we bought a "timer" that connects to your outside faucet,,and as it turns,, the "slides"(just a thing ya stick in to tell it to start) stick in it,,1 for when ya want it to go on,, another for when you want it to go off,,,,,i dont get inside their coop wet,, but spray the top so its just like raining,, and 1 in the yard ,,they love it!!