Need some ideas...watering system... but without a 5 gallon bucket??

[adiekaty]

hello.. I ordered some watering nipples and this weekend want to put together a system for my hens.. However, I'm not a fan of the bucket thing.. Anyone use anything else? I was thinking a galvanized bucket, until i googled. that won't work. i have looked online, seems the only thing i can find is the bucket. Please help...looking to go a vintage- antique route if possible, because it will be seen from the yard. Thank you!! )

 

[DaddyBird]

I put mine straight into a piece of PVC pipe with a cap on one end and a hose to a reservoir on the other. I use a 2.5 gallon pitcher zip tied to the side of the coop for a reservoir.

 

[MelissaTXRn]

 

[wdr61]

I just set mine up yesterday it waters inside the coop and outside at the same time with an inexpensive toilet valve. Got the toilet valve idea from some other post on this forum. I added clean out plugs on both ends so it can easily be drained for winter or cleaned. The toilet valve only cost like $7 but beware that you cannot drill your hole in the center of the 4" pipe or the float will not operate (move freely up and down).

 

[chipahoy4]

I'm trying to do the same thing. I am looking for a stainless steel container with a cover, maybe about 3 gallons or so, then I will use pvc piping and the red watering cups from there. I need to keep the water heated during the winter as I live in MA. I am going to try to wrap heat tape around the steel container, and down around the pvc piping, and then cover it with something the chickens can not peck thru. Just can't seem to find the stainless container anywhere. Maybe a copper container from an antique type store might work and it will age nicely. If you find any good ideas, I could sure use some help too.

 

[Kelsie2290]

They make pretty big stainless steel stock pots, like what you use for canning. They are really expensive new, but I've found them at garage sales or thrift shops once in awhile.

 

[AliNaz]

I'm planning to make something like this, but with nipples in the bottom. http://www.instructables.com/id/PVC-Chicken-Waterer/#step1

 

[BellevueOmlet]

You can always use the container you like as a casing and have a 5 gallon bucket or some other plastic container inside of it so you get that good look of your container but the easy to use advantages of the bucket. Just a thought.