several seasons
  • Thermostatically controlled
  • Second place
    Farm Innovators “All Seasons” Poultry Fountain Farm Innovators “All Seasons” Poultry Fountain
  • Translucent body
  • Ideal for all-season use
  • Great for a large flock of chickens
  • Third place
    Harris Farms Heated Poultry Base Harris Farms Heated Poultry Base
  • Setup is very easy
  • Thermostatically controlled
  • Perfect for transitioning waterer for winter
  • Farm Innovators Heated Pet Bowl Farm Innovators Heated Pet Bowl
  • Affordable
  • Thermostatically controlled
  • “Anti-chew” protective material
  • Bird Bath De-Icer Bird Bath De-Icer
  • Comes with a clamp
  • Galvanized protector cord
  • Works well with many pre-existing chicken waterers
  • The 7 Best Heated Chicken Waterers

    1. Farm Innovators Heated HB-60P Poultry Drinker

    Farm Innovators Heated HB-60P Poultry Drinker

    Water Capacity:2 gallons
    Weight and Dimensions:3.15 pounds, 12” x 12” x 11”
    Heater:60 watts, thermostatically controlled
    Material:Plastic, translucent body (BPA free), metal handle for hanging
    Electrical Cord Length:5 feet

    The Farm Innovators HB-60P Poultry Drinker comes with nipple-style valves that your chickens can push whenever they want a drink of water. This is one of the best chicken waterer designs for preventing messes and water waste. This isn’t the largest waterer on this list, but still a decent size as it can accommodate up to 15 chickens. One of the best features of this waterer is also its downfall: the top-entry design makes refilling this waterer simple, but it also makes for an easy chicken perch—which could lead to the waterer being knocked over.

    Pros
    • Plastic body is translucent, easy to see how much water is left
    • Very durable and should last several seasons
    • Nipple design makes it easy to get water with minimal waste
    • Waterer is thermostatically controlled
    • Refilling is simple
    Cons
    • Wide lid of this waterer is easy for chickens to perch on
    • Cord is not wrapped in coil to protect chickens from pecking at it

    2. Farm Innovators “All Seasons” Poultry Fountain

    Farm Innovators “All Seasons” Poultry Fountain

    Water Capacity:3 gallons
    Weight and Dimensions:2.25 pounds, 12” x 16” x 12”
    Heater:100 watts, thermostatically controlled
    Material:Plastic body
    Electrical Cord Length:2 feet

    This “All Seasons” waterer, also from Farm Innovators, presents another good option. The design is different from the first Farm Innovators product on this list. Instead of the nipple valves, this waterer features a trough at the bottom that uses a small amount of water at a time. Although this product is great for all seasons, you should keep in mind that you cannot remove the cord during the summer when you don’t need the heating feature. This is one of the biggest waterers on this list, so if you have a large flock of chickens, you should seriously consider this option.

    Pros
    • Great for a large flock of chickens
    • Thermostatically controlled
    • Ideal for all-season use
    • Body is translucent, making it easy to tell when it’s time to refill
    • Economically priced
    Cons
    • Power cord is very short
    • Filled from the bottom, can be difficult to refill
    • Reservoir doesn’t always properly lock into place

    3. Harris Farms Heated Poultry Base

    Harris Farms Heated Poultry Base

    Water Capacity:N/A
    Weight and Dimensions:3 pounds, 16.34” x 16.34” x 3.5”
    Heater:125 watts, thermostatically controlled
    Material:Galvanized steel
    Electrical Cord Length:6 feet

    This isn’t actually a waterer itself but is a useful heated add-on that may create the best chicken waterer for winter. If you have a metal galvanized chicken waterer that you use year-round, this heated base could be a great option for you. Set-up is very simple; all you have to do is place it under your pre-existing waterer and plug it in. They can keep water from freezing down to a temperature of 10°F, so they are suitable for most winter climates, but if you happen to live in a climate where temperatures regularly plummet below 10°F, you may want to look for other options.

