automatic waters

[khable]

Hi all,

I am thinking about getting an automatic waterer. I have seen a few different kinds.... The fountain type, the trough type and the dog water bowl type.

Can those of you who have each of these types (or other types) give me a review of the pros and cons of each of them??

I really appreciate the help!

Thanks,

 

[msrma7670]

Hey i just went through this a week ago.

I decided to go with a small horse/cattle float for the float. It is the kind a hose can screw right into it. the cost 20.00 at tractor supply just ask for auto waters for mid size animals.
Since my house can not stay hooked up all the time I bought a heavy duty commercial trash can and placed a water hose spigot at the bottom (very easy to do) placed the trash can about two three feet up of the ground and hooked a hose up to the can and the float
I added just a pinch of bleach not much to keep the water fresh and it works really well my birds can go two weeks without watering them and all i do is take the hose off clean the can. lift the float off and wash the water pale. I will try to post some pics in a bit of the water system.

Very frustrating looking on the web for ideas on the matter.

 

[twhudson]

I have used nipple drinkers for years. These are the same knid that the commercial houses use. I have a 50 gal plastic drum that holds the water, and the nipple drinkers are gravity fed. I have never had a problem. I put heating cables on them in the winter and freezing is not a problem.

 

[msrma7670]

Finally got a moment and got ya some pics of my watering system. Nothing fancy works all by gravity.

 

[nccountrygirl]

WOW, I am impressed. We will be doing that in the future. Thanks

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

msrma, that is fantastic!

Can you create a BYC Page (instructions here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2-Personal_Pages ) with your pictures and a little more info about your system. This is perfect for those that don't have a water supply right at their coop.

 

[ridgefire]

I made a water out of a 5 gallon bucket and a toilet fill valve.

I think it cost me 10 bucks all together. This summer when I run the new electric to the barn I am also going to add a water line so I dont have to have the hose strung across the lawn.

 

[snewman]

So, the chickens don't perch on the rim of the bowl and poop in it? I've been having trouble with the waterer I'm using for my two week old chicks and ducklings because it seems to just continue flowing if it's not perfectly level and it soaks the bedding. My husband asked why not just get the type for dogs and cats and I told him that they'd sit on the edge and poop in it. Maybe he's right and I'm wrong? Or maybe if they have other perch options they won't perch on the bowl edge.

 

[msrma7670]

Sorry i have been at work as of late. I do not like the plastic dog ones take one apart at walmart or where ever. First the float is not made well it will break very easily. How many times do we buy stuff trying to save money and in the end it costs us more than just buying a better one to start with?
They do not sit on the edge and poop on it because i put bricks around it same height as the water so it is kinda like them drinking off of the ground. One is a bit tall er than the bucket not by much. i have found no droppings in it or around the rim all of poop are on the bricks and around the water bucket.

TO fix your water proablem can you hang it from a string like a hanging one?
you can try a quail waterer it wont last forever but can work while they are young. or try a plywood under the owel to level out the ground. in the end you will have to hang it up or invest in one like mine.

 

[2kool2]

How did you tie in (or glue in) the water hose spigot?