Cheap, but Workable Waterer + Feeder?

[little_grey_bantam]

WATERERS: We're going through metal waterers like crazy and wanted something cheaper lol They're simply too expensive and I have a LOT of 5 plastic gallon buckets around.
Our water here is full of minerals and so it builds up on the metal more than anything, I think it would be easier to just replace the nipples if need be.
Does anyone have plans to build a waterer?

I was thinking of using a five gallon bucket on a stand, so the adult birds can reach it, with a cap so nothing can get into it. It'll be easier to clean, since I can just "scrub" or "wipe" the slime away and wha-lah!

I use these little metal nipples for my mice, what kind can you use for birds? I know there is a little needle in the "nipple" and when you hit it, it lets out water. We rarely get leakage and plan on making sure there are two waterers in each coop!

FEEDERS: Now here comes the tricky part. Our birds waste food like crazy, pellets, crumble, fancy scratch, you name it. They LOVE to get in it and peck it out or use their heads to peck it out (less with their heads, but them bantams are sure sneaky!).
For my greens and snacks, I use those freezer bins (metal, my plastic ones are broken lol) and elevate it above the birds so they can "peck at it".
On the other hand, we've tried feeders and tubs, etc. They always knock it ALL out and then look at me like I'm starving them lol when MOST of their food is on the ground.

Anyone have any plans for an automatic feeder you could use that would be good to last the birds a couple days? I'm thinking of something that will hold 40 pounds of feed

Thanks for sharing plans!

 

[Dogfish]

Waterer.

3 feet of 2" pvc, end cap, 90 degree elbow, 2" coupler, 2" to 1/2" transtion 8" of 1/2" pvc, 1/2" male and female screw connectors, 5 gallon bucket, 3 nipples, 11/32" drill bit, PVC glue. That is mine, and it fills from outside of the coop. It will have a rain gutter fill shortly with overflow. Might solve your hard water issues part of the year.

Feeder

Bucket, piece of sheet aluminum, planter base. The food area is narrow, so not a lot of feed comes out, making it hard for them to flick it out. You could use fewer holes.

 

[little_grey_bantam]

Well, just slap me silly!
That's a kick-butt way to fix that idea!

Now... I need MORE buckets... HAHAHAHA

Know where to get those per chance?

I don't understand the waterer? lol I guess that would work if we just put them all through the pens!

But we need to do something about the bigger pen (I don't have a ceiling it could hang off of!)
Care to explain?

Wait, I think I understand it

Good idea!

 

[wolftracks]

Home Depot and Lowes have them cheap...
BUT
Try supermarkets with delis(sp??) and bakeries. Sometimes they charge, but usually they are FREE.

 

[crittersitter]

Try your supermarkets deli section and ask for buckets. they will gladly give them to you instead of tossing them in the trash.

 

[Dogfish]

Quote:
Don't know where Russell County is.

Water bucket is a gravity flow. I gave you a pretty specific parts list. Add 1/2" and 2" pvc pipe as needed to expand as needed. I also used two pieces of rubber from an old inner tube as gaskets where the male and female 1/2" screw connectors attach to the bottom of the bucket. The bucket just has to be higher than the main pipe that the nipples are on. I used an 11/32" drill bit to make the holes that were lined up with the writing on the pipe, which makes for a straight line of nipples, and I also seal them with PVC glue, just to make sure of no leaks. The main pipe also needs to be level or slightly go down to the end cap. I have a lid on there now, but you need a breather hole if you don't use a gutter to fill. Water will flow from the roof into a gutter. Gutter empties into the bucket, and any water over 4 gallons flows out.

Start by setting the height of your main pipe first and build back to your resevior. Put the mail screw connector inside the bucket so the threads come out of the bottom and place a rubber gasket on it (a square of rubber with a hole slightly smaller than the threads so itstretches over the threads snugly). The female threaded screw connector should be flush with the wood base, or an 1/8" above. There is a hole drilled in the wood for teh pipe to pass through.

Need any more help?

 

[wolftracks]

Quote:
GMTA!

 

[little_grey_bantam]

By chance do you have a ... "idiot" proof tractor plan? LOL

Figured I'd just have my OEGB moved into a tractor for good and maybe raise a few peeps in them and some Cornish X *yum!*

I suppose it's time to find a hammer, nails... screws? screwdrivers? Etc. LOL
And a level...

AND THANK YOU!

Your pictures and information is great

Now to remember all those dimensions and stuff!

 

[wolftracks]

 

[little_grey_bantam]

Quote:
What does GMTwhatever stand for? LOL I guess I'm idiot-acronymns too! *face plant*

what are you doing?