Arizona Chickens

[DM]

Does anyone have a great water system. I have used dog bowls ( gets to dirty) am trying 5 gal buckets with nipples (wonder if they get enough water that way) the chicks use the nipple with bucket good. the hens wont ...just wondered if someone had something else and how it is put together and how it works.

 

[5pinkarrows]

We just use those 2 gallon metal waterers from the feed store. They work great for us, but we don't have as many chickens as some.

 

[AZBootsie]

I was thinking of trying the buckets and water nipples also. Just want to figure out a decent system before it gets too hot. Maybe your hens would like the little low pressure water cup things?? I was looking at them also, but the nipples seem so simple.

 

[Beckyhsinglsc]

Quote:
leslierf:
Oh shoot! I just came home from Tucson to the Phoenix area. I was driving as you were typing this. I even had an empty cage in the back.

All:
My sister was feeling a little overwhelmed with the whole switching of the hens and pullets between the coop and chicken yard... so I built a make-shift coop and yard for the pullets this morning.
I sectioned off a part of the chicken yard with a dog x-pen that I borrowed from my mom and made a "coop" out of a cardboard box from a chest freezer covered with a tarp.
It even has a roost (large broom handle)

The pullets calmed down almost immediately when they realized they had their own space and I feel much better about leaving them there now.
I should have taken a picture for you all.
I'll update you on their progress over the next few weeks.
Thanks again

 

[5pinkarrows]

Good job, Becky! As much as we like pretty, chickens prefer functional. I am sure they will be perfectly happy until they get something more permanent.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Hi Beckyhsinglsc, I was going to offer up a large dog crate or even my chicken tractor (if we could find a way to haul it) for a couple weeks--let me know if your sister needs something else. I'm centrally located (near Reid Park) if that matters.

DM, if you look down towards the middle of my BYC page, you'll see some pics of my auto-waterer.

5pinkarrows, Hopwossers!!!

I think I might have to start calling them that. I just love the names kids come up with.

My experience with nipple waterers: I started with nipples (once they were out of the brooder and in the coop), but my chooks didn't seem to be drinking as much and I worried about them and kept them on vacuum waterers until after the summer heat passed. Then in the fall I switched back to nipple waterers only--I have two five gallon buckets with three nipples in each (one bucket in the run and one in the yard) and I also have my automated nipple system in the coop. Again, I was very worried that they weren't getting enough water since they didn't seem to spend as much time at the nipples as they did the other waterers. Also, whenever I'd water a tree the darn birds acted like they hadn't had water in days. So, I decided to figure out just how much they were drinking. I switched back to vacuum waterers for 5 days, putting one where each of the 5 gallon nipple waterers was located and emptying/turning off the automated system. I measured and recorded the exact amount consumed every day. I then switched over to the two 5 gallon nipple waterers again and measured the amount consumed every day for five days. I was surprised at the results. My six birds drank 2.75 cups of water per day from the nipple waterers and 2.5 cups per day from the vacuum waterers. Interestingly, the amount consumed was consistent over days. I really wanted a reason not to use the nipples and ended up convincing myself that they are the best. I'm looking forward to this summer when I can rotate frozen milk jugs into the 5 gallon waterers. I'm thinking of insulating them with the same material I used in my tractor and coop which should keep the water very cool all day long. Oh, BTW, I'd only use two nipples per 5 gal. bucket. I can recommend getting nipples from here: http://www.qcsupply.com/420011-push-in-style-nipple.html They were very inexpensive, shipping was fair and customer service was pretty good. I'd also recommend getting a 9mm drill bit for installation.

 

[Beckyhsinglsc]

Quote:
Gallo: Thanks for the offer! I think she's set for now (unless the box doesn't last through the little bit of rain we might get tomorrow.)

5pinkarrows: One of my daughters use to say boofala for beautiful. She'd say it with such enthusiasm... "OH, it's SOOO BOOfala!" We often call her boofala now.

Gallo:Thank you also for posting this information about the nipple waterer. It's great info to have. I was a little worried about it too.
Maybe they spend less time at the nipple waterer because they don't have to "dip and lift, dip and lift". The water just runs down their throat. It must be more efficient for them.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote:
I agree! I also think they drink a greater volume because it just has to flow down into their mouths. Mine eventually learned to just hold the nipple to one side with their beak and the water flows right down their throats.

I wish I had your optimism for rain!
Oh, BTW, get ready for our next FREEZE!!! From the Weather Underground, Tucson, Tues. 31, Wed. 25, Thurs, 25.

 

[squeakyballs]

Quote:
Nooooooooooooooooooo

 

[NoSkiveez]

Oh that's just great. My stupid chickens laid 6 eggs today which means they are going to go back on strike. I'm never gonna have eggs.

Good news. Hubby didn't break anything. He's very swollen and purple. He's going to have to take it easy for a few days.