I need a watering system that will keep my coops dry

[dustponds10]

Well, I have a bunch of birds, I have just been using a dog dish to water them, but it gets the floor wet underneith. The barn has concrete floors so it stays moist. I think I have lost some birds lately because they dont roost and they get cold/wet and then die. So I am looking for your DIY ideas here. I have 4 pens that I need to have automatic water systems on that will keep my coop dry. I have tried the water nipples but I cant find one that actually works with out leaking. Any suggestions on locating such a nipple that doesnt leak would be very appreciated. Other DIY ideas are welcome as well. Please teach and enlighten me. Thanks

 

[BurchFunnyFarm]

Do you have the money to invest in actual chicken waterers? I use a sawed off barrel bottom for my water, but my chickens aren't isolated. When I do use a waterer for my littles I put it on wood blocks so they don't walk through it and spill it.

 

[jetdog]

I used vertical nipples and was not happy with them just for the way they froze in cold weather, I bought the horizontal nipples because they don't hold any water in them to freeze, they don't leak or drip at all, I would highly recommend them they are far better than vertical, I got them from"all bout chickens"

 

[pawtraitart]

Well, I have a bunch of birds, I have just been using a dog dish to water them, but it gets the floor wet underneith. The barn has concrete floors so it stays moist. I think I have lost some birds lately because they dont roost and they get cold/wet and then die. So I am looking for your DIY ideas here. I have 4 pens that I need to have automatic water systems on that will keep my coop dry. I have tried the water nipples but I cant find one that actually works with out leaking. Any suggestions on locating such a nipple that doesnt leak would be very appreciated. Other DIY ideas are welcome as well. Please teach and enlighten me. Thanks

The horizontal nipples are the only way to go. They don't leak and really keep the moisture down. Perfect for DIY projects as they are easy to install. I'm assuming you are watering chickens. They don't work for ducks. Do a search for "horizontal nipples". There are a few folks who sell them in packs of 5, 10, 20, or 50.




Can you make some lower roosts for your birds? I have some heavily feathered polish hens that won't fly up on a roost so I made a lower roosting bar and they love it.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Wet bedding is a breeding ground for coccidia and fungus. In winter it raises humidity which causes frostbite.

If you do use open containers, things will improve if you put it up on something so the rim is about the height of the chickens' backs.

A small plastic 2 1/2 quart paint bucket is about $1.50 at HD and Lowe's and is the perfect height.

 

[dustponds10]

Are these horizontal waters something that I could mount to PVC? I have a ton of birds in individual pens

 

[dustponds10]

the majority of my birds are roosters that are in individual pens and they do not have roosts. I am wanting to figure out a way in which I can not have wet floors anymore. I do have group pens and in these I am going to use a small bucket that hangs from the outside and the nipple is on the inside of the pen, so I dont have to go in to water them. Well this is my hope if I can get these to mount on PVC

 

[BurchFunnyFarm]

If you have a ton of birds I suggest you spend a little money and invest in waterers before a sickness spreads through your flock. Either buy the standard waterers or get your tool belt on and build waterers and install the nipples. Consider that whatever you choose needs to be able to be cleaned regularly and easily. Lots of farm stores sell ready to go waterers fairly cheap.

 

[dustponds10]

Thanks, I am looking to build a line of waters, with the horizontal nipples if they will work with the idea that I have. Thanks for you help

 

[BurchFunnyFarm]

Like I said, just make sure it is something you can clean regularly and easily before you go all out. I messed with three different waterer ideas and when it warmed up they got nasty fast and I had to go through so much to clean them that I ended up just buying waterers.