Hog Waterers: Choosing the Right Waterer for Your Hogs

Reliable access to clean water is one of the most important parts of raising healthy hogs. The right hog waterer makes it easier to keep water available throughout the day while giving you a practical way to fill, inspect, clean, and maintain the watering system.

Barn World carries hog waterers and related watering equipment for different sizes of hog operations. The selection includes hog drinkers, an 80-gallon waterer, automatic water valves, floats, and water-tank heaters.

 

80 gallon hog waterer for pigs and hogs

 

Why the Right Hog Waterer Matters

Hogs need regular access to water, but keeping a pen supplied is not always as simple as putting out a trough and filling it when it gets low. The size of the group, location of the waterer, water supply, and weather all affect what type of equipment makes sense.

A good watering setup should make it easy for hogs to reach the water and easy for you to keep the equipment filled and clean. For larger groups, capacity and access become especially important because a waterer may need to serve many animals at the same time.

Hog Waterers for Small and Large Groups

The number of hogs using a waterer is one of the first things to consider. A small group may be adequately served by a compact drinker, while a larger group can benefit from a higher-capacity waterer with drinking access on more than one side.

Think about how many animals will use the waterer at the same time rather than simply choosing a waterer based on its gallon capacity. A larger tank can hold more water, but the design of the drinking area also determines how easily multiple hogs can use it.

Consideration Why It Matters
Number of hogs Determines how much water and drinking access are needed
Water capacity Affects how often the waterer needs to be refilled
Drinking access Helps multiple hogs reach the water
Location Affects filling, cleaning, drainage, and access
Weather May require protection from freezing temperatures

Large-Capacity Hog Waterers

When a waterer serves a larger group, having enough capacity can reduce how frequently the tank needs to be filled. Barn World offers an 80-gallon hog waterer along with other hog watering equipment.

The 80-gallon waterer has a 35-inch diameter and two separate drinking areas. Each drinking area is 18 inches wide and 17 inches tall, with a 6-inch trough lip. Each side also has its own drain plug for cleaning and flushing.

hog waterer with the lid off

 

The removable lid provides access for manual filling, while an automatic water valve can be added when the waterer is connected to a water supply. The tank also has a visual capacity marking so you can check the water level without opening it.

Two-Sided Hog Waterers

A waterer with drinking areas on both sides can give hogs access from opposite directions. This can be useful in a pen where animals approach the waterer from different areas.

A two-sided design can also work along a fence line. In the right setup, animals in two adjacent pens can access opposite sides of the same waterer. That can make the waterer more useful without requiring a separate tank for each pen.

The low drinking height of the 80-gallon waterer also allows smaller pigs to reach the water while providing enough space for larger hogs.

hog waterer in a pen


Poly Hog Waterers

Polyethylene is commonly used for livestock watering equipment because it does not rust or corrode. The Barn World 80-gallon hog waterer is made from non-porous polyethylene, and the product information notes that its poly construction is not affected by confinement pen acids.

The separate drinking areas have protected lips, and the float mechanism is enclosed so the animals cannot easily interfere with it. The tank's translucent side also allows the water level to be viewed from outside.

Where Should You Put a Hog Waterer?

Placement can make a surprising difference in how easy a waterer is to use and maintain.

Choose a location where:

  • Hogs can reach the water easily.
  • You can get a hose or water supply to the tank.
  • The area can be cleaned and maintained without difficulty.
  • The waterer is positioned securely enough for the animals using it.
  • There is adequate room around the waterer for the size of the group.
  • Water spills will not create unnecessary problems in the pen.

For fence-line installations, check both sides of the fence before placing the waterer. You want adequate access for the hogs as well as enough room for you to fill and service the equipment.

Keeping Water Available in Cold Weather

Freezing temperatures create a different challenge for outdoor hog watering. If water freezes, the animals may not have access to the water they need, and frozen equipment can also be difficult to service.

Barn World offers a drain hole heater for water tanks that can be used with applicable water tanks. The 80-gallon hog waterer can also be configured with a tank heater option designed to help prevent freezing.