    Pros
    • Setup is very easy
    • Perfect for those who want to transition their waterer for winter
    • Base is thermostatically controlled
    Cons
    • Could melt plastic and even become a fire hazard
    • As a standalone base, these can get very hot – use caution when handling
    • May not fit every waterer

    4. Farm Innovators Heated Pet Bowl

    Farm Innovators Heated Pet Bowl

    Water Capacity:1.5 gallons
    Weight and Dimensions:14.4 oz, 12” x 12” x 4.75”
    Heater:60 watts, thermostatically controlled
    Material:Plastic
    Electrical Cord Length:5 feet

    The Farm Innovators heated bowl provides an alternative to the more standard chicken waterer design. It is practical and economical, and makes a lot of sense if you only have a few chickens. The capacity of this bowl is lower than that of other products on this list, but you should keep in mind that you will likely be changing the water more frequently anyway; the exposed bowl means that your chickens’ water will get dirty more quickly. The lower wattage makes this product more energy efficient than other options out there, but keep in mind that it also means that the capacity of this product will be more limited. Still, this heated bowl will prevent freezing down to a temperature of 10°F, which is sufficient for many climates.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Cord features an “anti-chew” protective material
    • Thermostatically controlled
    Cons
    • Capacity of the bowl is only 1.5 gallons
    • The design means water will get dirty, spill out, or evaporate more quickly

    5. Bird Bath De-Icer

    Bird Bath De-Icer

    Water Capacity:Can keep up to 15 gallons of water from freezing
    Weight and Dimensions:1.58 pounds, 7.5” x 2.75” x 0.88”
    Heater:200 watts, thermostatically controlled
    Material:Stainless steel
    Electrical Cord Length:6 feet

    A de-icer is another great option if you already have a chicken waterer that you want to keep from freezing during the winter. The beauty of this do-it-yourself option is that it works well with a variety of different types of waterers, including the more traditional troughs and buckets. If you are concerned about submerging a heater like this directly into your chickens’ water, don’t be. Both the heating element and the cord are completely enclosed to prevent both pecking and electrical problems. This product has a much larger heating capacity than most items on this list at 15 gallons, making it a wonderful option if you have a very large flock and need to heat a substantially sized trough.

    Pros
    • The cord has a galvanized protector
    • Comes with a clamp to attach to your chickens’ water container
    • Works well with many pre-existing chicken waterers
    • Includes a thermostat that automatically turns off heat
    Cons
    • If you don’t already have a chicken waterer, the combination can be a bit pricey
    • Some reviewers had problems with rusting

    6. Allied Precision Industries Heated Chicken Waterer

    Allied Precision Industries Heated Chicken Waterer

    Water Capacity:3 gallons
    Weight and Dimensions:2.7 pounds, 14” x 14” x 17”
    Heater:200 watts, thermostatically controlled
    Material:Plastic (BPA-free)
    Electrical Cord Length:6 feet

    This waterer is a very efficient product that comes with a dual heating system that prevents freezing but also keeps the water from becoming too hot for your chickens to drink. It has a self-contained water dispenser that releases water a little bit at a time in the tiny tray that runs around the base. Like some other waterers on this list, the Allied Precision Industries heated waterer comes with a handle for hanging, but beware of the potential for water spillage due to its design. This product is very easy to use; all you need to do is fill it up, turn it right-side up, and plug it in.

    Pros
    • 6-foot long cord
    • 3-gallon water capacity
    • High wattage keeps water fresh at low temps
    • Thermostatically controlled
    Cons
    • Need to flip it upside down to refill

    7. K&H Pet Products Thermo-Poultry Waterer

    K&H Pet Products Thermo-Poultry Waterer

    Water Capacity:2.5 gallons
    Weight and Dimensions:1 pound, 16” x 15” x 15”
    Heater:60 watts, thermostatically controlled
    Material:Plastic (BPA free)
    Electrical Cord Length:4 feet

    The K&H Thermo-Poultry Waterer is well-designed with your chickens in mind. This waterer comes with a filter tray that makes it easy for you to clean out excess water without having to worry about draining the waterer. This 60-watt, thermostatically controlled product is fairly energy-efficient, and at 2.5 gallons, you shouldn’t have to replenish the water supply too frequently. Like other products on this list, your chickens can access the water by drinking out of the reservoir at the bottom of the waterer; unlike our other picks, this waterer can’t be hung. One of the advantages of this waterer is the 2-year warranty, which will put your mind at ease.

