Has anyone used a rain water gathering system to

[Pagan Prince]

Rainwater harvesting has been used by hundreds of billions of people in 3rd world countries for centuries. That is their only source of water in many cases, and they use it for all their needs. It was used in this country prior to the invention of piped plumbing and the ever important 'Water Usage Fee'.
Rainwater harvesting is being put into use more and more these days in thsi country. One day in our lifetimes, I will expect to see the majority of new homes using these systems completely.
There are also gray water recycling systems being installed in homes all over the world. Water from sinks and showers, etc. is collected in a holding tank, filtered, and reused using a separate piping system to not conjoin it with fresh water piping. The gray water is then used to flush toilets, landscaping, etc.
Fresh water is a precious, natural resource that we must think of in terms of 'liquid gold'.
Only .4% of all the water in the world is available for drinking.
Collect it, store it, reuse it, in any way you can. Try to think of using tap water, only when no other source is available, and for drinking of course (I filter mine for drinking).
My water bill is not much, maybe $30-40/month. When I was out of the country for 2 months, I noticed my water bill was still $25/mo. I went to the water company and asked how this could be. I was told that $25/mo. is the Water Usage Fee (simply charged for being connected, lol) and taxes, surcharges etc.
So, my actual usage of water each month is 0nly $5-15/mo. Therefore I pay more each month just to be connected, than I do for actual water.

Realy well said ! jmho​

 

[prairiehen74369]

Ok my friend you are concerning yourself with some issues that aren't practical get your chicks home and take care of them to suit yourself and you will find that they are not as particular as you are and have no ill effects because of it. Enjoy

 

[GeneJordan]

Went to a Hobby Farm yesterday to pick up my wife's pigmy goat. I want a hobby farm, and used the experience as a learning field trip.

My first thought was, "to someone who didn't know, they would think the farm was dirty and the animals were being neglected"

I saw how they lived in that video Food Inc., and let me tell you... this place was very clean.

They all drank out of a pond that was a hole in the ground (where ducks were swimming and crapping), so I think roof runoff is no big deal.

Mary and Jolie

Check out the video of the hobby farm, and you will see.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
I loved the video. Thanks for posting. If you are ever in my area, let me know, so that you can come over and visit.

 

[Pagan Prince]

I am sitting here with my 11 year old son in amazment.

What a great Hobby farm ! Firstly I pointed out the high population and diversity and we discused the problems for a moment... I then pointed out how well the owners must tend thier animals. The ground was VERY good for so many animals to have been on it and still looked so clean and animals happy and well tended.

I then watched the chook drink .... Uckkk ! rofl.

The boys off to play on the Wii .....

I've had ducks and goats before ..... The goats are fine ... but the ducks used to foul the water a LOT. A farm yard that close to a pond (Efluence run off ?), without much in the way of drinking water other than the pond? I noticed the big buckets in the stables and the trough in the yard, but also a couple of beasties that wouldn't be able to get that high and would have no option but the pond .

Please tell me the video missed those water sources Drinking vessels for chooks ...... That pond was rank .... It apeared to be supplied by a series of hoses.... not a spring/stream in sight. Chooks can be stupid and drink fouled water but not if they have good other options ??. (jmho)

Those animals have thier own inoculation/hardening prog. If thier water source is as risky as it mght be ... only you know.... They'll live forever if they get past 6 months...... Nothing will harm them. JMHO

 

[Moabite]

Great thread! Don't forget to cover the tops of your collection barrels least you bread mosquitoes. It only takes a week in most locations (most species in the US) to go from egg to flying adult. If you live in So. Cal or S. AZ, there is a species that matures in 4 days. Just a heads up, carry on.

 

[Pagan Prince]

Great thread! Don't forget to cover the tops of your collection barrels least you bread mosquitoes. It only takes a week in most locations (most species in the US) to go from egg to flying adult. If you live in So. Cal or S. AZ, there is a species that matures in 4 days. Just a heads up, carry on.

I put a loose top on my barrel, does nothing. I'll try the suggestion of olive oil to combat the little blighters... not that they are a major problem over here. (UK ... Little threat. Just a pain. The fish and (My) chooks even seem to like them ?!)​

 

[Moabite]

Here is an option that you can do: http://www.zonagardens.com/docs/rainwater/ZonaGardens_WaterHarvestingDiagram_Instructions.pdf.

The pic needs rotated 90 deg. clockwise. It took me a few seconds to figure it out.

 

[GeneJordan]

Quote:
There was a lot of water in many various sources, and the pond was mainly for swimming. The pond had no foul smell (in fact the whole yard had no where near the smell you would expect), it might look rank, but that is good old Louisiana pond water. We are not blessed with the clear lakes of Minnesota...

The hoses appeared to be connected to a water well, so they came fresh from the ground to the ground... lol

 

[GeneJordan]

Quote:
I would love to (and I know for sure my 11to would also). We are in the early building stage of this Hobby Farm, and have a nice clean canvas to paint on. I am finding myself noticing all kinds of things that I want to do.