Cold-weather planning should also include the water supply line. Keeping the tank from freezing does not solve a problem if the water cannot reach the waterer.

Hog Waterer Parts and Replacement Components

You do not always need to replace an entire waterer when a component wears out or needs attention. Barn World stocks related hog waterer parts, including automatic water valves, hog waterer float valves, and hog drinker floats.

The automatic water valve is designed for enclosed livestock water tanks such as the 80-gallon hog waterer. A replacement float valve is also available specifically for the 80-gallon hog waterer.

When replacing a component, make sure you match the part to the specific waterer. For example, Barn World notes that the hog drinker float is for the side-wall hog drinker and does not fit the 80-gallon hog waterer.

Hog Waterers for Round Poly Stock Tanks

Not every operation needs a dedicated enclosed waterer. Another option is a poly stock tank fitted with a hog drinker.

Barn World carries hog drinkers designed to fit into round-end poly stock tanks. The drinker creates a dedicated drinking opening in the side of the tank while allowing the stock tank to provide the water capacity.

This type of setup can make sense when you already use poly stock tanks or want to choose the tank capacity separately from the drinking hardware.

Hog Waterers and Hog Feeders

Watering and feeding are closely connected parts of a livestock setup, but they solve different problems. A waterer needs to provide convenient access to clean water, while a feeder needs to deliver feed in a way that works for the size and number of hogs.

If you are setting up a new pen or updating an existing one, consider both pieces of equipment at the same time. Barn World also carries hog feeders in different sizes and designs, including gravity and on-demand models.

hog feeder outside in a pen

What to Check Before Buying a Hog Waterer

Before choosing a waterer, take a few measurements and consider how the equipment will be used.

  • Count the hogs: Know how many animals will share the waterer.
  • Measure the available space: Make sure the waterer will fit without restricting movement around the pen.
  • Check the water supply: Determine whether the waterer will be filled manually or connected to a water line.
  • Consider access: Think about how the hogs will approach the waterer and how you will service it.
  • Plan for winter: Outdoor installations in freezing climates may need additional equipment.
  • Think about cleaning: Choose a setup that allows you to inspect and clean the drinking areas regularly.

Choosing a Hog Waterer for Your Operation

The right hog waterer depends on more than the capacity of the tank. Your group size, pen layout, water supply, filling method, and local weather all play a part in choosing the right setup.

Barn World can help you compare hog waterers and related components based on your particular setup. If you are not sure which waterer will work for your operation, tell us how many hogs you have, their approximate size, where the waterer will be located, and whether you have a permanent water supply. We can help you narrow down the options and determine what additional equipment may be needed.

Hog Waterer FAQs

Is an 80-gallon hog waterer big enough for my herd?

That depends on the number and size of the hogs using it, how much water they consume, and how often the tank can be refilled. The 80-gallon model provides two drinking areas and can be manually filled or connected to an automatic water valve.

Can the 80-gallon hog waterer be filled automatically?

Yes. An automatic water valve is available for the 80-gallon waterer and can maintain the water level when connected to a suitable water supply.

How do you clean an 80-gallon hog waterer?

The waterer has a drain plug beneath each separate drinking area. These allow the drinking areas to be drained, flushed, and cleaned without having to move the entire waterer.

Can smaller pigs use the 80-gallon waterer?

Yes. The waterer has a 6-inch trough lip, and Barn World specifically describes the drinking areas as accessible to both small pigs and larger hogs.

Can I use a hog drinker with a poly stock tank?

Yes. Barn World carries a hog drinker designed to fit into its round-end poly stock tanks. This provides a dedicated drinking opening while allowing the stock tank to supply the water capacity.

Which replacement float valve fits the 80-gallon hog waterer?

Barn World offers a specific hog waterer float valve for the 80-gallon hog waterer. It is a different part from the float used with the side-wall hog drinker.

hog waterer float valve

How can I keep my hog waterer from freezing?

For cold-weather installations, a water-tank heater can help prevent the water from freezing. Barn World offers a drain-hole heater and heater options for the 80-gallon hog waterer. The water supply line should also be protected from freezing.

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