I made a 14 gallon waterer

[blackdog043]

I changed out one of my 5 gallon nipple waterers, for this 14 gallon. When I go away for 8 days, the chickens usually have a couple gallons left when I get home. Now I know they will have plenty. I bought the drum new from amazon for $28.74. I took out the seal on the lid so it wasn't air tight and create a vacuum. Here's a link, if anyone is interested. I don't have to rely on anyone to feed and water my chickens, my pop door is open 24/7.

 

[happylittlehens]

That’s great! If you’re in an area that has cold winters...how do you keep it from freezing?

 

[blackdog043]

You can use a stock tank deicer. Here is what I did to run a stock tank deicer cord through my 5 gallon bucket. You could do the same with the lid on the drum. I drilled a 2 inch hole for the computer grommet(it's two pieces), then slit the rubber grommet, so it would go around the cord. Then put the rubber grommet, with cord inside the hole. I don't have a pic with the cord in the grommet. I got both grommets at Lowes.

 

[Mosey2003]

@blackdog043 - I want to bump this up as I've just seen you post about it in another thread. Can you go into a bit more detail for me? Do the horizontal nipples require a vacuum or to be vented? I'm really wanting to set up a larger waterer for both my growouts and my laying flock and I really want something where the rooster isn't dipping his wattles. Could I use something like a trash can with a lid?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[blackdog043]

It needs to be vented some way, even a small hole near the top of a container would work. With the 14 gallon, I took the seal out of the lid, so it wasn't air tight. The 5 gallon buckets have gamma lids. I spin them down, then turn the lid back 1/4 turn so they are vented. You can use a lot of containers for the nipples, as long as it's thick enough so the nipple threads will seal. Something like a gallon milk jug, would probably be to thin. A trash can should work and the lid won't fit tight, so it will be vented. I was actually thinking of using one, but decided to get the drum.

 

[Mosey2003]

Thanks! A trash can would be easier for me to get locally, although I really like your 14 gallon drum.

 

[Tortoise]

I am planning on a 5 gallon waterer. I will only have 2 chickens 3 tops. Was it your 5 gallon that lasted 8 days of you being gone with some water left over?
I'm looking for the same for when I'm gone. I figured 5 gallon waterer and feeder would take care of 2-3 chickens, yes?

 

[Mosey2003]

I can tell you that 5 gallons lasts my laying flock of 12 hens plus 1 cock 3 days on average, so you can extrapolate that...

 

[blackdog043]

I am planning on a 5 gallon waterer. I will only have 2 chickens 3 tops. Was it your 5 gallon that lasted 8 days of you being gone with some water left over?
I'm looking for the same for when I'm gone. I figured 5 gallon waterer and feeder would take care of 2-3 chickens, yes?

I had 10 - 11 gallons of water for 18, with about 2 gal left.