10 Best Chicken Waterers for Backyard Chickens [2021 Reviews]

In America, around 2 trillion gallons of water is wasted every year. This results in $1.5 billion wasted annually. The last thing you want is to pay more than you need simply because of your chickens’ waterer. One way that you can save money is by selecting an automatic chicken waterer.

Automatic chicken waterers are designed so that your chickens can have constant access to water without costing you a fortune. Of course, it can be difficult to know which chicken waterers are worth the money. The best automatic chicken waterer is effective, affordable, and long lasting.

After doing a lot of research, we have found the 10 best chicken waterers for backyard chickens today. These waterers can easily be placed in your yard so that your chickens have constant access to water. In this article, we provide reviews for each one of these waterers so you can select the one that is right for you.

Let’s get started.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

The 10 Best Chicken Waterers – Reviews 2021

1. OverEZ Automatic Chicken Waterer

The OverEZ Automatic Chicken Waterer is the perfect automatic chicken waterer for backyard chickens. It has the ability to hold up to 12 gallons of water, meaning you won’t have to change out their water for at least a month. Plus, you can clean it out and refill it on the ground, meaning you don’t have to worry about putting too much muscle into the contraption.

We particularly like how this automatic chicken waterer is made from UV-protected and BPA-free plastic. This makes the waterer much safer and more durable, allowing it to last long time even outdoors. It is easy to clean as well, further allowing you to get your money’s worth from this product.

The last reason that we love this chicken waterer is that it comes with a non-drip design and a no-fill design. This design ensures that the chickens don’t accidentally spilled the water everywhere, wasting your precious dollar and resources.

---

2. RentACoop 5 Gallon Chicken Waterer

Water Capacity:	5 gallons
Number of Dispensers:	4
Material:	BPA-free plastic
Other features:	No roost cone

If you are looking for a pretty basic but effective automatic waterer, the RentACoop 5 Gallon Chicken Waterer maybe for you. This 5 gallon bucket can provide around 10 days worth of water for four hens. It even comes with four dispensers to ensure multiple chickens have access to water anytime they want.

Something unique about this option is that it requires no setup. Simply rinse it out and fill it up. This makes it a great option if you want a no hassle automatic waterer. It even comes with a no roost cone, making it easier and more hassle free in terms of cleaning. Like our favorite pick, this one is also made from food-grade and BPA-free plastic, making it safe to use for your chickens.

One thing you might not like about this waterer is that it is a bit of an eyesore. This might not be an issue if your chickens are placed in a yard that is rustic looking, but it can be a bit of an eyesore if you want a much more natural appearing backyard coop.

Pros

• 4 water dispensers included
• Shipped setup for easy use
• Waters chickens for multiple days

Cons

• A bit of an eyesore
• Not made from UV-resistant plastic

---

3. Royal Rooster Twin Cup Drinker And Feeder Set

Water Capacity:	1 gallon each
Number of Dispensers:	1 each
Material:	UV-protected and BPA-free plastic
Other features:	Twin feeder

The Royal Rooster Twin Cup Drinker And Feeder Set is a great choice if you want a waterer that comes with an automatic feeder too. This automatic waterer has a one gallon capacity and waste free design. It even comes with two water dispensers, making it suitable for more than one chicken at a time.

Both automatic dispensers are white with a long tube. This makes them much easier to blend into the background. Plus, the material is UV-resistant and BPA-free. This makes the material really safe and effective to use for your chickens.

One thing to know before buying this product is that it is very expensive. Especially considering the fact that the dispenser is much smaller than other options, you might want to select something more affordable with a larger capacity.

Pros

• Comes with a twin automatic feeder
• Has an attractive appearance
• Made from safe materials

Cons

• Very expensive
• Has a small holding capacity

---

4. Rural365 Automatic Chicken Waterer System

Water Capacity:	1 liter
Number of Dispensers:	1
Material:	UV-protected and BPA-free plastic
Other features:	Designed for wire cage easy installation

The Rural365 Automatic Chicken Waterer System is an efficient and basic automatic chicken waterer. It has a one liter capacity and a single poultry watering cup. This makes it easy for the chickens to gain access to their water without spilling it everywhere. It is even drip free enough that you can use it indoors, not that you would want to.

The cup itself is really inventive. It comes with a yellow trigger, which entices the chickens to peck at it. This is how they learn to get their water from this feeder. This takes away the issue of trying to teach your chickens where to go for their water.

