You should be in better shape in regards to heat than I would be down here in Dixie.
As I said, give it a shot!
The leakage isn't so much the nipples leaking while sitting static/un-used. The problem is when the chickens drink from the nipples and too much water possibly comes out for them to catch all of it...the rest of the water goes onto the litter which isn't good in your cold climate in regards to frostbite.
If you do find that you have an issue with this there are pressure-reducers out there that you can install and lower the pressure to the nipples. Here is one located on GQF's website: 4008 Adjustable Pressure Reducing Valve w/ Gauge And another one on Farmtek's website: Flow Master Pressure Regulator - 0-10 lb.
There is still an issue of the weight of the water. I'm not sure where your overflow pipe is located, but if you fill the barrel up completely you are looking at 250 pounds sitting on those two 2x4's. Over time the weight could actually begin to spread those 2x4's outward from each other. Maybe nailing some short 2x4's across the top and bottom of the barrel support 2x4's...just past each end of the barrel? It may not be an issue but we're talking about years of intended service here.
In the wide angle shot of the supply pipe and nipples one of the horizontal barrel support 2x4's has a cripple stud under the horizontal piece that it's resting on while the other barrel support 2x4 doesn't have a cripple stud underneath...might be an area of "sag" later on. I would want a cripple stud under any end of a 2x4 that supports the barrel.
No supports directly under the barrel still bug me.
One other thing I'd like to throw at you
is...in the horizontal piece that actually holds the nipples do you have a way to drain the system there? Silt and debris will eventually build up in that section of the system and will need to be flushed to keep the nipples working correctly.
I can barely see the smaller vertical pipe that is going up the wall to fill the barrel with. I can't see where it enters the barrel, though I can see a bung at the top of the barrel. Is this where the supply line enters the barrel? If it is, you're only going to be able to use the water at the outside spigot until the level gets down to that point aren't you?
Just some thoughts...
Your chickens have a very nice coop to live in. Nice work!
Best wishes,
Ed
ETA: Clarify the last paragraph a bit.
The leakage isn't so much the nipples leaking while sitting static/un-used. The problem is when the chickens drink from the nipples and too much water possibly comes out for them to catch all of it...the rest of the water goes onto the litter which isn't good in your cold climate in regards to frostbite.
If you do find that you have an issue with this there are pressure-reducers out there that you can install and lower the pressure to the nipples. Here is one located on GQF's website: 4008 Adjustable Pressure Reducing Valve w/ Gauge And another one on Farmtek's website: Flow Master Pressure Regulator - 0-10 lb.
There is still an issue of the weight of the water. I'm not sure where your overflow pipe is located, but if you fill the barrel up completely you are looking at 250 pounds sitting on those two 2x4's. Over time the weight could actually begin to spread those 2x4's outward from each other. Maybe nailing some short 2x4's across the top and bottom of the barrel support 2x4's...just past each end of the barrel? It may not be an issue but we're talking about years of intended service here.
In the wide angle shot of the supply pipe and nipples one of the horizontal barrel support 2x4's has a cripple stud under the horizontal piece that it's resting on while the other barrel support 2x4 doesn't have a cripple stud underneath...might be an area of "sag" later on. I would want a cripple stud under any end of a 2x4 that supports the barrel.
No supports directly under the barrel still bug me.
One other thing I'd like to throw at you
I can barely see the smaller vertical pipe that is going up the wall to fill the barrel with. I can't see where it enters the barrel, though I can see a bung at the top of the barrel. Is this where the supply line enters the barrel? If it is, you're only going to be able to use the water at the outside spigot until the level gets down to that point aren't you?
Just some thoughts...
Your chickens have a very nice coop to live in. Nice work!
Best wishes,
Ed
ETA: Clarify the last paragraph a bit.
Last edited:
