Waterer specs
Livestock Waterer Types Explained
Automatic waterers sorted by type, how each one keeps water open in winter, and how many head each serves.
Side by side
Livestock Waterer Types: Every Model Sorted
19 livestock waterers on this site. The bar shows where each group sits between the lowest and highest price.
Single drinker
$87.99 to $1,654.99
One drinking spot. Small groups, stalls and pens.
- Little Giant DuraMate 4 Gallon Waterer$87.99
- Behlen Country Poly Horse Stall Waterer$279.99
- Miraco Lil Spring Single Sided$389.99
- Ritchie Thrifty King Single Hole$727.99
- Ritchie WaterMaster 54$1,104.99
- Ritchie WaterMaster 800$1,115.99
- +1 more
Multi-drinker
$369.99 to $1,668.99
Two to six drinking spots for bigger groups.
- Miraco Lil Spring Double Sided$369.99
- Miraco Lil Spring Double Sided Bolt-Down$579.99
- Behlen Country 4-Hole Cattle Waterer$899.99
- Ritchie Thrifty King Four Hole$1,216.99
- Ritchie Thrifty King Six Hole$1,668.99
Energy-free
$999.99 to $1,153.99
No electricity. Relies on insulation and ground heat.
- Behlen Country Super 2-Hole Energy-Free$999.99
- Century 4-Hole Energy-Free Waterer$1,099.99
- Miraco MiraFount 3354-S$1,153.99
Heated or electric
$549.99 to $2,925.99
Heater keeps water open in hard freezes. Needs power.
- Behlen Country Calf, Sheep and Goat Waterer$549.99
- Ritchie EcoFount 1$661.99
- Ritchie CattleMaster 10T$2,925.99
Steel trough
$2,135.99
Large open trough for big herds.
- Ritchie CattleMaster 1440$2,135.99
Prices last checked September 2026. Freight is extra unless noted.
How to choose
How to Choose: Livestock Waterer Types
Why it matters
Livestock Waterer Types: Why It Matters
Winter
In freezing weather the water has to stay open. That decides between energy-free and heated.
Herd size
Drinking spots and refill rate decide how many head a waterer serves.
Power at the site
Heated waterers need electricity run to them.
The details
Livestock Waterer Types: The Details
An automatic waterer refills itself from a water line through a float valve, so stock always have fresh water without hauling it.
The big difference between types is winter. Energy-free waterers use insulation and warmth from the ground. Heated waterers run an electric heater. Poly and steel models differ in durability and price.
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Questions
Livestock Waterer Types: Questions
How do energy-free waterers work?
They use insulation, a covered drinking spot and heat from the ground below to keep water open. Regular drinking brings in fresh, warmer water.
Do energy-free waterers freeze?
In hard cold they can. Many makers list a minimum number of head so water turns over often enough.
How many cows can one waterer serve?
It depends on drinking spots and refill rate. Makers list a head count for each model.
Does an automatic waterer need a water line?
Yes. It connects to a pressurized line, which should run below the frost line in cold climates.
Poly or steel waterer?
Poly resists rust and costs less. Steel stands up to rough cattle and bulls.
How much does an automatic waterer cost?
On this site from under $100 for small poly units to about $2,900 for heated steel troughs.
Do heated waterers use a lot of power?
It depends on the heater and the cold. Insulated models use less. Check the maker’s wattage.
How often should I clean a waterer?
Check it daily and clean it regularly. Makers design many units with drains for easier cleaning.
Which livestock waterers are listed as “Single drinker”?
Little Giant DuraMate 4 Gallon Waterer ($87.99). Behlen Country Poly Horse Stall Waterer ($279.99). Miraco Lil Spring Single Sided ($389.99). Ritchie Thrifty King Single Hole ($727.99). Ritchie WaterMaster 54 ($1,104.99). Ritchie WaterMaster 800 ($1,115.99). Ritchie WaterMaster 1200 ($1,654.99).
Which livestock waterers are listed as “Multi-drinker”?
Miraco Lil Spring Double Sided ($369.99). Miraco Lil Spring Double Sided Bolt-Down ($579.99). Behlen Country 4-Hole Cattle Waterer ($899.99). Ritchie Thrifty King Four Hole ($1,216.99). Ritchie Thrifty King Six Hole ($1,668.99).
Which livestock waterers are listed as “Energy-free”?
Behlen Country Super 2-Hole Energy-Free ($999.99). Century 4-Hole Energy-Free Waterer ($1,099.99). Miraco MiraFount 3354-S ($1,153.99).
Which livestock waterers are listed as “Heated or electric”?
Behlen Country Calf, Sheep and Goat Waterer ($549.99). Ritchie EcoFount 1 ($661.99). Ritchie CattleMaster 10T ($2,925.99).
Which livestock waterers are listed as “Steel trough”?
Ritchie CattleMaster 1440 ($2,135.99).
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