Meyer Hatchery Chicken pics anyone??

[MamaShell]

So we had a visitor last night. Our dog, Maxie was going crazy barking at something in the dark. We went out and there was a copperhead crawling through the garden. She gave it room to move on through. We were worried she would try to kill it, but she gave it respect. We left it alone too. It can take care of the voles, moles, mice and rats for us. I did however make sure there were no small holes anywhere in the run or coop for it to get in.

That's scary. I'm glad your dog sounded the alarm for you and you didn't stumble upon it. Literally!

 

[Eepster]

We have a nipple system, too. Our coop is a little ways from our house, so we had to improvise. We have a rain barrel on the outside of the coop. I'm not sure of our roof area, but the chicken coop is 10x10 ft. We drilled a hole in the chicken coop and a PVC pipe runs through the chicken coop. The PVC pipe is supported by a chain suspended from the ceiling. The nipples are drilled into the PVC pipe and calked up. This only works spring through fall. We have to take the pipe out and drain the barrel in the winter. The only complaint is that there is a lot of spilled water in the coop.

 

[NanaLynn]

here is a shot of our BO roo's. They get along really well and we consider them brothers, raised together. Oh and they are fairly friendly.

pretty boys

 

[NanaLynn]

There are so many different configurations and add on items that it is really best to go to the website and figure out what will work best for your flock!

http://chickenfountain.com/

If you have any questions, feel free to submit a question through the comments section & you will get a very speedy reply - usually the same day, or at the latest 24 hrs...that has been my experience.

Turns out we're in the same city as the Chicken Fountain guy. Small world.

 

[NanaLynn]

My hose is way too far from my coop to hook up to a waterer. So, I have a 5 gallon pail that I refill with gallon jugs. A little more cumbersome but definitely better than filling and cleaning the regular water jugs all the time. I have a short braided hose coming from the bottom of the bucket to the PVC pipe.

I think I will make one with the nipples directly on the bottom of the bucket for inside the coop for winter. I could insulate the pipe and heat the water in the bucket but heating that braided hose would be tough.

By the way, if you do use a bucket, get a screw on lid for your 5 gallon bucket. It will make it so much easier to refill. They sell them at Home Depot or Lowes along side of the buckets!

oh wow, thanks for the pics. I did not realize there were screw on lids?! So neat. I did originally have a 5 gallon bucket with the nipples, plus I tried the cups on a bucket, so I have those too. I may experiment and see if I can get them used to the nipples or the cups again. Work with the equipment I have first before spending more money. I am going to try out that lid though. I hope it does not cost too much.
If I can get them to use them, I may start saving for a Chicken Fountain.

 

[trsturself]

They make heated hoses that people I know use for their horses and cattle. Would something like that work?

We have a nipple system, too. Our coop is a little ways from our house, so we had to improvise. We have a rain barrel on the outside of the coop. I'm not sure of our roof area, but the chicken coop is 10x10 ft. We drilled a hole in the chicken coop and a PVC pipe runs through the chicken coop. The PVC pipe is supported by a chain suspended from the ceiling. The nipples are drilled into the PVC pipe and calked up. This only works spring through fall. We have to take the pipe out and drain the barrel in the winter. The only complaint is that there is a lot of spilled water in the coop.

Hmm, I hit quote one another post and got a totally different one come up.

You can use both the nipple and other waterer but I found the chickens prefer the normal water and will only go to the nipples when the other one is gone. I don't put water in the coop because it makes a mess. They don't get every drip from the nipples so it's a lot of water on the ground.
I have seen the heated pipes and other people use heat tape. There is a whole thread on here if you search "winterizing nipples" with great examples of what people have done and what has and hasn't worked.

If you have enough water coming off your roof you can do a "washer" first that takes the first run off from the roof and diverts it away from the bucket then you only get the cleaner stuff. Unfortunately I can't give you any details but you can google it. Large water collection people do that to keep their water clean.

 

[jonsccm]

Looks like it was my silkie laying those eggs! And now she is broody! At almost 30 weeks old!

I've got about six eggs under her but I've got to find a way to transfer her to a nest closer to the ground. Any tips on that?

 

[NanaLynn]

There are so many different configurations and add on items that it is really best to go to the website and figure out what will work best for your flock!

http://chickenfountain.com/

If you have any questions, feel free to submit a question through the comments section & you will get a very speedy reply - usually the same day, or at the latest 24 hrs...that has been my experience.

You're right about the Chicken Fountain guy. He's very helpful. Looks like I'll be getting one soon. My husband really likes the idea so we can travel more.
We're looking into how to protect the hose across the yard so we do not chop it up when mowing.
I hope that you do not mind, but I mentioned your blog to him since I heard about him through you.

 

[NanaLynn]

Looks like it was my silkie laying those eggs! And now she is broody! At almost 30 weeks old!
I've got about six eggs under her but I've got to find a way to transfer her to a nest closer to the ground. Any tips on that?

Good question...Anyway to make a comfortable broody hen cage on the ground? One that she can't get out of until she is used to it.

 

[rnchick74]

You're right about the Chicken Fountain guy. He's very helpful. Looks like I'll be getting one soon. My husband really likes the idea so we can travel more.
We're looking into how to protect the hose across the yard so we do not chop it up when mowing.
I hope that you do not mind, but I mentioned your blog to him since I heard about him through you

Feel free to mention my blog far & wide!

I'm going to get a length of PVC to run my hose through to protect from mowers, etc. I also found a heated hose for the winter but $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!!!! I only need 50 feet but that's $150 for the cheapest I found! OUCH!