Automatic Water Dispenser....planning to install one...any suggestions

[Mrs. Feathers]

We are planning to install two automatic water dispensers for our chickens...one in the coop and the other outside in the run.
We are looking for suggestions re: brands and any tips or suggestions for using these.
One concern we have come up with is will they tend to get plugged up with all the beak gunk from the mash we feed our gang? and aside from getting plugged up with this are they sanitary? We clean our water jugs out at least daily because of the feed/bedding that contaminate them. I am thinking that raising it high enough will cut down the bedding issue but not sure about the feed.
Thanks ahead for your thoughts....

 

[NanoByte]

You can easily buy one from a local petshop for 5 bucks. dont go to the trouble of making one.

 

[orionburn]

I bought this 5 gallon waterer a little over a week ago and have been pleased with it: http://www.ruralking.com/waterer-plastic-poultryandgame-5-gal.html

We have the same issues with the tray getting gunked up. I took some old pavers that we had laying around and put it underneath the tray to get it elevated by a couple of inches. The ducks still make a mess out of the tray, but it keeps the majority of dirt out. I don't know the size of your flock, but with ours the 5 gallons holds plenty of water to tip the tray over every now and then for a quick refresh.

 

[mlorne]

I recently installed a nipple based system and I just love it. Initially it was a bit of work to get it together, but I think mine was more elaborate than it needed to be. I used 3/4" pvc pipe and I have hooked it up to a spare rainbarrel. Every week I drain the 20 or so gallons in the barrel and put in fresh water.

It didn't take the chickens long to figure out that pecking the nipple meant water!

Good luck!
Michael

 

[ruralmom]

mlorne, did you offer water during the time it took the chickens to determine that the nipples were where the water came from, or did you do a demo for them by tapping the nipples? I am concerned with the heat the learning curve will take too long and they may get over heated. Thanks