The water itself is made from UV-resistant and BPA-free plastic. It is also designed to mount to wire cage with ease. This is a really basic design that is great for people not wanting a lot of fuss for their backyard chickens.

Pros

• Very affordable
• Provides easy access to water
• Yellow trigger entices chickens to peck at it

Cons

• Basic design is not very inventive or special

---

5. Harris Farms 1000293 Galvanized Hanging Poultry Feeder

Water Capacity:	8 gallons
Number of Dispensers:	Open lip all the way around
Material:	Heavy-duty metal
Other features:	Suitable for feed too

The Harris Farms 1000293 Galvanized Hanging Poultry Feeder, as the name suggests, is made specifically for feed, but you can use it as an automatic waterer too. Many users like using this automatic feeder as a waterer because of its attractive design. Made from metal, it is much more attractive than the other plastic options on this list.

The metal is more than just attractive, though. It makes the waterer highly durable too. Its steel is resistant to rust and will withstand the chickens pecking. This makes it a great option for an attractive yet long-lasting automatic feeder or waterer.

One drawback of this option is that it doesn’t come with individual nipples for the dispenser, meaning the chickens can more easily waste the water. The top is not covered either, which can lead to compromised water if it sits for too long.

Pros

• Very pretty
• Durable materials
• Can double as an automatic feeder or waterer

Cons

• Easier for the chickens to waste the water
• Open lid can lead to contaminated water

---

6. RentACoop Automatic Chicken Water Nipple Cup Waterer Kit

Water Capacity:	N/A
Number of Dispensers:	2, 4, or 6
Material:	Heavy-duty plastic
Other features:	Suitable for any water bucket

The RentACoop Automatic Chicken Water Nipple Cup Waterer Kit is a great option if you don’t want to buy a whole new bucket but simply need some sort of dispenser to connect to your current watering system. You can select between a pack of 2, 4, or 6, allowing all members of your flock to have access to the water.

Simply create holes above the base of the bucket. Then, install the nipple cups according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This will provide the chickens automated water using the bucket you currently have.

Obviously, the big downside of this option is that it requires setup and installation. You will need a ⅜-inch drill bit in order to create the holes. This isn’t a huge drawback, but it can be a problem if you don’t want to install the automated feeder yourself.

Pros

• Suitable for any bucket
• Three size options
• Affordable price

Cons

• Requires handiwork for installation

---

7. letsFix Chicken Waterer Cups with Tee

Water Capacity:	N/A
Number of Dispensers:	10
Material:	Heavy-duty plastic
Other features:	Suitable for any water bucket

The letsFix Chicken Waterer Cups with Tee is really similar to our last recommendation. You connect the kit to a bucket or hose using a PVC pipe. The kit comes with 10 cups, meaning even large backyard chicken flocks will have access to water.

What makes this option different from the last one is that you do not need a drill. It is specifically designed to be used with pipes to avoid leakage and difficult installation. You will need PVC glue to connect the fittings properly, but glue is much easier to use than a drill.

This isn’t necessarily our favorite option because it isn’t the most durable and it can be more difficult to use, even though setup is much easier.

Pros

• Suitable for any bucket
• No drilling required
• Affordable price

Cons

• Must use glue and PVC for connection
• Not as durable as other options on this list

---

8. Automatic Chicken Water Nipple Drinker Feeders

Water Capacity:	N/A
Number of Dispensers:	25
Material:	Heavy-duty plastic and stainless steel
Other features:	Suitable for any water bucket, hose, etc.

The Automatic Chicken Water Nipple Drinker Feeders screw into pipes, buckets, and other water sources for a convenient and automatic chicken waterer. You can even use them for more than just chickens. They are great for geese, broilers, ducks, and game birds too.

Because of the screw in design, this is the easiest to install. Plus, it comes with 25 nipples or dispensers, ensuring that any chicken in the flock has constant access to water. The nipples even have 360 degree turn, ensuring chickens can get at it from any side.

This may be a more difficult option for chickens to get the hang of because it is not colored in a way to attract the chickens. Plus, it lays down in a much more unique way.

Pros

• Screw on design makes for easy installation
• Suitable for many water sources
• Affordable price

Cons

• May take chickens a while to get the hang of

---

9. Backyard Barnyard 2 Pack Automatic Poultry Waterer Cup Drinker

Water Capacity:	N/A
Number of Dispensers:	2
Material:	Heavy-duty plastic
Other features:	Suitable for any water bucket, hose, etc.

