Great waterer and feeder

[CoreyN]

This is a great idea. Can anyone tell me where I can find the red cups on the ends of the PVC pipe? Thanks so much

 

[Blueskat]

http://www.strombergschickens.com/p...inker-cup-system/automatic-drinker-cup-system

This is a 5 pack that I got. Note that water does not stay in cup. After they learn how to use them they will go back and peck at it and water comes out. Just keep water in them for a few days and they will figure it out. By having the 5 down pipes if one cup breaks you still have water in the other 4 pipes. My cups are a year old and not one problem.

 

[Scooter1978]

What size pipe and what size holes in the feeder?

 

[Blueskat]

The feeder was made from a 4 inch drain pipe and 1 elbow with 1 cap for the top. The holes were made big enough so they could get their head in but, not there feet (If they get feet in they will pull all the feed out) The holes were drilled slightly of center of top yo help keep rain out. I can measure the holes if you want me to. Make sure you put a cap on the top. I has a squirrel get in and could not get out. I found it after a couple days in 100 degree weather. WOW not good!

 

[dsnyder]

Awesome water feeder.

 

[bstromgren]

 

[luke dwyer]

will that work on turkies

 

[Muzungu Josh]

You can save yourself some considerable materials cost on your drinkers.

This pic shows nipple drinkers screwed into a 3/4 inch PVC pipe which you can connect to the tank of your choice.

The nipples cost about $00.17 a piece when I bought a bag of 100 off eBay. I've been told nipples are the standard for commercial poultry rearing. My friend also used these for rabbits.

Baby chicks learn to use them in just a couple hours. Older chickens take longer, probably because they're not as curious.

 

[chickenfam5]

could you tell us the exact materials you used and how you did it roughly?

 

[Muzungu Josh]

I used 3/4 inch pipe. You can drill and thread holes for the nipples, but drilling and sealing with epoxy is faster and less likely to leak. Then, I attached a hose to a spigot on a jerry can, but any container would work.

My drinkers don't leak, but the birds are messy and the litter under the drinkers is getting too wet. This may be because my water pressure is too high. I've been reading that a pressure regulator is recommended to keep the pressure to about 1/4 psi, but I can't find it locally in Uganda and won't be around long enough to justify ordering one. You get about 1 psi if the water if your tank rises to about 2 ft above the nipples. Managing the pressure by keeping the water level below 6 inches wouldn't be practical for me.

Maybe the cups are a better idea because they don't have the same pressure restrictions. If more water comes out than the bird an drink, it goes in the cup. But regardless of what you use, you don't need to spend a fortune on large diameter PVC pipe. A length of 3/4 inch pipe, a hose, a tank, and maybe a pressure regulator, plus the nipples/cups should be all you need.