Do you want to avoid modern plastic in favor of more natural, healthier materials for your baby chicks? If you’re hoping to source brooder box supplies made of washable, long-lasting, non-toxic glass, let me share my finds as we hunt for an antique chicken waterer to fit on glass mason jars!
The Antique chicken Waterer: An Item Known By Many Names
Chicken waterers were originally called “poultry fountains” or “poultry drinking fountains”. The first ones, dating from the 1700’s, were made of stoneware thrown by local potters. Around the 1870’s glass poultry fountains began to be made which would fit the glass canning jars that were already in production. Many of the glass jar companies, like Atlas, also produced glass poultry waterer bases. (Remember, at this time most American families lived rurally and kept chickens. This was an object in frequent use!)
The Hunt for an Antique Chicken Waterer
For this adventure, I set out to the historic Tomball, Texas square which is dotted with popular antique shops. I only needed to visit two shops in order to collect pictures of 5 antique chicken waterer bases for sale that day. (Your local antique stores should have them, too!)
Glass is the Most Common Material
Stoneware poultry fountain crocks are now collectible items and it is rare to find them at a reasonable price. These one-to-two-hundred year old jugs crack and break easily so they are not ideal for use today. Yet the glass chicken waterers made throughout the early 1900’s are easy to find and still in use because of how durable they are!
Different Designs
The first glass chicken waterers were smooth sided and very simple in design. They fit only the standard mouth jars from the era. As time went on, these popular objects were made more beautiful. Some had fluted sides to give you a better grip, since they were almost always slippery when wet. Others had intricate designs that resembled dishware. These are more rare than the completely smooth designs but harder to clean. You may find one with a patent number on the bottom, which would allow you to look up the patent filing date to help determine the age.
A Rainbow of Rare Glass Colors
Faint pink and kelly green glass chicken waterers are likely to be from the Great Depression era. Literally called depression era glass, you may find these colorful pieces in your local antique shops. The complete set will have a matching colored glass jar but these are rare. Slightly blue tinged glass bases may exist (check Etsy or ebay) but the most common color is clear.
1950’s Bakelite
On your hunt for antique glass chicken waterers, you may stumble across some mid-century bakelite pieces. These plastic-like feeder and watering bases also fit on glass canning jars but had the ability to withstand accidental drops better. Bakelite was popular from the 1920’s onward but most of the chicken keeping pieces will be dated around the 1950’s. Since Bakelite is made entirely from petroleum and coal tar residues, it is not healthier than today’s modern plastic. You can skip these collector pieces if you’re wanting all natural materials.
Antique Glass Chicken Waterers in Use
How do these useful pieces of history perform in the brooder box today? I find the heavy glass bases to be fantastic at preventing the chicks from knocking it over! They are easy to hand wash or run through the dishwasher since nothing sticks to them.
Mix & Match with Old & New
When I first bought my antique chicken waterer base, I was worried I would need to purchase an old jar to fit it. Mine happened to fit the square sided modern, regular-mouth mason brand jars that some spaghetti sauce and bone broth is sold in. There was no need for me to buy an antique mason jar but that certainly is an option if you like the look!
What About Feeders Made of Other Natural Materials?
Antique chicken feeders are a bit harder to find. Why? Because chicks and hens will eat from an open pan! While glass chick feeder bases do exist (Atlas jar company made some), you won’t find as many of them. Farming families in the early 1900’s found it easier to throw scratch grains on the ground and fed any moist mashes in shallow metal or crockery pans. You can mimic this practice today by using ceramic or stainless steel dishes.
Galvanized Feeders & Waterers
During the Great Depression galvanized metal feeders and waterers were in common use because they were unbreakable and less expensive. You may find these crusty, matte gray pieces in antique stores sold as decor. They are not considered any better than the modern galvanized feed items you can purchase from Little Giant, Manna Pro, and Behrens today.
The Benefits of Glass
Glass is non-porous so it cannot trap bacteria. If droppings get in the chick’s water or the water just gets yucky for whatever reason, the clear glass lets you quickly spot it. Plus glass is incredibly easy to clean, which makes brooder clean outs go faster.
Seriously Consider an Antique Chicken Waterer for Natural Chicken Keeping!
I have enjoyed my natural glass waterer base. It’s SO easy to wash and sanitize – it can even be submerged in boiling water if necessary. Hopefully chicks who receive the best non-GMO feed and filtered water from non-toxic dishes have a strong, healthy start in life because we sure do love them!
More Natural Chicken Keeping Articles:
Non-GMO Chicken Scratch Recipe
What to Feed Hens to Get More Eggs Naturally
Homemade Nest Box Herb Recipes
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