If your backyard flock is a bit on the small side, there’s no need for a super heavy-duty bucket or dozens of feeders. The Backyard Barnyard 2 Pack Automatic Poultry Waterer Cup Drinker may be a great alternative because there are only two per pack, making them perfect for the small flock.

You can easily attach it to buckets or PVC watering systems. You do not need to drill holes or do anything else. This makes installation really easy. Plus, this is really affordable, meaning you don’t have to have a huge price set aside for this option.

The price does come with drawbacks, though. Most notably, it isn’t the most durable option on the market, but it will stand up against your chickens for a pretty good length of time. It is not suitable for large flocks either.

Pros

• Perfect for small, backyard flocks
• Does not require any installation parts or skills
• Affordable price

Cons

• Not as durable as some options on this list
• Not suitable for large flocks

---

10. BOEN 15 Pack Horizontal Chicken Waterer

Water Capacity:	N/A
Number of Dispensers:	15
Material:	Heavy-duty plastic
Other features:	Suitable for any water bucket

The last option on our list is the BOEN 15 Pack Horizontal Chicken Waterer. Water comes in the form of 15 side Mount water nipples. By drilling a hole in the side of a container, you can easily create an automatic and drip free watering experience for your chickens. Not only does the drip free experience save you money, but the pack is affordable in and of itself.

Like the other drill option on our list, the biggest drawback is that it requires a bit more effort for installation. You will need to drill a hole in the side of a container using a 5/16 inch or 11/32-inch drill bit. This isn’t very difficult, but it may be annoying for someone who doesn’t have the parts already.

Pros

• 15 nipples per pack
• Affordable price

Cons

• Requires drilling for installation

---

Buyer’s Guide

Even if you have a list of the best automatic chicken waterers in front of you, it can be difficult to know which option you should select for your flock specifically. In this buyer’s guide, we are going to help you determine which sort of automatic chicken waterer you should select for your backyard coop.

Factors To Consider When Buying an Automatic Chicken Waterer

When selecting an automatic chicken waterer for your backyard flock, it’s important to keep four factors in mind: design, materials, float, and water capacity. These four factors will determine whether or not the chicken waterer meets your needs and expectations. Let’s take a look at each one of these factors in more detail.

• Design: Automatic chicken waterers can either come in the form of nipples to attach to buckets/PVC watering systems or be a premade option. Select whichever design is best for you. If you don’t want to handle any installation issues, select a premade option.
• Materials: Because your backyard chickens are exposed to a number of elements, make sure that the chicken waterer can withstand the elements too. Select highly durable plastic that is food-grade and ideally UV-resistant. Metal is also a great choice if you want something a bit more attractive.
• Float: The point of an automatic water is to provide constant water for your chickens without wasting any money or resources. Check the float mechanism to see how the water pressure is controlled. Read reviews to ensure the float mechanism actually works.
• Water Capacity: Finally, the last thing you may want to consider is water capacity. This factor will not apply to individual nipples, but you should consider it if you go for a premade option. The bigger the water capacity, the less frequently you will have to fill it up.

What Makes a Good Automatic Chicken Waterer?

A good automatic chicken waterer is one that is durable, easy for chickens to use, and does not waste water. It is really difficult to find an automatic chicken waterer that meets all three standards.

As we mentioned above, two factors you need to consider are the materials and the float mechanism. Considering these two factors will ensure that the automatic waterer is durable and does not waste precious resources.

Something we have not covered yet is ease of use for the chickens. Some watering systems are not intuitive for chickens, meaning you either have to demonstrate how to use it or lure them to it. For the best result, opt for a feeder that is designed to entice chickens to drink from it.

Conclusion

Automatic chicken waterers are a great way to provide your chickens constant access to water without wasting any money or resources. Of our reviews, our favorite automatic chicken waterer is the OverEZ Automatic Chicken Waterer because it is affordable yet provides ample water capacity and saves water in the process.

Our runner up favorites are the RentACoop 5 Gallon Chicken Waterer and the Royal Rooster Twin Cup Drinker And Feeder Set. Each of these options are effective and save water too. Whether you select one of these waterers or not, remember to keep our buyer’s guide factors in mind for the perfect pick!

Nicole is the proud mom of Baby, a Burmese cat and Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts’ knowledge with pet lovers across the globe.

Related