Maine

[woods79]

As I am sipping coffee on this cool sunny morning

I am thinking about my coop with feeding and watering. We are going to build some of the PVC feeders, project for my son to do, but was wondering about water. I was looking at getting some of the water nipples but was not sure how they do in the winter here, any one have dome in site on this or can direct me to info on them for winter temps.

 

[LadyCluck77]

Of all the winter watering I've done, I always needed electrical heat to keep it from freezing.
The nipple waterers are great -they do well to keep messes from happening, but I've always had to put one of those aquarium heaters dangling inside the bucket. It needs to be checked frequently for issues such as going dry or leaking, Even then, the nipple device itself sometimes freezes up at -20 and -30. This winter wasn't terrible, and I don't think we saw that this year, but it's Maine so any temperature is possible
I have a metal base heater too, I try to have a couple of back-ups on water, especially in the winter, In the warmer months I just put out rubber hose dishes full of water- but I have like 45 birds who drink water like crazy.

 

[Widget]

How did I end up with four brooders going at the same time? I have five Khaki Campbells in the big brooder. They are ready to go outside but will have to wait for a couple weeks until I finish with the coop revamp. Then I have five Buckeye pullets who are about a month old in another brooder. Add to that the ten Saxony ducklings and six Cascade ducklings that were born this week. And finally the four Bourbon Red poults that I picked up today from Longhorn after they called to say they were in. It could have been worse though. Ideal called yesterday offering to ship the chicks I ordered for the first week of May next week instead. Fortunately the neighbor who is picking them up from the post office for me is not available next week so I had to wait. Otherwise I would be scrambling to set up a fifth brooder.

Spring is most certainly here.

 

[buckabucka]

As I am sipping coffee on this cool sunny morning I am thinking about my coop with feeding and watering. We are going to build some of the PVC feeders, project for my son to do, but was wondering about water. I was looking at getting some of the water nipples but was not sure how they do in the winter here, any one have dome in site on this or can direct me to info on them for winter temps.

I use nipple waterers for half the year, and large heated dog dishes in the winter. It is true what Lady Cluck said about the actual nipple freezing up at low temperatures. I did see a post once about someone who used PVC pipes with nipples along the length. They wrapped the pipe in heat tape, and then made sure the tape came into contact with each individual nipple to prevent freezing. It looked like too much of a hassle to go that route, but it can be done, apparently.

 

[mlowen]

As I am sipping coffee on this cool sunny morning

I am thinking about my coop with feeding and watering. We are going to build some of the PVC feeders, project for my son to do, but was wondering about water. I was looking at getting some of the water nipples but was not sure how they do in the winter here, any one have dome in site on this or can direct me to info on them for winter temps.

I only have 5 birds and no electricity to my coop. I take warm water out each morning in a gallon iced tea jug and put it in a TSC rubber bowl. With plastic around the open areas, it warms up enough for liquid water most of the day. Spring-Fall I use a 5-gallon food-grade bucket with cup waterers. There is a great DIY thread and one by a guy who came up with a DIY heated waterer, if you have electricity. My rubber bowl/gallon jug "invention" is in the DIY thread.

 

[mlowen]

DIY Instructions for Very EASY heated waterer for under $20 bucks

 

[superchemicalgirl]

I run an extension cord up through PVC pipe, across the chicken fence (through a large hole drilled in a 1x2 to keep it elevated, then through hooks in the coop and through a window.

I have a heated water base and a metal waterer on it.

Works great.

 

[BrieCheese23]

Hi everyone! I'm in Acton here. I currently have 27 chicks and 9 quail with duck eggs currently hatching and more quail eggs on the way, plus the egg or two from my mother's easter egger who finally started laying for the summer. Go big or go home, right?

 

[lazy gardener]

Welcome, and enjoy your hatch. Hoping it's a good one.

 

[MainerChick]

So I have a few roosters that are headed to freezer camp in the coming week if I don't suddenly find someone in need of their services. If anyone is looking for one of the following, drop me a note: Easter egger - one black and white, one red/green, Buff Orpingtons, White silkies.

I'm fine with eating chicken, but thought a last minute appeal to the hangman couldn't hurt.

Happy Thursday!