Arizona Chickens

[Mikey D]

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Where does one find a nipple waterer and is it expensive?

I accidently ordered an extra set of 10 - where are you located?

 

[Mikey D]

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Can the bucket be plastic? Does any feed store carry the nipples?

I used a homer bucket & lid. I don't have the lid all the way snapped on, just stuck on. I also plumbed a swamp cooler float into it so I don't have to fill it. I blurp a bit O apple cider vinegar into it ever other day. I set the float so there is only 4 or so inches of water in it. I figured less weight would make the bucket last longer.

I put 4 nipples in the bottom - prolly over kill but I had extra anyway

 

[Mikey D]

Feed Update...

Short story, I called Olsen grain who can mill us feed. Unfortunately it is going to be around $21 per bag - no real savings.

On the bright side Higley Feed has Kruse back in stock - around $25/bag

Which I picked up (with a bale of bedding) on Aunt Fanny this afternoon!

I'll keep looking but don't have a ton of hope for cheaper feed.

 

[ca]

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Where does one find a nipple waterer and is it expensive?

For the little ones I use a gallon jug (aloe vera juice, trader joe's, I have tons of these) and add one nipple.
For the big ones I use PVC piping hooked up to a reservoir with lots of nipples (about every 6 inches, total overkill).

 

[Mikey D]

I'm with CA - I plan on using PVC as it will spread out the peepers - they have to crowd around now. I've just not gotten to it yet.

They do like the nice cool area underneath the bucket and are excavating a crater there.

 

[tightwad]

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Yes, it probably should be plastic and it should also have a lid to keep out materials that might clog the nipples. If you go this route, be sure to drill a small hole in the lid (~1/16") to prevent a vacuum from forming. My local feed store doesn't carry poultry nipples, but maybe yours does.

The 5 gallon bucket with poultry nipples is one of the things that I really like about my coop setup. The water stays nice and clean and I don't have to fiddle with it daily. I got a free bucket from Walmart's bakery. I like it because it's somewhat translucent so I can see the water level from the house. I started off using a bucket from Home Depot and hung it with rope tied to the metal handle but after about a month the metal handle ripped through the plastic bucket and it fell. Luckily none of the girls were hurt. After that I bought a 5 gallon bucket holder and attached it to a 2x4 in the run. Here are the links to these items:

http://www.qcsupply.com/420011-push-in-style-nipple.html

http://amzn.com/B000HHLPE6

I agree, that bucket holder is awesome.

 

[pastrymama]

i too, had a similar bucket thingy waterer setup with the homer bucket on a hook and like southern desert, the handle ripped through the plastic and fell. i don't do it that way anymore. pvc on the wall attached to the bucket that firmly sits OUTSIDE my run on the patio on my potting bench. i don't use the nipples, but the little cups that they are supposed to peck at to get water. this new group of layers i have raised appear to be divas and require reteaching over and over and over again, kinda like my kiddos.

and two of my divas turned into ROOS

of course they have to be the 5 year old's favorite and his chickens for being my little helper. so far they are not crowing, but once they do.............

meg

your sweet lovey bird is pulling out fanny's muffs and beard. and thing one renamed them: taffy, lollipop, and banana. the baby 4 month old ameraucanas have been named after candy and fruit as well, but she has already forgotten what they are

 

[Mikey D]

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The 5 gallon bucket with poultry nipples is one of the things that I really like about my coop setup. The water stays nice and clean and I don't have to fiddle with it daily. I got a free bucket from Walmart's bakery. I like it because it's somewhat translucent so I can see the water level from the house. I started off using a bucket from Home Depot and hung it with rope tied to the metal handle but after about a month the metal handle ripped through the plastic bucket and it fell. Luckily none of the girls were hurt. After that I bought a 5 gallon bucket holder and attached it to a 2x4 in the run. Here are the links to these items:

http://www.qcsupply.com/420011-push-in-style-nipple.html

http://amzn.com/B000HHLPE6

I agree, that bucket holder is awesome.

How did I miss Curt's post?

Where did you guys have the water level in the bucket? Now you've got me nervous...

 

[Curt]

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I agree, that bucket holder is awesome.

How did I miss Curt's post?

Where did you guys have the water level in the bucket? Now you've got me nervous...

When mine fell I had been filling it to the top. If you're only filling it up a quarter of the way or less I'm sure you'll be fine. That is a sweet setup you have there Mikey.

 

[Tracydr]

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Where does one find a nipple waterer and is it expensive?

I was sort of wondering where one sends a chick for occupational therapy. I know a doggy physical therapist but not sure if he does chicken OT.