This list of the best chicken water heater will be helpful in deciding which water heater will be best to keep your water ready for your flock in the cold. Having a heating system connected with your waterer is essential for your flock to stay healthy.
When creating this list of best heated chicken waterers, there were a few things we were assessing. It is important to have accessible water for your flock even in the winter, but keeping it heated can be a safety hazard if done improperly.
You want to have a reliable source of heat that will not cause a fire, since your hens are typically in a lot of pine shavings. You do not need to heat your coop if it is well insulated and protected from wind, but you do need to keep their water just warm enough for it to not become iced over.
This was a major part of the criteria for choosing these heated chicken waterers for this list. We have tried a couple systems and have ranked them below for you. You will want to think about what works well for your own coop as well when looking at these options below.
So if you like your current watering system for your chickens, and it will translate to winter well, then I would suggest one of the bases below. If you don’t think it will work, then consider one of the integrated systems that you can use safely through the cold months.
COMPARISON CHART
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1. Premier Heated Poultry Waterer – 3 Gallon
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2. Farm Innovators HB-60P Heated 2 Gallon Poultry Drinker
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3. Farm Innovators Model HP-125 Heated Base For Metal Poultry Founts, 125-Watt
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4. Farm Innovators Model HPF-100 All Season Heated Plastic Poultry Fountain – 3 Gallon
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5. Dreyoo Poultry Waterer Drinker Heated Base
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Specification
| Watt | 125 watts |
| Water storage | 3 Gallons |
| Can accommodate # of chicken up to | 35 Chickens |
| Product Dimensions | 14 x 13 inches |
| Weight | 3 lbs |
Features
- 3 Gallon Capacity
- Secure Lid that can be used for hanging
- Easy to fill design
- No-Roost Lid design
- No Drip Nipples
- Detachable 16 Ft grounded electrical cord
- Built in thermostat turns the heating element on at 40 degrees fahrenheit and off at 60 degrees fahrenheit.
Bright-colored and easy to maintain system with nipples that will ensure clean water throughout the cold days. It also has the option to be detachable and used without the electricity as well.
There is a built-in thermostat for this one to help maintain the proper temperature and know when to power itself on and off. This one also is easy to fill with a No-Roost rooftop. There is a reason this one is our top pick. No stone has been unturned with this heated chicken waterer.
WHAT WE LIKE
There is a lot to love about this. It is easy to fill. The capacity of water is wonderful, so you don’t have to fill extremely often, depending on your flock size. Not to mention, it will stay mostly clean with the no-roost roof. Plus, this system can last through all the seasons if you detach the cord and use in the summer.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
Truly, I don’t see much issue here on this one. There is a reason this one is the top pick.
PROS
- No Drip Nipples
- Great heating system that is smart
- No-roost top
- Easy to fill and Gravity fed.
- Proper Safety is observed in the design
- Thermostatically controlled to know when to operate
- Protection from debri and moisture.
CONS
- none
Specification
| Watt | 60 watts |
| Water storage | 2 Gallons |
| Can accommodate # of chicken up to | 15 chickens |
| Product Dimensions | 12 x 12 x 11 inches |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs |
Features
- Provides chickens with easy access to clean water year-round
- Side mounted nipples that are drip and freeze free to accommodate 15 chickens.
- Can be hung or placed on the ground
- 60 watt heater is thermostatically controlled to work automatically
- Top removes for easy filling from above.
This product has so much to love about it. The no-roost design keeps the product clean and the nipples ensure that the water stays clean. All essential for winter watering. The heating system is safe and effective as well.
WHAT WE LIKE
Lots to love about this product. The nipples are wonderful for keeping the water container clean and the water healthy for the chickens. The no-roost design is also nice to keep down maintenance needs. This is a very versatile design as well, so it works for a lot of chicken owners.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
The size of the container is rather small. Even if it accommodates 15 chickens it will be in constant need of being filled, which is hard work in the cold, so the larger the capacity the less filling the container will need through the cold months.
PROS
- Easy to fill
- Nipples keep water clean
- Easy to maintain
- Proper wattage for safety
- No-Roost design
CONS
- Small amount of water it can hold which means needing to be refilled often.
Specification
| Watt | 125 watts |
| Water storage | N/A |
| Can accommodate # of chicken up to | N/A |
| Product Dimensions | 17 x 16.5 x 4.25 inches |
| Weight | 3.65 lbs |
Features
- 125 watts of power
- Can be used in Coops, Runs, and Pens
- Will prevent water from freezing down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit
- Designed for a Metal Watering system
- Thermostatically controlled and will only operate when temps go below 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Protection on the bottom to keep debri and water away from heating coils.
This is the top-heated base for keeping your chicken water warm through the winter. You will want to use it specifically with a metal system though because of how it will transfer heat in the system.
The best part of that is that the metal waterer can work well throughout any time of year, and then just add the base for winter. Quite simple if you decide that is a good system for you. It is worth potentially trying it with a plastic waterer as well.
WHAT WE LIKE
This is a really classic and simple way to take an existing watering system and prep it for winter without a ton of work. The main thing is that it keeps things safe and healthy for the chickens in a simple way.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
The electric wire many times will be on the ground in the coop which could be hazardous potentially if the chickens decide to peck at it or scratch. Also, the fact it states it works best with metal waterers is not ideal. Though it may be worth the try to see if it works with plastic as well.
PROS
- Simple way to upgrade a working system
- Proper Safety is observed in the design
- Thermostatically controlled to know when to operate
- Protection from debri and moisture.
