AUTOMATIC WATERER

[msrma7670]

Sorry I have been away for a bit.

I add bleach to the tank for a few reasons.

1.) mosqitos can not live in such an enviroment. DO not get me wrong if you leave it for a week or two it will allow them to grow at least
that is my experiance.
2.) mold/ algae prevention.
3.) I learned from living in hurricane season to keep fresh water you need to add some bleach or stagnit water will sour very quickly
4.) As far as harm to the birds never had a single problem.

Hope this has helped answer your questions.

 

[jaymur]

Hi,
Newbe here. Why did you put a spicket in the garbage can? For some convienience? Could you go with out it?
Thanks,
Jay

 

[estpr13]

Hi, Just a comment. I was collecting my gutter rainwater in a garbage can for garden and other uses. It worked until it froze and busted the bottom of the can. A floting piece of wood might help keep the water from freezing. But down in GA you all might never have freezing problems.

 

[donnaIL]

Great Idea, I also have a bucket that you plug in to keep water from freezing. Do they roost on the bucket? Also I am assuming that the dirt/debris sinks to the bottom. We use those same floats on our livestock tanks.

 

[Adamd]

Just thought I would suggest a design improvement from a health stand point. No standard hose is recommended for water supply for "human consumption" There are warnings telling you to never drink from hoses because they can leach harmful chemicals most importantly lead, into the water. Many hoses are manufactured using polyvinyl chloride which uses lead as a stabilizer.

So I would recommend getting a hose that is intended for human consumption supply. Most all hardware stores carry them, and they are usually white, and are typically intended for supplying water to motor homes and other vehicles with water reservoirs that people will drink from.

I love the idea though, many people say necessity is the mother of invention... I say keeping the wife happy is the mother of invention lol.

 

[minna]

That's neat, I will have to take a pic of mine. My hubby is also a creative genius and came up with a design to help me out. I think he should patent it. I'll go out and take pics and come back and post, it's time for my eggs to be turned anyway.

 

[minna]

 

[msrma7670]

Never really thought of extendeng it using pvc. I will have to look into that.

I don't know about the hose and health most hoe is made from rubber very similar to the chemical made in plastics we drink out of. not sure how lead would get in. Besides that the cost for an RV water hose that states human consumption is pretty pricy per foot.

No freezing is not much of an issue down here but it does happen. I figure as water freezes and expands as long as it has somewhere to expand to it should not be a proablem. The trash can could bust and that was why I used an industrial grade rubberized trash can. a bit more money but I do not want to buy another one.

If you got more pics of the actual system of the pvc and how it works I would be very interested.

thanks
mike

 

[minna]

My dh is the one who built it, so i'm not sure if I can explain it. Basically as you can see the water hose comes into the bottom of the pipe on the end, he put some type of toilet float in the pipe. He then attached the other section of pipe. He cut the holes with a drill and a hole bit. If you need more info, I can have my dh type an explanation. It really is wonderful, I just leave the water on at all times and it does it thing. The ground is uneven which makes it even better b/c the pipe has to be level to work but the ground allows for a spot for the little chickens as well as a spot for the bigger chickens to drink.

 

[kathyinmo]

I can not see the pictures in the first post, or on the web page. I was guided here, from the "Learning Center."