New watering system..but it leaks

[jrpierce72]

I've spent 3 weeks trying to set up a watering system that doesn't leak. I purchased one of those plastic waterers, 3 gallons, with a red bottom and it continuously dripped while hanging (as it is intended) and got the straw all wet. So I filled in the little holes on the bottom with a glue gun but it continued to drip. I then tried the watering cups in a 5 gallon bucket and they wouldn't go in tight enough to not leak. I found a solution for the watering cups at Ace Hardware and my photos are posted. I applied pipe tape and then put 2 washers on the threads, one inside the 5 gallon bucket and one outside and then tightened the nut from the inside. I took off the little flimsy washer that came with the watering cup. Now no more leaking. I'm not sure yet if the chickens will know how to drink out of them but they have plenty of options for different waterers. Just wanted to have a 5 gallon option. Hope this is helpful for others.

 

[drmolarmagic]

Ok Friends.... I ordered the water barrel heating collar and an inline filter for the water.
Now I will have all the components........lets see if it works....
Stay tuned!

 

[drmolarmagic]

I've spent 3 weeks trying to set up a watering system that doesn't leak. I purchased one of those plastic waterers, 3 gallons, with a red bottom and it continuously dripped while hanging (as it is intended) and got the straw all wet. So I filled in the little holes on the bottom with a glue gun but it continued to drip. I then tried the watering cups in a 5 gallon bucket and they wouldn't go in tight enough to not leak. I found a solution for the watering cups at Ace Hardware and my photos are posted. I applied pipe tape and then put 2 washers on the threads, one inside the 5 gallon bucket and one outside and then tightened the nut from the inside. I took off the little flimsy washer that came with the watering cup. Now no more leaking. I'm not sure yet if the chickens will know how to drink out of them but they have plenty of options for different waterers. Just wanted to have a 5 gallon option. Hope this is helpful for others.

I was told that you have to show the chickens how to use it by taking them over to it and holding their beak to it to show how to make the water come out and it works. They just have to be shown and they'll do the rest.
The main reason I wanted to set this up is that there would always be fresh water for the birds (15 Doves, 2 Frillback pigeons, 2 Silkie chickens) as the source is the rain.
At least it sounds good and looks great on paper......

 

[aart]

water barrel heating collar

Never heard of these...got a link?
Keeps the barrel thawed?
What about pipe and cups?

 

[drmolarmagic]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/55-Gallon-...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

pipes will be wrapped with insulating tubes
This is the first year I'm doing this so we will see if it works

 

[aart]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/55-Gallon-1000W-Silicone-Band-Drum-Heater-Oil-Biodiesel-Metal-Barrel-200L/362927403845?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

pipes will be wrapped with insulating tubes
This is the first year I'm doing this so we will see if it works

Got serious doubts about the barrel heater for this application...
.....but I don't know enough about the stated diesel fuel application to know for sure.
Am pretty sure mere insulation won't keep the pipes thawed without circulation.
Am positive the cups will freeze.

 

[drmolarmagic]

NY has had pretty Mild winters the last 2 years so I'm going to give it a go. Since its not the only water the birds have its a pretty safe experiment. I'll update as the weather gets colder