Home-grown watering - pics and math

[GhostRider65]

Cool Idea,
probably wouldn't work here in Wisconsin ( frozen Wasteland in the winter -30 or below) LOL except during the summer but cool anyway. Kim

 

[AlienChick]

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Can't wait to see pics!

 

[cptbahama]

There doesn't need to be a specific amount of water in the "tank" to keep the nipples working. But it did finally get cold enough and they froze solid. I had to carry water out those two nights. I never tried the heat tape. I am going to return it. I just don't see how it would heat the water enough to keep it from freezing. The water droplets on the end of the nipples freeze and then it's toast. I don't think the temp of the water in the tank would prevent that warm or not.
But...they did take right to the nipples in a matter of minutes.

 

[ajlynco]

Put an aquarium heater inside the pipe, running the cord out a hole drilled and siliconed in the 90* elbow cap
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[Holly0]

I am thinking of making the watering system you developed. I really admire your ingenuity. Did you ever have a problem with the nipples freezing? Did you end up using the heat tape and if so how did it all work?

 

[3forfree]

Ok, So I finished my PVC waterer today and it turned out great. I got a 6 ft pipe cable heater and taped it on the side and pluged it into my outlet. I mounted it about 24" of the ground and filled it up. It tokk the girls about 5 min of looking at it before they figured it out. I'm thinking I will only have to fill this up once every four days. I made mine out of 6" pvc so it would hold more.
Thanks for the idea. I will post pictures soon.

So, how are things working out? Does the heater work, I know that we haven't had much cold weather or snow, but it's been cold the last couple of nights, has your water froze.

 

[cptbahama]

I got an anonymous email asking me if I used teflon thread tape on the poultry nipples. No I did not. They don't leak.

 

[Izzymoon]

early on when they were a week old I'd dip my finger in the water and hold it over their beaks and they readily drank from the drop, so I think they'd figure out quickly where the water is coming from. They are very curious

 

[hunter109]

that is cool i was going to do the same thing but put gutters on my coop and naboiring building and run a pipe to my big trought for water

 

[wowmanacat]

I am loving this idea and am thinking of using it as my waterier keep getting very dirty with all the dirt baths the chickens take in there pen. I am concerned of freezing for it get a bit cold here in AR. Has anyone made this and used the inside heater for fish aquariums? did it work and if so what all did you do?