Got my chicken nipples installed

[Papakeith]

It only took a few weeks for me to tire of filling a one gallon water feeder twice a day. I decided to give nipples a chance. Since I'm out there with a hose filling horse buckets anyway I think the nipple setup will make life a bit easier with (hopefully) less waste.

Anyway here is the setup.

It took about 30 seconds to get the first hen to start pecking away at it. I checked just now and at least 5 of the 12 took a drink while I was there.

 

[redhen689]

Nice! I have thought of doing something similar.
Do you have a way to keep it from freezing up?

 

[CarolJ]

So glad you posted photos. I got all the supplies (PVC, bucket, nipples) earlier this week - and just have to get it set up. It really helps to see your photos. So glad it's working out for you.

 

[Melissa Rose]

I just switched to the nipples too and in 5 minutes or less they were all using them

 

[Papakeith]

Quote:
I've got two ideas. The first is to use an electric pipe heater tape. I have one on hand and it should be long enough to route down the pipe and around the bucket a time or two.
The other is to insulate the pipe and use a submersible bucket heater.

 

[CountryCentinel]

Progress intelligently planned... Well done!

 

[<3 N.C Chicken Chick <3]

Cool, what did you use to keep pipes togeather (glue, silicone) Where did you get the red chicken nipple thingies? I'am verry intersted.

 

[Papakeith]

I glued the PVC with purple primer and solvent cement glue.

The nipples are the push in type, and I got them from Farmtek. While they say drip free (and they don't), the girls are still making a little bit of a mess. I may end up putting some sort of spash screen and drip pan just to keep the wood from being soaked all day every day.

 

[CupOJoe42]

I bought the screw in 360 degree nipples from QC Supply. Still waiting for my DH (a plumber!) to install them!