DIY chicken waterer

[Farmerwife1]

My husband has decided the best way to keep the chickens water from freezing in the winter is to keep the water moving. We live on a farm and have trees around the edge of our yard. So, he thought he would mount pvc pipe in the coop with the water nipples, hook a hose to it and let it run through and water our trees at the same time. Has anyone done this and if so, we would love it if you would share info on what you thought and how you did it.

 

[paneubert]

That sounds like a LOT of water being wasted. Are you on a well?

 

[Farmerwife1]

That sounds like a LOT of water being wasted. Are you on a well?

Yes we are! Not wasted! We live in Eastern Oregon (a Desert) and the trees need watered anyway.

 

[aart]

That sounds like a LOT of water being wasted.

Agrees.

Running water 24/7 seems wasteful (trees don't need that much water) and no guarantee it won't freeze depending on temps/flow/etc.

Will you use horizontal or vertical nipples?
How many birds do you have?

 

[aligarysmom]

I have a general question. Are you planning on just leaving it at a trickle? Because the verticle nipples may not work under pressure. I know for sure they don’t under negative pressure.

 

[Farmerwife1]

Well, I hate to disagree about trees and water, but we do live in a desert and the water would be flowing very slowly. the nipples would be horizontal. We get 9" inches of rain in a year.

 

[Farmerwife1]

I have a general question. Are you planning on just leaving it at a trickle? Because the verticle nipples may not work under pressure. I know for sure they don’t under negative pressure.

The water would not be on full blast. We would not be using vertical nipples.

 

[aart]

Well, I hate to disagree about trees and water, but we do live in a desert and the water would be flowing very slowly. the nipples would be horizontal. We get 9" inches of rain in a year.

I think you'd have to keep the run of pipe with nipples lower than the inlet and outlet of hose so it would stay full. Might work fine...never heard of anyone free running water like that.

Also wonders how it will effect your well pump...lots of on and off.

 

[pennyJo1960]

My husband has decided the best way to keep the chickens water from freezing in the winter is to keep the water moving. We live on a farm and have trees around the edge of our yard. So, he thought he would mount pvc pipe in the coop with the water nipples, hook a hose to it and let it run through and water our trees at the same time. Has anyone done this and if so, we would love it if you would share info on what you thought and how you did it.

Only thought is endless water supply or drain the well if you use horizontal nipples they are the best and order them from amazon 5 gallon bucket with standard tank heater will not never freeze only on when cold

 

[pennyJo1960]

Vertical nipples fail often in my use