Cheap Waterers?

[calebc311]

I will be going on a camping trip for a week or so, and my waterer is too small to last that long without refills.I have two chickens in my backyard and they will be enclosed for the duration of the trip. Is there any way to build or buy a cheap and relatively large waterer to go in a small run or coop?

 

[aatx]

I'm not sure how much time you have, but a 5 gallon bucket with horizontal nipples on it would be ideal and easy to do. No need to worry about spills either.

 

[subhanalah]

I'm not sure how much time you have, but a 5 gallon bucket with horizontal nipples on it would be ideal and easy to do.  No need to worry about spills either.

this is the ideal way to water juvenile and adult chickens.
Less exposure to bacteria and other nasties associated with the moat/basin waterer design.

 

[henless]

I use this as my waterer:



It holds 5 gallons and last a week for my 21 pullets. I put in 4 horizontal nipples, but with you only having 2 chickens, 1 nipple would be plenty. I love it! Keeps the water clean and no spillage.

The link to building one is in my siggy.

 

[subhanalah]

I would have at least two available water stations even with just two hens. It will help during the more stressful times in case one hen gets grumpy or you wind up with a broody.
The fewer chickens you have, the more nipple per bird are necessary.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

I use this as my waterer:



It holds 5 gallons and last a week for my 21 pullets. I put in 4 horizontal nipples, but with you only having 2 chickens, 1 nipple would be plenty. I love it! Keeps the water clean and no spillage.

The link to building one is in my siggy.

That is really neat! I can never leave longer than a day because my ducks play, blow their nose, etc. in it, but that would be a great idea. Hmmm I'll have to try some experimenting

 

[subhanalah]

That is really neat! I can never leave longer than a day because my ducks play, blow their nose, etc. in it, but that would be a great idea.  Hmmm I'll have to try some experimenting

ducks can't use the horizontal nipples, and still need daily access to water deep enough to dunk their heads if they have food available.

 

[aatx]

I have two for my 17 chickens.

In the run, a 5 gallon bucket with 4 nipples. Suspended by a chain.

In the coop, a 2.5 gallon bucket with 3 nipples. Sitting on some bricks.

Each one has backup nipples and I've got two complete systems in case something goes wrong with one. I do have a vent hole drilled in the bucket, near the top. In my first setup, I put the vent hole on the lid and they liked to hop up there and poop and I was afraid it would get down into the water. On the side works much better - just don't fill your bucket up over that hole.

I change out the water every 1-2 weeks, but have never had a bucket empty. I can't imagine going back to the waterers that would get poop or shavings or dirt in them no matter how often I cleaned them. Best decision ever.

 

[subhanalah]

I have two for my 17 chickens.

In the run, a 5 gallon bucket with 4 nipples.  Suspended by a chain.

In the coop, a 2.5 gallon bucket with 3 nipples.  Sitting on some bricks.

Each one has backup nipples and I've got two complete systems in case something goes wrong with one.  I do have a vent hole drilled in the bucket, near the top.  In my first setup, I put the vent hole on the lid and they liked to hop up there and poop and I was afraid it would get down into the water.  On the side works much better - just don't fill your bucket up over that hole.

I change out the water every 1-2 weeks, but have never had a bucket empty.  I can't imagine going back to the waterers that would get poop or shavings or dirt in them no matter how often I cleaned them.  Best decision ever.

and the SMELL! You can smell that it's toxic!

 

[ChickenJerk]

ducks need daily access to water deep enough to dunk their heads if they have food available.

Really? You are sure about that?