CONS
- The ability to be used more universally
Specification
| Watt | 100 watts |
| Water storage | 3 Gallons |
| Can accommodate # of chicken up to | N/A |
| Product Dimensions | 12 x 16 x 12 inches |
| Weight | 2.25 lbs |
Features
- 100 watts of power
- 3 Gallon Capacity
- Thermostatically controlled to work only when it is needed.
- Keeps water from Freezing down to 0 Degrees Fahrenheit
A great system to be considered. This heated chicken waterer is a trough style gravity fed system that heats throughout to keep your chickens with fresh water throughout the winter months.
It is one of the unique waterers in that it keeps the water from freezing down to 0 Degrees. You can also use this system year round.
WHAT WE LIKE
Having the ability to have a heater that keeps water warm down to 0 degrees is great for very cold climates. It for sure works well to do this.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
Plenty of things. This one is hard to fill, which is not ideal in the winter. You take the bottom off to fill and then place the bottom back on to flip it over.
A few times we even had the bottom slip in the process and the coop floor covered in water in the cold. This is a tricky design for filling, but if you aren’t filling often because you have a small flock, which will rarely be an issue.
PROS
- Heating system is very good compared to the others
- The size is wonderful for less filling
CONS
- Filled from the bottom
- Cord is only 2 feet so you will need an extension cord in most cases
- Chickens are able to roost which means the water will be much dirtier.
Specification
| Color | Black, Grey |
| Material | Metal |
| Brand | Dreyoo |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Target Species | Bird |
Features
- Automatic chicken water heater
- Heavy duty and thermostatic
- Plug and play
- Safe for chicken
The automatic chicken water heater is a heavy-duty and thermostatic device that ensures maximum usage and security. It operates only when necessary to prevent freezing water, offering more care for poultry. Made of galvanized steel and high-density aluminum, it includes an additional thermostat for safety. The heated base has a safe power cord and requires no spare parts.
The waterer is easy to use and provides gentle heat water for small animals without scalding their mouths. It’s suitable for curious chicks, ducks, or small birds kept in barns, coops, or outdoors. The low wattage heating base is great for outdoor coops during freezing winter temperatures. The automatic chicken water heater provides clean, warm water to small animals regardless of the weather.
WHAT WE LIKE
The automatic water heater base for chickens is a useful device for keeping poultry’s water from freezing during cold weather. It features constant temperature control and is easy to use by simply plugging it into a power source.
It has a voltage of 120V, max power of 125 watts, frequency of 60Hz, and a UL certified AC plug. Its dimension is 14.6 x 1.5 inches (diameter x height), and it does not require any spare parts replacement.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
The versatility isn’t there. It also gets very hot so it is wonderful if you can keep it away from your bedding and on a non-flammable surface but not ideal for large containers or for plastic.
PROS
- Thermostatically controlled to prevent freezing water and offer more care for poultry
- Made of galvanized steel and high-density aluminum for maximum usage and security
- Additional thermostat that ensures safety by disconnecting power supply when temperature exceeds 77 degrees Fahrenheit
CONS
- Larger than expected, takes up more space than a standard watering system
- Notice indicates not for use around water and only for indoor use, limiting its use in outdoor coops
- Not fully sealed, reducing its durability and lifespan if used outside
- The only reason for purchase was the ground plug, but notice makes it unsuitable for use in damp environments.
Things To Consider Before Buying
When choosing a waterer for the winter, you really have two options. You can use one that is fully integrated into the water system, or you can add a base to your existing system that more or less just keeps the water from freezing.
Both are effective and work great. It all just depends on what you are looking for. You are also looking for ease of use.
FAQs
Do you need a heated waterer for chickens?
While chickens can handle a bit of chill, it’s essential to keep their water from completely freezing over. Luckily, investing in a heated waterer can solve this problem and ensure that your chickens are hydrated all day long.
Don’t live in an area with an extreme cold? No worries! A regular waterer should do the trick. Just remember to clean it regularly to keep harmful bacteria at bay. Your chickens will thank you!
How often do you need to change chicken water?
Keep your chickens healthy and happy with fresh, clean water. While it’s recommended to change their water daily, you may need to do it more frequently if it becomes contaminated. Chickens can be messy drinkers, adding dirt, feathers, and droppings to their water.
Warm weather can also encourage bacteria growth, making it even more important to keep their water fresh. Stay on top of their water needs by cleaning and refilling daily and checking throughout the day for any signs of low levels or dirtiness.
Do chickens prefer warm or cold water?
To keep chickens happy and healthy, it’s important to provide them with cool drinking water. Overly warm water can turn them off, and frozen water can be a hazard. So, when heating water for your chickens, only warm it enough to prevent freezing, but not so much that it becomes lukewarm.
This keeps your chickens comfortable and hydrated. Furthermore, keeping a good supply of fresh water ensures that they stay healthy and productive, as water aids in digestion and helps regulate their body temperatures.
Conclusion
Without a doubt, the best of all these options is the Premier-Heated Poultry waterer. This is the best heated chicken waterer. There is so much to love about it and very little to complain about.
For instance, you can invest in this system and use it through the entire year, which is rare to say about a heated system. Being able to detach a chord makes it usable in many places.
The top filling option makes it easy to fill up and then carry back, even in the heavy winter snow. Without a doubt, if you are looking for a heating system for your chickens’ water this winter, this is the best one.
More Great posts about Chickens:
- Best Food for Chickens
- Best Chicken Waterers
- How to Build the Best Coop
- Everything You Need to Know about Backyard Chickens
- DIY Chicken Waterer
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