Bay Area BYCers!

[lualshannon]

we get buckets and these wonderful long baskets that are like double milk crates ( used for tomatillios) from this place called BEST MARKET ( yes all in caps they even shout the name inside) down the street from us. I think me raiding the garbage makes everyone laugh. I have guys from inside run out and offer me lids when I grab buckets, lol.

What kind of buckets, Chiqita? and what do you use them for? Do you have any photos?

 

[gryeyes]

I used the frosting buckets from the bakery at the Nugget store when I lived in West Sac. I just called the bakery and asked; some times they had 'em, sometimes somebody else picked 'em up. I put nipples in the bottom for a waterer. (Have to be on the flat bottom, not into the sides of the bucket at the bottom because the nipples must be vertical to work.

I just set 'em up on a concrete block next to a post, then bungie-corded them to the post to keep them from tipping. You need the lids; drill a hole into the top so air will get in but dirt doesn't.

 

[chiqita]

They are like the buckets from home depot but white. We store feed and stuff in them and make fermented feed sets for people. I'll see if I can get a pic of the baskets tomorrow.

I use them for nesting boxes, broodies hen crates , short roosts for babies and silkies and for customers who forget a box for their juvenile birds. And anything else I can think of!

 

[lualshannon]

They are like the buckets from home depot but white. We store feed and stuff in them and make fermented feed sets for people. I'll see if I can get a pic of the baskets tomorrow.

I use them for nesting boxes, broodies hen crates , short roosts for babies and silkies and for customers who forget a box for their juvenile birds. And anything else I can think of!

Are they like the 5 gallon paint buckets? Interesting! I can understand using the buckets for storing misc. but, would have never thought of using them as nest boxes. I have a feeling that you are using them on their sides? Doesn't all the nesting material fall out easily? Also, doesn't it roll? Well, I must say; the chicken breeders are quite clever and resourceful!!

 

[lualshannon]

I used the frosting buckets from the bakery at the Nugget store when I lived in West Sac. I just called the bakery and asked; some times they had 'em, sometimes somebody else picked 'em up. I put nipples in the bottom for a waterer. (Have to be on the flat bottom, not into the sides of the bucket at the bottom because the nipples must be vertical to work.

I just set 'em up on a concrete block next to a post, then bungie-corded them to the post to keep them from tipping. You need the lids; drill a hole into the top so air will get in but dirt doesn't.

I am having difficulty to visualize how the bucket is converted into a water can. Are you referring to a baby bottle nipples? Ohhh, please excuse me, suddenly, all my ability to be able to imagine and figure things out completely left me.. Chicken water servers are quite pricey, and would love to learn how to make one. Would it be possible for you to post some photos?

 

[gryeyes]

use your favorite search engine (Google, or Bing! - I prefer www.dogpile.com )- to find "poultry nipples" or go to www.farmtek.com and look for poultry watering systems for examples.

These are small valves with red casings to draw the chickens' attention; the birds peck at the metal valve which moves to let a drop of water out. They peck at it to drink.

There are lots of threads in the Flock Maintenance or Feeding & Watering Your flock sections which refer to "chicken nipples" (but search for poultry nipples or you might have an interesting search result!) and lots of pictures. I have a couple pictures in my galleries but can't find 'em right now, myself.... Sorry!

Clean fresh water, no poop or shavings in it. I no longer use them because the geese have actually destroyed a couple of the nipple valves. Ripped the metal stems right out of 'em and the water poured right out of the buckets.

They work really well in brooders, by the way. Similar to small animal water bottles, which chicks learn to use too.

 

[lualshannon]

use your favorite search engine (Google, or Bing! - I prefer www.dogpile.com )- to find "poultry nipples" or go to www.farmtek.com and look for poultry watering systems for examples.

These are small valves with red casings to draw the chickens' attention; the birds peck at the metal valve which moves to let a drop of water out. They peck at it to drink.

There are lots of threads in the Flock Maintenance or Feeding & Watering Your flock sections which refer to "chicken nipples" (but search for poultry nipples or you might have an interesting search result!) and lots of pictures. I have a couple pictures in my galleries but can't find 'em right now, myself.... Sorry!

Clean fresh water, no poop or shavings in it. I no longer use them because the geese have actually destroyed a couple of the nipple valves. Ripped the metal stems right out of 'em and the water poured right out of the buckets.

They work really well in brooders, by the way. Similar to small animal water bottles, which chicks learn to use too.

Thank you VERY much for all the information! How very kind of you!!! I will definitely go to the sites you have recommended. I use a stainless steal large bowl, and am starting to get tired of constantly replenishing the water. If I let it go more than half the day, it looks like a disgusting nightmare. Also, what is worrisome is their habit of pooping in the water dish. I don't know how they manage it; but, they do...
Thank you!!!!!

 

[chiqita]

Are they like the 5 gallon paint buckets? Interesting! I can understand using the buckets for storing misc. but, would have never thought of using them as nest boxes. I have a feeling that you are using them on their sides? Doesn't all the nesting material fall out easily? Also, doesn't it roll? Well, I must say; the chicken breeders are quite clever and resourceful!!

The baskets are for nesting boxes. Some people DO use buckets suspended for nesting boxes, with 1/2 a top cut out, but I have concrete walls in the main coop so that wont work. The baskets are plastic mesh and will fit 2 large fowl close together or or 4 silkies. I don't recommend 4 silkies to a broodie box, but they have done it. The good thing is you can move the box around ( with them covered) to a more suitable place if they brood in it and most of the time they will stay put. Not always however.

 

[BluesChicken]

I put nipples in the bottom for a waterer. (Have to be on the flat bottom, not into the sides of the bucket at the bottom because the nipples must be vertical to work.

I just set 'em up on a concrete block next to a post, then bungie-corded them to the post to keep them from tipping. You need the lids; drill a hole into the top so air will get in but dirt doesn't.

Yep I just discovered that the nipples have to be on the bottom. I was in a hurry and drilled the holes on the sides last night before reading your post today, and sure enough they don't stop dripping until I tip the bucket. I have a couple of others I am using for feed so I may do one of those.

FWIW I am using frosting buckets. They come with a very tight-fitting lid and are nice for storing feed.

 

[BluesChicken]

Whoa!!! It only took about 1 hour for them to figure out how to use the nipples!! The dominant 1 (Daisey) was the first and the others followed. Chickens must have a curiosity about things that they can peck. Whatever................... It works for my girls!

Dave