Automatic watering system

[chubbchubb7]

I am due at the end of next month, live in north Florida and it’s hot! Right now I have to carry 5 gallon buckets in the coop to fill up the waterers. What I want to do is set up a system with pvc pipe and a hose to give hem fresh water. Just not sure what to use on the water end. I’ve heard pros and cons on the cups and nipples. So wondering if anyone has any tips for what to use and how to make this happen easily... I have 5 coops

 

[archeryrob]

Are your coops close together and near a hose? I am not fond of a direct hose hook up because even a good hose can burst and flood out the house, yard and whatever.

You could run PVC pipe off an 55 gallon barrel or a stock tank. I've found 250 gallon water tanks on Facebook market place for $60. I use the horizontal nipples for my chickens and they take to it just fine. You just drill an 11/32" hole in the bucket or pipe and screw it in and it self threads into the pipe. I would make sure you use a heavier pipe.

You have to show them by pushing on it and letting water leak out. You only need one smart bird to notice and they all catch on.

I you want to hook the hose to the PVC you use one of these. I am assuming you know about pvc primer and glue and how to connect it all.

 

[chubbchubb7]

Thanks!!! I always have problems with getting responses on here so I appreciate yours!
The barrel is what I was thinking about when I couldn’t sleep last night
I found some cups from rentacoop on Amazon I may try and just put a trough float on the barrel or stock tank. Then gravity feed to the houses (yes they are close together, in a line). Do you think that’s a good plan? We use trough floats all over the farm and rarely have a hose just burst but it does happen. Behind the houses it’s slopes down so I don’t think it would flood the coops.
Yes we are familiar with working with pvc and all the stuff to use

 

[archeryrob]

Not sure on the gravity thing. water seeks the level of the lowest opening. I like the nipples for the controlled valves, Cups would be good and similar.

A busted hose when being gone could mean a dry well and a burnt pump. That's what I think about.

 

[sharondoright]

I am due at the end of next month, live in north Florida and it’s hot! Right now I have to carry 5 gallon buckets in the coop to fill up the waterers. What I want to do is set up a system with pvc pipe and a hose to give hem fresh water. Just not sure what to use on the water end. I’ve heard pros and cons on the cups and nipples. So wondering if anyone has any tips for what to use and how to make this happen easily... I have 5 coops

I hang my garden hose over the fence so the water fills bucket below. During hot afternoon or when lazy, I leave it open a drip, and if it floods some of chicken yard, they seem to enjoy the cool mud. I have seen u tube videos of some cool auto systems...

 

[Steven Bussell]

This a waterer I made. I have both cups and nipples. I can either fill it at the top of the raiser where I have a cap or hook a hose up to it. I do have a double female hose connector to go on the pipe bid. Because I have a small pond in my run the most water they drink from it is about a gallon and a half

 

[sealer39]

This is how I do an auto waterer. I never installed a water hose to directly feed the bucket because this is in a run that is moved a lot.
I have three set up this way, one in the run, one in the coop and a 3gl bucket sitting on a brick in the brooder. If you use any kind of nipple, make sure you drill several tiny holes in the lid to let air in.

 

[Raylo]

My System: 30 gallons. My chickens prefer the cups, but I did not want a large pipe. This is how it ended up. Make sure to use a Tap & Die for the holes along with plumbing tape. Makes things a lot easier.