Winter and Summer Watering system w/ waterer nipples and heater.

Date sort Score sort
400

I winterized the coop today and finally took a couple of photos. This is the heater and pump inside of the 20 gallon tank. You can also see the low level float switch installed to the left in the photo.
 
the43k said:
working out with no freezing issues….
Click to expand...
Thanks for this thread and video! This is very helpful. I am going to try this with our system. Did you ever have any freezing or broken pipe issues? Do you still only use the one heater? If I have read things right, your water capacity on the winter set up is 20 gallons?
 
I have now gone through 2 winters. It has been great not having to tote water every day. The water lasts about a month. I have my outside water spigots turned off for the winter. To re-fill, I place 5 gallon containers of water on my truck bed and back up to the coop. This is easier than carrying it through the snow and ice. I gave away my ducks to a co-worker so I only have chickens now. On cold days when it is below 20 degrees, the water still remains fluid and flowing through the system but the nipples may freeze. I keep the automatic coop door closed to stop the drafts and everything remains thawed out. When it got near 0 degrees, I had to mount a heat lamp near the nipple pipe and that kept the nipples flowing. Another advantage I have found, the water system is shielded from light in warm weather, I have no algae problems. I don't have to add anything to the water such as chlorine, only pure well water.
 
I still use my 5-gallon bucket with a birdbath heater however I did make two changes due to the extreme cold I have in upstate NY. Temperatures drop to -10 at times.


1. I swapped the birdbath heater from 50watts to 75watts. I found that the 50watts unit did freeze when the temperature dropped below -5.

2. I replaced the chicken nipples that are installed under a hanging bucket to horizontal nipples so that i no longer have to hang the bucket. Filling up the bucket is so much eaiser not having to hang it!


I keep this water bucket outside and not in the coop but it is protected against wind from 3 sides. I was really concerned that the nipples would freeze but to my suprise and RELIEF they never did. I really love the horizontal nipples! So much easier to fill and deal with not having to hang a heavy bucket with water. Or having to replace that bucket due to the handle ripping through the plastic from hanging the weight of water.
 
400


I just built a system out of a 32 gal trash can the I got for $9 at Walmart. Added 6 nipples on short pvc pipe. The drop in heater keeps the water warm in the pvc since the distance of the nipple is close to the heat source.
 

Similar threads

Lumikko
    • Like
Looking for gutter system pictures
Replies
1
Views
188
cavemanrich
cavemanrich
ShotgunDog
    • Like
Middle Georgia Winter Preparation
2
Replies
12
Views
2K
enrgizerbunny
enrgizerbunny
K
Duck coop winter in wisconsin
Replies
3
Views
722
Penpal
P
N
New coop, dirt floor in NY?
Replies
8
Views
693
Sequoia Raven Bird Farms
Sequoia Raven Bird Farms
chicChickChick
    • Like
The chicken nipples are frozen! Watering quandry
Replies
9
Views
722
Nodakj
Nodakj

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom