Large Open Coop with Covered Run Design & Build with Costs and Pics

[Missceegee]

I’m going to build a waterer with a pressure reducer from the spigot to run to a pvc line. I’m debating nipples or cups. While I prefer nipples because less mess and cleaner water, the chickens do drink more from cups. With it being so hot, more water is better. Thoughts? Comments?

 

[3KillerBs]

I’m going to build a waterer with a pressure reducer from the spigot to run to a pvc line. I’m debating nipples or cups. While I prefer nipples because less mess and cleaner water, the chickens do drink more from cups. With it being so hot, more water is better. Thoughts? Comments?

IIRC, it was @aart who measured water consumption from different waterers and found that chickens drank the same regardless of the waterer style.

The great thing about horizontal nipples is that they are CLEAN.

 

[aart]

IIRC, it was @aart who measured water consumption from different waterers and found that chickens drank the same regardless of the waterer style.

The great thing about horizontal nipples is that they are CLEAN.

Yes.
I measure stuff, so had kept track of how much water they consumed out of the open waterer just out of curiosity.
Just because they exult in an open waterer when it's presented,
does not mean they are deprived with the nipples.

 

[Missceegee]

IIRC, it was @aart who measured water consumption from different waterers and found that chickens drank the same regardless of the waterer style.

The great thing about horizontal nipples is that they are CLEAN.

I like to measure things, too. Guess I’m in good company.

I’ve only had chickens since January, but mine drink about 1/4 more water with cups compared to vertical nipples.

I tried for 2 weeks to train to horizontal nipples back in May or so and they simply did not drink. Whether used to cups or stubborn or dumb, I don’t know, but they would not use them despite many tricks. So we built their mobile cluck wagon with vertical nipples inside and out and they drank from them easily enough, but when summer 100° temps hit, I gave them extra waterers with horizontal nipples. No dice. Switched for cups and the guzzle the water. Maybe mine are dumber than most, I don’t know.

 

[Missceegee]

I was able to arrange the electric net fence around the auto door. I’ll get a picture later. It’s open. I put a couple out but they went right back in. Silly birds.

 

[aart]

I’ve only had chickens since January, but mine drink about 1/4 more water with cups compared to vertical nipples.

How did you measure?
How long did you measure?

I would think you'd use more water with the typically leaky vertical nipples than the cups.

 

[Missceegee]

How did you measure?
How long did you measure?

I would think you'd use more water with the typically leaky vertical nipples than the cups.

My waterers at the time were 5 gallon buckets with 4 holes each. I had cups from the beginning (after failed horizontal nipples) and in late May and early June over a two week period in about 4 days they drank a little over 3 gallons before I emptied and refilled. We switched to the nipples on the cluck wagon - 8 nipples in and 10 out. The reservoir used held 15 gallons. Every 4 days, they drank about 2.5 -2.75 gallons despite it being even hotter. So I added the buckets back with nipple and cup combo and quit paying so close attention. Now I’m trying to decide for the new big coop which will work best. I may try a mix of cups and horizontal nipples. The vertical ones from across supply didn’t really leak, but if they had it wouldn’t have been an issue in the mobile cluck wagon without a solid floor and no bedding but I could see it definitely being a problem with Deep bedding.

the 7 week old chicks have vertical nipples in the brooder house. I want them to move into the big coop this week.

 

[aart]

Every 4 days, they drank about 2.5 -2.75 gallons despite it being even hotter.

Did you mark gallon graduations on the containers?

 

[Missceegee]

Sorry I had to type in parts and add to it as I could because my phone is glitchy.

 

[Missceegee]

Did you mark gallon graduations on the containers?

I meant to answer the how before. I measured the remaining water using a marked pitcher when I emptied the containers though marking would have been simpler in hindsight. ETA - this is when my family dubbed me the crazy chicken lady.

My only goal now is making every single thing as simple to take care of of on an ongoing basis as possible while making sure they have enough with our heat. I added a bell shaped waterer with electrolytes every couple days for extra to this coop and the little brooder coop and the meat birds. This heat is no joke.