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

[RoseMarie1]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/746195/pvc-feeder/10 There are some pretty neat ideas on this thread.

THANK YOU! Hopefully I can find it on here! Just need to see how they made it so I can see if I have the PVC connections. Thanx!!!

 

[slagartist]

Had them on Long Island when I was a child, we knew them by either name but Lightning bug was most commonly used. My wife got to see them on our visits back there.....my children, not sure as I was often unable to go back with them to visit because of work. I'll have to ask my siblings if they're still fairly common.

I grew up in Downtown Philly, and we used to even get them there... not any more, though. I did some research, and while people aren't sure, the most scientifically supported theory is light pollution is killing them off. They use light to communicate, so the more light we create, the harder it is for them to find each other and mate. I think they're actually "endangered". Very sad

Help the fireflies! Turn off your lights at night!

 

[ozexpat]

I grew up in Downtown Philly, and we used to even get them there... not any more, though. I did some research, and while people aren't sure, the most scientifically supported theory is light pollution is killing them off. They use light to communicate, so the more light we create, the harder it is for them to find each other and mate. I think they're actually "endangered". Very sad

Help the fireflies! Turn off your lights at night!

yeah just use your lights during the day. lol sorry

I actually agree with you. We use way too much wasted energy on lighting nothing. millions of watts are used on unneeded lansdscape lighting to keep up with the jonses.

 

[PrimroseMom1]

yeah just use your lights during the day. lol sorry

I actually agree with you. We use way too much wasted energy on lighting nothing. millions of watts are used on unneeded lansdscape lighting to keep up with the jonses.

There's a lot of classy landscaping lighting that is solar and cheap these days. I got a strong chicken yard movement sensor solar light at Harbour Freight for about $12.

 

[slagartist]

There's a lot of classy landscaping lighting that is solar and cheap these days. I got a strong chicken yard movement sensor solar light at Harbour Freight for about $12.

Er... lol, we were actually talking about light pollution leading to the decline in firefly populations (a little offtopic, someone else brought it up), not efficient/low-cost lighting. Solar-powered or not, it still causes light pollution. But it's less people using tiny lights for their coops and more people having HUGE FLOODLIGHTS without timers, and expanding cities, etc.

But, on that note, I plan to use solar powered lights for our coop.

 

[PrimroseMom1]

Er... lol, we were actually talking about light pollution leading to the decline in firefly populations (a little offtopic, someone else brought it up), not efficient/low-cost lighting. Solar-powered or not, it still causes light pollution. But it's less people using tiny lights for their coops and more people having HUGE FLOODLIGHTS without timers, and expanding cities, etc.

But, on that note, I plan to use solar powered lights for our coop.

Well, as Roseanne Roseannadanna (compliments of the brilliant Gilda Radner) would say after expounding on the wrong topic: "never mind ". Lol

 

[Bens-Hens]

Again, not an invention, but a nipple drinker I just finished yesterday. Although, nothing ever seems to be finished when you are talking home projects and animals lol.

Started with two of these bulk olive supply drums (sourced for free from a caterer. I fitted a drum flange from the hardware (about $9) comes with a male and female and two rubber washers. Screwed in the PVC adapter and a length of PVC.


I used some fish tank 6mm PVC tube and two electrical gland fittings to add this level indicator. Can see the remaining water without opening it up. When the hose get's grimy, can just unscrew the glands and replace it.


Originally planned to have a drum on each end, doubling the water capacity, but due to run space, I reduced it down to one. The spare parts will be used to make a second shorter pipe for our grow out mobile coop.


Here is is fitted in place with two nipple drinkers attached. It may still be too high, so trying to teach and watch the birds to see if it needs to come down a bit more. The ground also has a slope to it, so the drum end is lower than the blank end to try accommodate different height birds.

 

[Sweetpea3829]

I grew up in Downtown Philly, and we used to even get them there... not any more, though. I did some research, and while people aren't sure, the most scientifically supported theory is light pollution is killing them off. They use light to communicate, so the more light we create, the harder it is for them to find each other and mate. I think they're actually "endangered". Very sad

Help the fireflies! Turn off your lights at night!

Oh gosh, they're not endangered here...lol. We have hundreds...thousands even. But our country area is very dark...not even street lights. When they're at their peak, our fields literally sparkle.

 

[ozexpat]

Again, not an invention, but a nipple drinker I just finished yesterday. Although, nothing ever seems to be finished when you are talking home projects and animals lol.

Started with two of these bulk olive supply drums (sourced for free from a caterer. I fitted a drum flange from the hardware (about $9) comes with a male and female and two rubber washers. Screwed in the PVC adapter and a length of PVC.


I used some fish tank 6mm PVC tube and two electrical gland fittings to add this level indicator. Can see the remaining water without opening it up. When the hose get's grimy, can just unscrew the glands and replace it.


Originally planned to have a drum on each end, doubling the water capacity, but due to run space, I reduced it down to one. The spare parts will be used to make a second shorter pipe for our grow out mobile coop.


Here is is fitted in place with two nipple drinkers attached. It may still be too high, so trying to teach and watch the birds to see if it needs to come down a bit more. The ground also has a slope to it, so the drum end is lower than the blank end to try accommodate different height birds.

Great job

I have 50 nipples i bought on ebay. I am hoping to get something built while I am in the Philippines for the 3 1/2 days that bernie can use as a prototype.

I am going to use pipe feeders as well. Our chicken population is going to explode by Christmas

 

[Chambertin]

Most often the best inventions are the most simple.
Great stuff as usual everyone.

Michigan has been inundated with bugs that make their butt glow (good international title) so if you've never seen come on over.