Alternative To Current Watering For Our Flock (Chickens & Turkeys)

[smoknz28]

Build or buy this, they sell most of the parts. With this type setup the water isn't even in the coop.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221377070471?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

Thank you.

There are two issues I have with this system.

1. This comes with a 3-gal bucket vice 5-gal.

2. I prefer the cups for water outlets.

I didn't see either of these as an option. :-/

 

[smoknz28]

To: OP. Can you hang your waterer? That might solve the problem, as when they fly up to perch on it, they'll meet the chain or what ever it is hanging from. also, super easy to change the height. Re: all caps or high lighting, or underlining, or changing the font. I do one or more when trying to direct the reader to the main point of my post, or inviting response. I certainly wouldn't want anyone to think I was yelling... or in any other way being rude. I do hope that those of you who have a certain mind set about the acceptable way to type a post will allow for some individualized ways for those of us who may not be on the same page to express ourselves. I find it difficult to read red text, but will not tell any poster not to use red text!

Thank you....but I don't feel that hanging the water will work for me. It's heavy and I feel that I'll cause more problems hanging it unfortunately.

I think the below quoted post is a good remedy if I keep with this same water system as well as keep it raised up on blocks, etc.

I agree with Ridgerunner- in the past I have taken a chain and hung it from the ceiling attached to the handle of the waterer. So the waterer isn't actually hanging but has a chain as if it is hanging. That kept them from perching on it.

I think you've got the ticket here if I keep with this water system. ;-)

Thanks!

 

[chad-o]

Thank you.

There are two issues I have with this system.

1. This comes with a 3-gal bucket vice 5-gal.

2. I prefer the cups for water outlets.

I didn't see either of these as an option. :-/

Why would you want more than 3 gal.with the float valve it is always full? I am sure if you contact the seller he will have a 5 gal. made.
As far as cups or nipples that's a preference but studies have shown that nipples of any kind are cleaner healthier than cups.
I have dealt with Solway Feeders on several items they have always accommodated me no matter the request. Cost nothing to contact them I bet you will be surprised at how far they will go to make a customer happy..

 

[smoknz28]

Why would you want more than 3 gal.with the float valve it is always full? I am sure if you contact the seller he will have a 5 gal. made.
As far as cups or nipples that's a preference but studies have shown that nipples of any kind are cleaner healthier than cups.
I have dealt with Solway Feeders on several items they have always accommodated me no matter the request. Cost nothing to contact them I bet you will be surprised at how far they will go to make a customer happy..

I prefer to have a 5-gal as there will be less time I will need to spend in refilling the water. 2 additional gallons is a plus for me and not so heavy to where I can't move it, full, if need be.

As for the nipples or cups...it just seems to me....though I have no experience...is that there would be less of a learning curve for my chickens to switch over from their standard water dispenser to the cups vice nipples. As well, there would be less mess. I can see water drops from the nipples rather than from cups. If the cups get dirty...seems simple to pop off and hit a valve to release some water to rinse them...then pop back on. I don't understand how nipples are better than cups still.

Is there anyone who's actually experience in working with both...cups and nipples that prefers one over the other? Kind of hard getting information from people over which would be better over the other if someone has not used both.

 

[chad-o]

This is an auto fill system you hard plumb it or hookup a hose and it stays full.
Most people on BYC that have tried Horizontal nipples say the learning curve is less than 2 hr. The horizontal nipples don't drip they are spring loaded so they seal. There is no mess.
I have had my auto fill with horizontal nipples for almost 3 years. Never had to fill it. Never had to clean it. Never had a leak. Did not freeze when temp. was close to 20 deg. Before I got this setup I used every type watering known to man. If you go to the Ebay link next to the sellers name there is a number click on that it is his feedback. You will find a bunch of people from BYC that have bought and love these. There are also a bunch of post here all say these are the latest and the greatest. The two that come to mind milissaTXRn and Loneoak both had posted pictures. They both are exp. keepers.
Hope this helps

 

[smoknz28]

This is an auto fill system you hard plumb it or hookup a hose and it stays full.
Most people on BYC that have tried Horizontal nipples say the learning curve is less than 2 hr. The horizontal nipples don't drip they are spring loaded so they seal. There is no mess.
I have had my auto fill with horizontal nipples for almost 3 years. Never had to fill it. Never had to clean it. Never had a leak. Did not freeze when temp. was close to 20 deg. Before I got this setup I used every type watering known to man. If you go to the Ebay link next to the sellers name there is a number click on that it is his feedback. You will find a bunch of people from BYC that have bought and love these. There are also a bunch of post here all say these are the latest and the greatest. The two that come to mind milissaTXRn and Loneoak both had posted pictures. They both are exp. keepers.
Hope this helps

I don't have any question there are very satisfied customers Chad.

