Best way to water the flock?

[Mac in Wisco]

Quote:
No, that won't reduce the pressure. Since the flow is minimal the system remains at a constant pressure.

 

[lebentier]

how funny, we started working on exactly the same idea yesterday. my dh spent 2 weeks redesigning my dream into a practical installation and this is how far we got yesterday. today we will put in the plumbing (nipple system).

 

[Sore Thumb Suburbanite]

what an awesome yard LEBENTIER !...both for you and them! I'm so glad someone is doing this same sort of thing...Great minds... Well, now that I've got good drain instructions and a couple good examples I'm good to go! thanks everybody!

 

[dmccann]

Wow great ideas,i want dh to use one of our plastic 55 gal drums for waterer,where do u buy the one pictured with the removeable top?I want a top to come off for cleaning and putting in ice in the summer.Ok question i do not want the nipple system ,so would the fountain type work ok?I want to go away a few days and want to make it as easy as possible for my son to check on them,plus keep it poop free.Any help i would love,Beautiful photos!Thanks

 

[DickGJ]

Quote:
I bought mine on Craigs List. Apparently the 60gallon plastic barrels I got were used for pickles. (the label was still on them). The guy selling them in my area sold them for $20 without hardware, and $59 with the faucet and holes cut out in the lid with screen over them. I thought it was a good deal and saved me some work.

I have been trying to decide between nipples, the automatic dish/fount, and those little automatic water cups. I think I'm going to settle on the automatic water bowl/fount (as seen on McMurray's: http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/automatic_water_bowls.html ). I have seen them a little cheaper on eBay and I'm still looking. I would sure like to hear from others that use these bowls for feedback on how well these work for them. I decided on the bowl waterer because I'll be using the 60 gallon gravity feed method, and from what I've read here...some folks have experienced that it produces too much pressure for the nipples (though I'm not sure about the cups). These bowls are suppose to work well up to about 70 psi.

 

[Sore Thumb Suburbanite]

Quote:
don't buy them from mcmurray! I love them and all, but I wanted to get it a little cheaper... yeah they are 19.00 on ebay, but... shipping is 15! I got mine at www.cutlersupply.com , they have dimensions and all 3 sizes. I went this route because I don't have chickens, I should be getting mine in a few days so I'll let you know how the setup goes... I did see on the mcmurray site an anti roost lid for chickens... I wouldn't buy that, I'd make something--drill a lole in a frisbee or something--geeze, but that may be something you can add to ensure the water stays clean. The bowls work exceptionally well, I am told, tha valve is high quality so it won't have issues I don't think.

 

[DickGJ]

Quote:
don't buy them from mcmurray! I love them and all, but I wanted to get it a little cheaper... yeah they are 19.00 on ebay, but... shipping is 15! I got mine at www.cutlersupply.com , they have dimensions and all 3 sizes. I went this route because I don't have chickens, I should be getting mine in a few days so I'll let you know how the setup goes... I did see on the mcmurray site an anti roost lid for chickens... I wouldn't buy that, I'd make something--drill a lole in a frisbee or something--geeze, but that may be something you can add to ensure the water stays clean. The bowls work exceptionally well, I am told, tha valve is high quality so it won't have issues I don't think.

Thanks for the info on cutlersupply...I'm going to check them out as soon as I hit the send button on this. I didn't plan on buying from McMurray's since I've discovered I could get them cheaper elsewhere, but it had a good link and I liked the little youtube video they have on their website related to this waterer. I really think I'm going to commit myself (and my chickens) to this waterer...it looks like it should serve the purpose I'm after without the leakage and pressure issues so many seem to be running into with nipples and cups when pressure is > 5psi. I also like your DYI idea on the frisbee cover! It's fun to see how innovative folks like yourself can be. Thanks for the post!

 

[lebentier]

i am using the screw in nipples. i was already using bottle feeders for my layers. now i even have my 2wks chicks using a bottle. i have found with the babies that if you can keep their bedding dry there is waaayy less stink.

 

[lfreem2]

I got my barrels in SC probably from the same guy that Dick did on Craig's List. Mine also held pickles. Try going to a car wash, as they will have covers as well. And, as I said, they are dying to get rid of them so usually you can get 'em for free. They tend to be smaller than 55g's sometimes, and are 30 gallons, but still plenty big. Retrofitting them with a spigot or fountain is really easy. Just drill into it.

 

[JohnBob]

Quote:
Instead of "caulking" (I suppose you're using silicone) try using plumbers tape (teflon) and a rubber O-ring on the nipple when you thread it in. The teflon tape builds up the threads a bit for a tighter fit and the O-ring seals the nipple base against the pipe for no leaks.