All 'Bout Chickens Horizontal Waterer Question

[pdirt]

Last I looked, 5 horizontal nipples sold for $13 on Ebay, free shipping.

I drilled my holes 1.5” from the bottom and have not had any freezing issues down to -9F, using the 250w deicer.

Also, if you intend to hang it, use a bucket with a metal/wire handle. If the actual handle is plastic, that's fine, but make sure the rest is metal. Plastic will break after a couple months of hanging.

 

[BBrady]

Last I looked, 5 horizontal nipples sold for $13 on Ebay, free shipping.

I drilled my holes 1.5” from the bottom and have not had any freezing issues down to -9F, using the 250w deicer.

Also, if you intend to hang it, use a bucket with a metal/wire handle. If the actual handle is plastic, that's fine, but make sure the rest is metal. Plastic will break after a couple months of hanging.

Good to know. I will be planning for the heater for next February when it gets cold here in southern Missouri. The wire handle too.

 

[pdirt]

Last I looked, 5 horizontal nipples sold for $13 on Ebay, free shipping.

I drilled my holes 1.5” from the bottom and have not had any freezing issues down to -9F, using the 250w deicer.

Also, if you intend to hang it, use a bucket with a metal/wire handle. If the actual handle is plastic, that's fine, but make sure the rest is metal. Plastic will break after a couple months of hanging.

Good to know. I will be planning for the heater for next February when it gets cold here in southern Missouri. The wire handle too.

Wait until next fall to buy a deicer for your bucket. you'll get a much better price than right now. I paid $34, free shipping in January a couple years ago. K&H 250w stock tank deicer on Amazon.

 

[BBrady]

Oh, thanks! I will wait then to buy the water heater.

I purchased the nipples from the local feed store and they were not labeled as horizontal or vertical. Silly me, I installed them on the side of the bucket. I am pretty sure they are intended to be vertically installed because there is no little cup guard as seen in previously posted photos.

1) They leaked. If I install them vertically could that solve the leak?

2) The bucket was free, and I'm sure I can fix or repurpose it.

3) Any suggestions on what to use for sealing, in case vertical installation doesn't solve the leaking? I think I read one somewhere in this forum but I can't seem to find it now for details.

 

[jetdog]

Yup if they leaked they are vertical,install in the bottom and the leak will stop,they should go in pretty tight and seal themselves as you tighten.

 

[Marylani]

What size drill should I use to put holes in bucket for the nipples?

 

[jetdog]

I don't remember what size i used but start small, you can always go bigger if it won't go in,i remember i had to use pliers because it was so tight.

 

[Zoom Zoom]

I made a vertical waterer last summer that leaked continuously; used silicone for a fish aquarium on the inside then the outside. It still leaked! I used a heated dog bowl over the winter and am now faced with making another waterer. Someone gave me information from qcsupply.com on a vertical nipple ($1.95) with a rubber grommet for push-in poultry nipples ($0.22). The grommet goes into the drilled hole then the nipple is pushed into the grommet. I haven't ordered them yet. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this kind of set-up.

 

[Rodharrison]

I use a 55 gallon barrel with horizontal nipples. For 24 birds I only add water every 3 weeks! In the winter time just put in a submersible fish tank type water heater. Best waterer I've every had, period!