The question I have is if there are people out there who have tried both systems, nipples and cups with valves, who can give constructive feedback on the two systems and advise which system they preferred.

I'm sure if I ask the cups with valves clients what they think of the system....they'd say it's the best thing they've purchased.

Would be great to hear from people who have tried both systems.

Thanks again Chad. ;-)

 

[pdirt]

Smokenz28 - not sure what part of the country you are at. I chose nipples over cups due to freezing temps. The cups don't work in freezing temps I have been told by others. We started with the common vertical nipples, took the adults about a half a day to figure them out and the chicks learned in 2 hours. Just switched the the (Solway) horizontal nipples...these are the bees knees! Way easier to install, no dripping when the birds drink, nothing to clean, no freezing issues and I can set the bucket down on the ground. Wish I had known about these to begin with!

As for your birds soiling your bucket of water...don't you have a lid on the bucket? Or am I misunderstanding your setup?

 

[smoknz28]

Smokenz28 - not sure what part of the country you are at. I chose nipples over cups due to freezing temps. The cups don't work in freezing temps I have been told by others. We started with the common vertical nipples, took the adults about a half a day to figure them out and the chicks learned in 2 hours. Just switched the the (Solway) horizontal nipples...these are the bees knees! Way easier to install, no dripping when the birds drink, nothing to clean, no freezing issues and I can set the bucket down on the ground. Wish I had known about these to begin with!

As for your birds soiling your bucket of water...don't you have a lid on the bucket? Or am I misunderstanding your setup?

I reside in Central Virginia. We do get into single digits at times in the winter and definitely below 32 F.

I don't see how the Solway auto watering system can't freeze below 32 F. All standing water should. If you're saying it doesn't....man, I gotta understand this magic. The water in the down tube for sure. Please advise what you're saying on the no freezing because this can't be possible without a heater.

 

[chad-o]

Smoknz28
If you don't want to try the two people I gave you from BYC or Ebay feedback. You might try search in feed and watering your flock for horizontal watering nipples.
I was just thinking the horizontal nipples are new here in the US. With any thing new there are those that will stick to the old tried and true system. I think that if they still made square wheel there would be those that swear by them. LOL

 

[pdirt]

I reside in Central Virginia. We do get into single digits at times in the winter and definitely below 32 F.

I don't see how the Solway auto watering system can't freeze below 32 F. All standing water should. If you're saying it doesn't....man, I gotta understand this magic. The water in the down tube for sure. Please advise what you're saying on the no freezing because this can't be possible without a heater.

Ah, yes, I was assuming you would be heating the water somehow. Yes, if it gets below 32F, you need to heat it, no matter what the system. With the vertical nipples I had to heat it with an aquarium heater to 68F (lowest setting) to keep the nipples from freezing up to -9F. I don't know if it actually had to be that warm, but it was the lowest setting I could set the aquarium heater for. The V nipples would freeze up with the stock tank deicer, but the water in the bucket itself would be ice free. With the horizontal nipples (being a different design) I think I can now use my stock tank deicer, which only heats the water to 40F. I have read from many others that the H nipples don't freeze up as easily. It also seems to be a more natural way for birds to drink, more similar to the cups.

Search the forums for freezing and watering cups, you'll find plenty of posts saying that the cups don't work as well as the V or H nipples in freezing weather, especially not into the single digits. I wanted to try the cups, but am glad I found out beforehand and wasted time, money and a bucket.

Another note on the vertical nipples...I have both bantams and large fowl using the same waterer. The bucket was either too high for the bantams or too low for the LF. So I had to keep it in between so the bantams can reach it. The downside of this is the bantams would get rather wet when they drink and the area under the bucket was always wet, which could (in a less arid climate than I live in) really cause some toxic mold problems. I've read from those who have tried both the V and H nipples that there is virtually zilch wet/dripping issues with the H nipples compared to the V ones. I just installed them but I can already see why.

Btw, I don't use any sort of auto watering system. 5 gallons for 12 birds is more than enough, lasts a week or more, if we were to go out of town for longer than that, I would just have the person picking up the eggs fill the bucket while they were there. We also don't have easy plumbing access to our coop and I'm not interested in digging a ditch just to save a few minutes once a week