DIY Thread - Let's see your "Inventions".

[perchie.girl]

I've been looking at a LOT of watering systems. Which nipple attachment is best? Saddle, push in or screw in?

I would think the best one would be determined on how the pressure is in your system. IF I were to use them I would choose the screw in kind. Just because I understand the process the best. And I believe it would handle higher pressure as well.

deb

 

[insanity]

I don't let my house get below 40.... the coop is a little cooler than that.

40 in the house My DH would love it but I keep it a bit warmer in the house.

Oz maybe I shoulld move to the islands. We have a high of 10 F today and your temps sound really nice right now.

 

[OScarlet]

Another one who doesn't have to worry about anything freezing (I'm in San Diego where it is currently raining and grey -- boo!). My chickens at various times of the day have access to a water bowl clipped to the fence, nipples, a regular plastic waterer sitting on a paver and automatic cups. They choose whatever they are near and don't seem to have a particular preference so I'm not of the 'nipples are unnatural and should be avoided' crowd. Let's face it, hardware cloth is unnatural, it is natural for chickens to roost in trees and get eaten by predators. Chickens are opportunists and will take food and drink where they find it.

I deal with the wet under waterers by having a concrete paver there. It is porous and soaks up the drips without making the bedding wet.

 

[Aphrael]

I have various types of waterers spread around as well (including a nipple system). I have a few chickens who prefer a bowl or fount and a few who prefer the nipples. But, for the most part, mine also just drink from whatever they are nearest to when they get thirsty.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
I totally agree with you, I cringe whenever I see posts about nipple systems.

I have some of the same concerns over nipple systems. With the regard to the natural way chickens drink.

But I do understand the other point of view. Bowl or waterer cleaning is a daily task and if not maintained as it could affect the health of your birds.

Leakage is a fault of application of the product.... either inferior product or too high pressure or faulty installation process.
That being said I do use an automatic watering system. Built by myself. I use bowls with floats designed for livestock. They handle house hold pressure as well as low pressure delivered by a gravity system. They look clunky but I have never had a failure from the mechanism.

Leakage and water spillage can be addressed by building a wire based platform for the chickens to stand on and drink from. Raising the water up off the floor of the coop by several inches. Then placing gravel or rocks underneath Ideally with a tray under the rocks to deliver spillage down a drain of some sort. This will work for nipple waterers too.

I find the most of the "dirt in the water" issues could be served if I can move the water outside of the coop entirely. Allowing the chickens to drink through bars or wire that wont allow them to put anything in the water trough except heads. Like the waterers they use on brooders for baby chicks at the feed store.

All this is to accomodate my climate my chicken raising operation.... I live where its very hot and dry 100s+ in the summer and very cold and dry 30s in the winter. Even though I see freezing temps at my place it rarely freezes over the water containers

deb

 

[perchie.girl]

I don't let my house get below 40.... the coop is a little cooler than that.

40 Bleeeping degrees.... in the house.....

what do you keep a skating rink in there?

 

[Scott H]

Just kidding perchie....;-)

 

[LindaB220]

I shouldn't have said it's unusable. The nests are still used (kinda...1 egg a day if we're lucky with our 4 layers now that it's gotten cold). Just can't access the nests from the exterior. Not a biggie, but it definitely needs some work. I've never built a thing~ lucky to have hubby who builds what I want. But this was a different summer for us and the coop was a welcome distraction. For my bd last month, he gave me an entire set of cordless tools, so I'm learning!!

Made huge progress a few days ago with weatherstripping & staplegun!

Yea!!! That's how it's done. Just bought an electric screwdriver. Can't wait for better weather to get outside and start my cattle panel hoop coop. I'll still need some help but, you know, I feel great about it.

 

[Leahs Mom]

That being said I do use an automatic watering system. Built by myself. I use bowls with floats designed for livestock. They handle house hold pressure as well as low pressure delivered by a gravity system. They look clunky but I have never had a failure from the mechanism.

Better post some photos

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote: pretty simple Products bought at the feed store I have had horses since 1967 so I am very familiar with how rugged they are.

float valve around 12 bucks


six gallon tub made of recycled car tires again about twelve bucks


I have four or five setups. The beauty is they are reusable for other things if I dont want a waterer. They Do NOT degrade in the sun.... The floats do have a little rubber membrane to seal off the port but I have never had to replace one ever. You can buy replacements though.

deb