INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

Pics
Date sort Score sort
Leahs Mom said:
This is how I taught them how to work the cup waterers:

In the photo you can see the yellow "nipple trigger". When this nipple is moved to the side, up or down, it releases water - just like the regular nipple waterers.

When I first got these, I'd trip the trigger (by holding it down or to the side) and let the cup fill all the way with water. Then I tapped on the cups to show them where the water was. When they started drinking, they stick their beak in there in such a way that it pushes against the nipple trigger and more water is released. At first I would fill them up whenever I was out there (this was during warm weather so there was no issue with water freezing in the cups). Even though they knew there was water in there pretty much right away, I kept filling the cups with water whenever I was out for about 2 weeks. I kept observing to see that they were drinking even if there wasn't any water in the cups. They were. They really leaned to use them in less than a day.
LL


LL


No one taught this 5 week old baby that there was water in there. He just leaned by observing mom and the others - and was probably curiously drawn by the colors.


Click to expand...
I really love this setup. I sure have plenty of fish tank heaters and 5 gallon buckets too! I scaled my fish back (pun intended) to one 75 gallon tank, just keep my oscars and a pleco. have a 20 gal long with a catfish, dino, and knife in it. So i have several heaters i can use. I have the newer type that don't "explode" too. We are never gone during the winter so i will give it a shot.
 
The only issue with aquarium heaters is they have to remain a certain level in the water, too much water loss, and they burn out. (Personal experience with this happening more than once, although not using them for chickens or fish)

Now most people check everyday anyway, so not really a big deal, but it can happen! Water just a few degrees warmer than outside air evaporates quicker, get a mass exodus of chickens all deciding they all wanna drink NOW can in theory, drop the level enough to expose the glass tube to the point of burn out.

What I did to get around that is to put the heater in a bucket, and place that bucket into another bucket. (Doesn't have to be a bucket per se,) but if the main drinking water level drops, the heater will still be submersed adaquately. Also, such a contraption will also keep any "shock hazard" insulated inside the heater bucket, and not in the drinking water. Although I would assume the breaker/fuse would blow before a chicken was fried, but if the short were to happen when they were drinking you just might(even though extremely unlikely) end up with a precooked meal.
 
DeepFriedBacon said:
The only issue with aquarium heaters is they have to remain a certain level in the water, too much water loss, and they burn out. (Personal experience with this happening more than once, although not using them for chickens or fish)

Now most people check everyday anyway, so not really a big deal, but it can happen! Water just a few degrees warmer than outside air evaporates quicker, get a mass exodus of chickens all deciding they all wanna drink NOW can in theory, drop the level enough to expose the glass tube to the point of burn out.

What I did to get around that is to put the heater in a bucket, and place that bucket into another bucket. (Doesn't have to be a bucket per se,) but if the main drinking water level drops, the heater will still be submersed adaquately. Also, such a contraption will also keep any "shock hazard" insulated inside the heater bucket, and not in the drinking water. Although I would assume the breaker/fuse would blow before a chicken was fried, but if the short were to happen when they were drinking you just might(even though extremely unlikely) end up with a precooked meal.
Click to expand...

I use the submersible aquarium water heaters. They work great for me.
 
Im in NW Indiana. Rensselaer 47978

I have Ameraucanas, Salmon Faverolles and A nice colorful mix of other various breeds. Im wanting to get into Standard Cochins. Anyone close to me?
 
SassyChix said:
Im in NW Indiana. Rensselaer 47978

I have Ameraucanas, Salmon Faverolles and A nice colorful mix of other various breeds. Im wanting to get into Standard Cochins. Anyone close to me?
Click to expand...

welcome-byc.gif
and glad you have joined the thread!
frow.gif
we will add you on the member list, and if you click the link in my signature you can see who is nearby.
 
Cluckacres, I'm sure they do, I've used them for years in a propagation dome, however, there were 2 incidents were for one reason or the other where the water level had dropped below the minimum line marked on the tube and they burnt out. Not a huge deal, they aren't overly expensive, but there is a risk, albiet a slight one, but a risk nonetheless. If they overheat enough they actually can crack the glass tube, and if that happens before the element burns out there's a small chance of zappage. Granted the chicken would have to be drinking at the same exact moment that quite specific scenario plays out to get a shock.

I just wanted to share a quite simple method of reducing both risks to pretty much zero ( noting that these risks are already pretty insignificant).

But if there is any reason what so ever you might have to be away from your homestead for more than a day or two, and there's a million reasons that can happen, simplymaking a contraption that separates and insulates the heater from the drinking water is just an extra little dose of security.

My contraption was simply a novelty shotglass, a square piece of foil 3"x3" and a rubberband. The last heater I bought I still have. I'm sure many have ones that have worked for years without any misshaps.
 

Similar threads

Chickendilly
    • Like
Stumbling Silkie - a recovery story (link to podcast about her)
Replies
2
Views
200
Wyorp Rock
Wyorp Rock
bearcreekbees
    • Like
How much fat is too much in layer ration?
Replies
3
Views
2K
U_Stormcrow
U_Stormcrow
oldhenlikesdogs
    • Love
    • Like
Ended Cutest Baby Fowl Photo Contest—Win a Brinsea Maxi 24 EX Connect—16th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-Along
112 113 114
Replies
1K
Views
66K
Debbie292d
Debbie292d
PBAndAlice
Hen starved and I'm not sure why
Replies
3
Views
714
Eggcessive
Eggcessive
orgainsect
    • Like
    • Love
Turkey Farming: The Integration of Tradition and Modernity
Replies
4
Views
2K
R2elk
R2elk

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom