Chicken Waterer design

[Birdinhand]

Yep I know what you mean, I got 2 of these 5 gallon and a galvanized one. But at least its cleanable when they turned green inside. I had to order a couple of those o-ring to replace the saggy ones.

I have one of these and I really don't like the design, it's kind of mind boggling that they left all that space underneath the water tank for stuff to grow.

 

[WVduckchick]

Yep I know what you mean, I got 2 of these 5 gallon and a galvanized one. But at least its cleanable when they turned green inside. I had to order a couple of those o-ring to replace the saggy ones.

I have one of those for ducks. If you rub a little Vaseline (or some sort of rubber lube) on the o-ring every so often, they last longer. And it seems to make screwing and un-screwing the lid easier too.

 

[Boss8]

I bought black buckets w lids and installed horizontal nipples on them ....introduced them to the chickens and they don't seem interested in them ...left galvanized waterer in with them...think I may remove galvanized waterer and maybe they will be forced to use the nipple waterers ... Any thoughts?

 

[WVduckchick]

I have pvc tubing for one set of pens, with vertical nipples, and a heat cable inside the tube (only certain ones are approved for submersion) In the pic below, I had the heat tape just taped it to the outside of the pipe, but once it got to near-freezing temps, it didn't work well. So we inserted it into the tube. It has worked well for my bantams. The heat tape keeps the water in the pipe fluid, but the nipples did freeze up when temps dipped in the upper 20's. A little under freezing temps, the chicks can still break them loose when they peck.

Eventually I plan to route my gutter thru a rain barrel for filtering, then back to the waterer, but haven't gotten that far yet. I did pick up some vertical cup nipples, thinking I may add them thru the fence to supply the chicks on the other side, but haven't installed those yet either.

I do like seeing what everyone else uses. Good ideas and comments so far!

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Horizontal water nipples on a plastic kitty litter pail (square pails allow for a better seal) is pretty cheap, works quite well and doesn't leak (except when the little monsters sloppily drink). Wrap a heat tape around the outside during the winter and it doesn't freeze. I'm happy. Yay!

 

[Birdinhand]

I bought black buckets w lids and installed horizontal nipples on them ....introduced them to the chickens and they don't seem interested in them ...left galvanized waterer in with them...think I may remove galvanized waterer and maybe they will be forced to use the nipple waterers ... Any thoughts?

for them to get established with a nipple waterer, you have to remove all other sources of water. they will always prefer an open waterer, but if they knew what we know about microbes, they would run straight for that nipple waterer... don't worry, they will pick it up mighty quick as soon as the thirst kicks in. if you are mother hen for them, going in and tapping on the trigger so that they see drops of water can give them a boost, but I don't think that's even necessary... kind of more to help us feel better actually.

 

[Boss8]

Thanks! Going to remove galvanized waterer tomorrow...they are hardly touching the new waterers, and with all time and money spent on the new waterers I want them used!

 

[Boss8]

Black buckets help with preventing algae growth but will heat up water in summer faster ...

 

[ChickNanny13]

Thanks! Going to remove galvanized waterer tomorrow...they are hardly touching the new waterers, and with all time and money spent on the new waterers I want them used!

Did you show them what it is? I kind of tap on it & catch their interest, teaching them what it's all about. Chicks are easier to teach, when I switched the older ones over, it took some time. I did remove all other watering containers & several times a day went out to "play" with the nipples letting it drip/dribble & they'd start pecking but I don't have alot of chickens & have the time to spend in their enclosure. My relaxation time I love the horizontal nipples, keeps the water clean but need to remember the venting.

 

[tigger19687]

If you use the Water Cups in a 5 gal bucket, do you close the lid on tight? Or should you close it but not tight at one end.