Whether you are getting goats for the first time and looking for a goat waterer for the first time or are an experienced homesteader needing some new options, we’ve got you covered with some goat waterers for your backyard farm.
Below you can see exactly what to consider when choosing a goat waterer for your herd as well as some actual goat waterers and some suggestions for setting up a goat watering system.
Looking for more on raising goats? See more about raising Goats.
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Contents
What to Consider when Choosing a Goat Waterer
Before you select the best goat waterer for your herd, there are a few things to consider that will help you choose the best option for your homestead.
Number of Goats
Consider the number of goats you have and their water consumption needs. Ensure that the waterer has sufficient capacity to provide an ample water supply for your goats, especially during hot weather.
Access to Water
The type of waterer you get depends on where you are putting your goat and waterer. Do you have access to running water at this location? You should also consider the size of your goats when you are considering access. Ensure that the waterer is accessible to goats of all sizes. Adjustable height options can accommodate both kids and adult goats. Goats can be quite playful, so consider a design that minimizes the risk of them knocking over the waterer.
Keeping Water From Freezing
If you live in an area with cold temperatures, choose a waterer that is designed to resist freezing. This may involve insulated options or those with heating elements to prevent water from turning into ice during winter.
Algae and Bacteria
Select a waterer that is easy to clean to prevent the buildup of algae, bacteria, and other contaminants. Goats are sensitive animals, and clean water is essential for their health.
Durability and Material
Choose a waterer made from durable and non-toxic materials. Plastic and stainless steel are common choices. Ensure that the material is resistant to corrosion and can withstand the elements.
Cost and Budget
Determine your budget for a goat waterer. While it’s important to invest in a quality waterer, there are various options available at different price points. Consider the long-term cost-effectiveness of the chosen waterer.
Waste Prevention
Choose a waterer design that minimizes water wastage. Some waterers are designed to capture spillage, preventing unnecessary water loss.
Automation
Many homesteaders are looking for an automatic waterer for goats to minimize their homesteading tasks. There are several different options (see the best below) but keep in mind that automatic waterers should be checked as they can malfunction and cause serious problems.
Best Goat Waterers
Since the best goat waterer depends on many different things, it is hard to choose the best overall waterer. Over the last 12 years we’ve tried many different watering systems. At the moment we are simply using a large bucket with a heating element. We generally keep 2 buckets full as this provides the water and help ensure the goats still have water even in a bucket get’s knocked over.
Large Heated Bucket
This large bucket is a great option if you have up to 5 goats. The heating element is great during the winter and the bucket is durable and lasts for years. We generally find the first thing to go on these buckets is the heater and we end up replacing the buckets every few years. We usually place this bucket right next to a fence and tie the handle to the fence to keep it from tipping over. It is also very easy to clean.
Livestock Tank
This is what we used for ever years. A lifestock tank works well especially for large herds. You can even add a heating element to the tank to keep the water thawed during the winter.
Automatic Goat Waterer
A good option, especially if you have a lot of goat and they are not right next to your house is to put in an automatic goat waterer. This is a small an inexpensive option. One other interesting option we considered is this Drinking Post Waterer. We’ve also seen some good designs for
Hanging Goat Feeder and Waterer
I’ve included this water in this list because it is popular and there are sometimes that this works well for very small herds. We tried hanging feeders and waterers when we first brought our goat home many years ago. What we found is that our goat inevitably knock the food and water out. Our goat would put their feet in these waterers and get it all dirty or they would all try to drink at once and fight over the water.
Goat Watering Systems
It’s worth mentioning that setting up system for watering your goats is also helpful – if you’ve spent any time here on this site, you’ll know I am very big on setting up systems!
The more you simplify watering your goats, the easier it will be to ensure that they have fresh and clean water.
There are a few ways to help simplify watering your goats, here are some general suggestions:
- Work your watering systerm into where you keep your goats. If possible, ensure that there is a water source near your goats or consider running water to the goats – otherwise you will need to haul water to your goat pasture.
- Use a high flow Float to help control waterflow directly into your water trough or use a float valve.
- Keep a brush on hand to make cleaning easy. I like to use a long handled brush an clean the bucket once/week.
- Some people like to use a small chlorine tablet to keep the water clean and the algae down. We prefer just to keep the bucket clean but this is a good option for larger herds.
