I have had many chicken waterers in my ownership of chickens. I have had the large 5-gallon with the near impossible to unscrew top to metal ones where you fill them from the top, replace the top, then ‘open’ it to allow the water to flow into the bottom tray.
Brooders may be smaller so a smaller waterer is probably necessary. One thing to keep in mind it to make sure that the waterer is off the floor of the brooder if you are using shavings. Buying one that hangs is a great way to reduce debris and droppings from contaminating the water.
Small Plastic Chick Waterer
Little chicks are easy to start out with a small waterer like https://amzn.to/3hTP7Sh. I use those when I bring the babies home. Partly because it’s small and out of the way as you can see. I don’t have to worry about losing a chick in the waterer. I have used them for Bantams and regular sized chickens. However, I would still add marbles or rocks if I were using these for Quail.
Plastic 3 or 5 gallon Fill Top
Despite the struggles I have a 3 gallon and a 5 gallon model. I find that they are durable and don’t crack easy in the winter. This is the brand I have https://amzn.to/3Wqr4JN.
Metal Fountain Waterer
A metal fountain is one of the best things that I have owned. They come in 2-, 3-, and 5-gallon sizes. This is one in particular that I have owned and loved https://amzn.to/3GcGonM. The five gallons lasts a while, and it makes a great conductor in the winter to keep from freezing when it sits on a heater base https://amzn.to/3hLV0B0. Even the plastic fill top type can sit on a heater base. If you live somewhere that gets freezing temperatures, it is a must have.
Heating the Water
Over the years I have seen many different things people have tried to use to prevent the water from freezing. I live in Middle TN and we do have runs of freezing temperatures. As I type this, it’s -1 degrees Fahrenheit outside. I have my waterer in the coop. That helps with keeping it from freezing. If you have electric or ability to run an outdoor extension cord to the coop you could use the heater base https://amzn.to/3hLV0B0 or even a birdbath heater right into the water https://amzn.to/3VoL1PM. I have also seen where people put in a fish tank heater. That, though, I would not recommend. But if you decide to use it, submerge it into a glass or heavy-duty plastic container and put that in the water. That way if the water runs out in your waterer it will not be exposed as they need to be kept covered in water.
Non-electric Solutions
Some non-electric ideas I have seen and have not been successful in getting to work all the time is adding molasses and floating a bottle of salted water (DO NOT ADD SALT TO THE CHICKEN WATER) in the water. Adding a bubbler or a pond pump to your water can work by keeping it moving so it doesn’t freeze. I have not tried those either.
Conclusion
When all is said and done, you have to think about what works for your zone. In the northern states you are going to need a longer term more permanent solution, which to me is the base heater and a metal fountain. I used that when I lived up north in addition to keeping it inside the coop. We did not heat the coop since we had fully feathered adult birds.
It’s trial and error. Changing water out daily and using rubber pans is a very good solution if you have the time to do that. They work like an ice tray, just twist the pan and the ice will crack and you can easily knock the rest of the ice out without breaking the bowl. I find this solution to be more hands on, but it works the best. Plus, I can monitor the chicken’s health by having my eyes on them every day when it’s cold to identify anyone self-isolating, sneezing, or just looking unhealthy.
Drop your ideas in the comments to help out fellow chicken keepers!