Although the red does fade a bit with time, like Joy says the plastic is a superior grade to the cheapo ones, and is more pliable. I will ask the manufacturers about the UV resistance.
The green and white ones I have weren't cheap, but were still from China and do crack after a couple of years. I've bought the very cheap economy yellow and white ones and they are terrible.
I like these bigger 12 litre drinkers because in the summer water can evaporate and the chickens drink more! I like to know they have plenty of water. The legs raise it up 3 inches from the ground so helps stop contamination, and not once since being used has one been tipped over.
also when they have been filled, because of the design, you get very little spillage when you tip them up the right way.
I agree that with the feeder having its rainhat on you can't hang it up,. You could drill a hole in the top for a hook, but the water would seep into the feed anyway. As some of you know, most of our feeders are kept inside, but that is my personal preference. I do not have a rat problem inside the houses, just sometimes outside!
I've just spoken with the manufacturers as they are a BRITISH company 
and they said yes, the red is the most susceptible colour to UV rays, but these ones do have more UV stabilisers in them than other colours. They've been in touch with their head office and they are going to try to send me a copy of the chart, so if they do I can perhaps provide you with more info on that subject.
Thanks Grannie that's useful. I find it difficult to recommend a decent drinker particularly since the cheap ones are simply dreadful and the metal ones I've seen are expensive and more difficult to clean than plastic. Though maybe there are zinc plated ones which are better as Wild Pony's post. I
I do however prefer plastic from the cleaning perspective and ease of seeing when they need filling from outside the run. I found the Green & White BUCKET types the best compromise between ease of cleaning, cost and performance/ durability. They are the best of a bad bunch I've used though I'm far from happy with them as the legs tend to splay and are useless if telescopically extended as they are supposed to be, which is probably why they get tipped over sometimes. There are green and white mushroom shaped ones which are just as dreadful from the brittle perspective as the cheap red ones (problem is they never identify the manufacturer so you can't reference) so you need to be careful what you get.
Maybe I'll try the ones Grannie uses next time I buy one though 12 litres is too much for my needs though the weight will probably mean they aren't tipped over easily.
Looks like there's a gap in the market for a well designed one which doesn't break the bank.
Just another tip on translucent plastic drinkers. it's a good idea to make an opaque polythene sleeve (heavy duty damproof membrane is good) to slip over them which stops algae in the summer and keeps the water cool (white or silver colour is best for this) and in winter gives some protection from freezing (black is best to absorb what heat there is in the sun). Tape it together with duct tape.
Regards
HF
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June 25, 2008, 09:27