Nipple Waterer Info

[happymorrows]

So any reason it can't go on the bottom of the bucket if the bucket is elevated off the ground?

 

[Penturner]

Lots of nice ideas here. Neil. I really like that single pipe one for a brooder where space never seems to be enough. Even with more chicks I like just repeating it over and over and can set different nipples at different heights as needed.
Dogfish. Since small particles in the water are the main enemy of the nipple you may want to have some sort of filter for any water that drains into you bucket. I have seen a 55 gal drum set up that collected rain water and didn't read anything about leaking of clogging problems though. It watered to the run though so not sure if leaks would have mattered so much.
Happymorrows, I've seen lots of them attached to the bottom of buckets or even milk jugs. just put them on the bottom rather than the side and then set the jug on a shelf at the correct height. I am leaning toward a design that leaves the nipple alone and the jug can either be refilled in place like Dogfish has. or carried away and filled without disturbing the nipples.

 

[Dogfish]

I have a filter rigged on the connector in the bucket, which takes care of that issue, but thanks for pointing that out.

 

[enggass]

I know this is a gravity system, but would an arrangement like this work?

Would the pressure from the water in the bottle be enough to drive the water? Or would that pressure fade too much as the level dropped...?
My coop is vertically challenged.
Steve

 

[benandbobbi]

got a question about height. i was goint to start a new thread, but seems better to keep related info together.

i am planning to use the same design Dogfish -

1) how high does the nipple have to be from the ground? i am sure it will depend on the bird, but they are all chick right now! we have ameracauna and barred rock, and might get a couple silkies.

2) seems to be mention about getting the bucket high enough. is there a guide for max water height in container to nipple?

 

[Neil Grassbaugh]

Quote:
All these nipple that I can supply or any others that I have seen discussed here are designed to work at between eight to fourteen inches of water column height. That is the vertical elevation between the nipple and the surface of the water it is supplied with. What I am seeing above will work just fine except perhaps in regard to water holding capacity If the top of the tube inserted through the resivoir is at least 8" above the nipple you will be ok.

What you need to consider is a very flat container. Think under bed storage bin. Very flat so it stores more water without requiring vertical space.

 

[Neil Grassbaugh]

Quote:

 

[Penturner]

One way to get more water storage and not get more water column (height) would be a section of PVC pipe running horizontal rather than vertical. If you used 4" pipe you could hold a lot of water. A 6" pipe is expensive but will hold a ton of water per foot of length. At any rate it lets you go sideways for more water capacity fairly easily.

 

[2xchickenfarm]

Can someone who has put the nipples in a 5 gallon bucket explain to me how you hang them. If they are hung, don't the chickens try rooster on them? Or if they are hanging, do they swing. Does anyone have a picture of one hanging in the chicken coop? I love the idea of the nipples in buckets and in pvc pipe. My husband works at a company that makes stainless steel tubing up to 3/4" and he is trying to think of a way to us that instead of the pvc pipe. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[gryeyes]

I have mine set near the edge of the bottom of the bucket, and then I set the bucket on an up-turned concrete block. The bucket is then bungee-corded to a T-post in the fence, to hold it in place.

Here's a couple photos to help explain it:

This one is a lousy photo of the nipples on the bottom of the bucket.

And here's the other one using a PVC pipe from the bucket, inside the A-Frame downstairs pen section.