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

[scottcaddy]

Quote:
I have done it, makes things easier if your using something plastic with threads, even the so-called self-cutting types.
Scott

 

[MeepBeep]

Did you actually use a NPT tap to cut threads into the barrel?

Yes, I did,a world of difference screwing them in when tapped even if they are not true pipe threads...

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
makes sense the NPT has a taper and the threads tighten as they screw into the tighter tap.... Out of all the nipple style waterrs I like this one the best. Different heights Water catcher for the drips which Always happen... Excellent idea using a water theater drip tray. ONe of my issues with nipples is the leakage. either through use or through defect...

deb

 

[aart]

Quote: It's amazing how well they screw into 1/8" NPT.

 

[MeepBeep]

It's amazing how well they screw into 1/8" NPT.

Yeah they screw in very well to 1/8" NPT, but it's not an exact match, the actual thread pitch is a little off, as is the taper angle obviously... The thread pitch on the nipples is actually metric M10-1.0 taper/plug pitch, but again the taper angle doesn't match so even if you invested in a metric M10-1.0 taper/plug tap it won't be an exact fit either... In the end 1/8" NPT works find for those in the US...

 

[MeepBeep]

Excellent idea using a water theater drip tray.  ONe of my issues with nipples is the leakage.  either through use or through defect...

The drip pan works very well and was cheap and easy to get locally... The horizontal nipples leak far less than vertical, but that doesn't stop the chickens from missing probably 50% of the water coming out when they drink... Initially I did not have the drop pan, but the excess water was destroying my deep liter around the water barrel and required I constantly rotate that wet litter away from the barrel for dry stuff, the drip pan solved that completely and it's the perfect size for the 55 gallon barrel, about 1" extra all around just enough to catch the drips...

 

[bruceha2000]

It's a used food grade 55 gallon drum, that was free on Craigslist, .......

How many birds do you have? 55 gallons seems a lot given that my 16 girls' water source is a 5 gallon drink "cooler". I pour in a gallon about every week if they aren't out and about drinking from puddles and the pond.

 

[MeepBeep]

It's a used food grade 55 gallon drum, that was free on Craigslist, .......

How many birds do you have? 55 gallons seems a lot given that my 16 girls' water source is a 5 gallon drink "cooler". I pour in a gallon about every week if they aren't out and about drinking from puddles and the pond. 

I have give or take 100 birds, they go through between 5-10 gallons a day depending on the temps and water wasted, the drum will only last about 5 to 7 days between fills... Either way it will work for smaller flocks as well, it will just last longer, since it's mostly sealed the water stays fresh enough...

 

[bruceha2000]

Yep, 100 birds would need a lot more water than 10 or 15! I clean my 5 gallon out in the fall. Being in the dark, nothing actually grows in it. I do get a bit of dust since the top isn't sealed and the barn seems to grow a new crop of dust daily.

 

[MeepBeep]

Yep, 100 birds would need a lot more water than 10 or 15! I clean my 5 gallon out in the fall. Being in the dark, nothing actually grows in it. I do get a bit of dust since the top isn't sealed and the barn seems to grow a new crop of dust daily.

And one thing to note, a lot of nipple sites suggest 1 nipple per every 3-4 bird, and in some hot dry areas or under some conditions that might be preferred... For me personally based on experience I find that 1 nipple to 10 birds is plenty sufficient... Even with a flock of 100 I never see more than say 2-5 birds drinking at any given time, and have never observed them lining up to wait for an open water nipple... But just to be safe, I do have a dozen more nipples on hand and could easily add them if I do ever see them fighting over water...