Feed and water bucket critiques/recommendations

[25 chickens]

I'm going to order some of those nipples for the waterer and make another one.

 

[aart]

Quote: Hmmph....why wouldn't they put the dimensions of the product itself??? <shakeshead>

Have you ever measured the temp it keeps the water or the amount of power it used over time?

 

[pdirt]

Hmmph....why wouldn't they put the dimensions of the product itself??? <shakeshead>

Have you ever measured the temp it keeps the water or the amount of power it used over time?

I haven't measured either. I just borrowed a "kill a watt" device but had to return it before I had set up the heated bucket for the winter. But I will tell you this...it certainly is using a LOT less electricity than the aquarium heater. The lowest setting I could set the aquarium heater was about 67F. Every time I opened the bucket with the aquarium heater, the water was steaming and very very warm. The K&H deicer keeps it tepid...it has a built in thermocube-type thing...on at 34 off at 40, or something like that. You could get a similar effect by adding a Thermocube to the aquarium heater, but it was a better deal $$-wise to just use the deicer.

 

[aart]

Quote: Have you used it thru a winter yet?

What ambient temps are you dealing with?

Pics or thread describing your setup?

 

[pdirt]

Have you used it thru a winter yet?

What ambient temps are you dealing with?

Pics or thread describing your setup?

Yes, I used it most of last winter. It can stay below freezing here for weeks. This week it's been a low of 10F every morning but rising to about 30F. Last winter it got down to -9F with this setup, water and nipples stayed free flowing.

There is a thread somewhere, not about my specific setup, but I do discuss it, I'll see if I can find it. No pics yet, but I will take some soon.

 

[pdirt]

Have you used it thru a winter yet?

What ambient temps are you dealing with?

Pics or thread describing your setup?

Some pics:

5 gal bucket wrapped with Reflectix bubble wrap (on the bottom, too) with horizontal nipples

K&H 250w stock tank deicer in bottom of bucket

 

[aart]

Quote: Nice thanks. They don't pick at the bubble wrap?

 

[pdirt]

Nice thanks. They don't pick at the bubble wrap?

Well, now that you mention it, they have made a couple pecks at it. Perhaps because it is shiny. If they continue, I will wrap it with something less shiny. There are about 4 peck spots out of 23 chickens in the 2 weeks it's been set up.

 

[aart]

Quote: I've found that if they get a hold of the edge of something they'll worry it. I use feedbags for various things and they'll pick at the edge unless/until I tack it down good.

 

[25 chickens]

I got the horizontal nipples today and installed them,they screwed right into the existing holes from the cups.