    Pros
    • Spill-proof cap
    • 2-year warranty
    Cons
    • Quite expensive
    • Short electrical cord

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    Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Heated Chicken Waterer

    There are many different types of chicken waterers that are made from a variety of materials. Some of the most popular waterer types out there are buckets, troughs, bell-shaped waterers, and nipple waterers. The precise style that you choose will depend on the size of your flock and your needs. If you’re looking to buy a heated waterer, there are a few additional variables that you should consider before making your purchase. This guide will break down all of the key metrics you should be paying attention to when purchasing a waterer for your chickens.

    Waterer Type

    Automatic Waterers

    Automatic waterers tend to be the best option for conserving and keeping water clean. This type of waterer usually comes with a nipple or cup design that allows your chicken to take a sip whenever they want without the problem of standing water. The main issue with this option is that it can take a bit more setup and is less user-friendly than other options. Some automatic waterers require a hose to be fitted to the waterer, so if you don’t have a spout near your coop, make sure to take that into account before purchasing.

    Gravity Waterers

    Gravity waterers can either be filled from the top or the bottom, and their design is simple: they rely on gravity to slowly release water. Like automatic waterers, this type of waterer conserves water by reducing opportunities for spillage. However, there is still a small amount of standing water with this type of product that can quickly become dirty when sediment and other unwanted residue washes off into the tiny trough.

    Container Waterers

    Container waterers are the simplest option out there. These include any type of open container, such as a trough or bucket, that holds a large amount of water from which your chickens can drink. While a container such as a bucket may be the simplest and cheapest option, this type of waterer poses its own set of challenges. For one thing, the water in an open container is likely to get dirty more quickly, which means you will be changing it out more frequently. It can also be difficult to find a container that is the appropriate height; of course, you want it to be low enough to the ground for your chickens to drink, but if it’s too low, they’ll be walking and bathing in it instead.

    heated poultry fountain

    Capacity

    The capacity you need really depends on the size of your flock. Remember that an adult chicken drinks about one pint of water a day, on average. If your waterer holds two gallons of water and you have 15 chickens, you’ll be refilling it about once a day. If you have 30 chickens, you’ll need to refill it twice a day.

    In addition to the actual water capacity in gallons, you might also want to consider the style of waterer and plan accordingly. If the waterer you select has nipple-style valves, for example, you want to make sure there is at least one nipple for about every five chickens.

    Thermostat Control

    It’s important to make sure any heated waterers have a thermostat that turns the heating function off when it is not needed. Not only will this save electricity, but it will prevent your chickens’ water from becoming too hot to drink. Luckily, you will find that most heated waterers come with this feature, including each of the items on our list.

    Heater Wattage

    If you live in a cold climate, keep in mind that even a waterer with a thermostat is going to be on and using electricity a lot of the time. While it may not seem like much, the usage from even a small appliance like a chicken waterer can add up over time. Lower wattage equals lower electricity bills. Another bonus: lower wattage waterers are also more energy efficient!

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    Conclusion

    There are many great options out there if you are looking to purchase a heated chicken waterer. The Farm Innovators Heated HB-60P Poultry Drinker was our favorite because of its water-saving nipple design, easy-to-fill top-entry body, and overall durability. If you already own a waterer and you just need a heating element, we think the Harris Farm Poultry Base is the best option due to its easy setup and simple design that works with many different types of waterers.

    Before you buy, make sure to do your research so you are certain the product you buy will work for your climate, your lifestyle, the number of chickens you have, and your coop. You may not have thought about it, but depending on where the closest outlet is located, you might want to consider purchasing a waterer with a longer electrical cord. At the end of the day, each of these products is highly rated for a reason: they get the job done. By reading this article, you’ve already taken the first step to ensuring your chickens have fresh, not frozen, water all winter long.


    Featured Image Credit: Amazon