Can someone break it down for me step by step on how to do this? I have 6 girls now, and looking to add another 6-10 gals later this spring, so I want something that they can't knock over, or poop in I appreciate any and all info/suggestions!
I tried several methods, and what worked best for me is a 5 gallon bucket with lid and 3 nipples in the bottom. Keeping the lid on allows you to hang the bucket from a chain without deforming the bucket or getting dirt/poop inside. The chain allows you to raise or lower the bucket, depending on how tall your chickens are. I cut a hole in the lid and use a large funnel to fill the bucket from milk jugs (or hose if possible). In the winter I use a Farm Innovators H-49 heater (from Amazon) in the bucket. The cord for the heater comes out a seperate hole in the lid. Three nipples seems to work fine for my 26 hens. I bought pvc pipe and fittings to make a manifold type waterer fed by the bucket, but decided to just put the nipples in the bucket because the manifold would freeze in the winter. I hang it inside the coop, summer and winter. Paul
I have mine running from a rain barrel which collects from the roof of the coop, I put a bulkhead fitting in the barrel side as close to the bottom as possible.. ran a hose to a piece of 2 inch pvc 30 inches long fitted with a cap and a reducer so that i could put a 3/4" nipple to hook the hose to. Then put four nipples evenly spaced. This winter i wrapped a 30 foot heat tape around the barrel and along the hose a pvc and it has ran all winter long so far. If you have other question feel free to ask.. I also have put them in a small coke bottle cap and made a hanger for the chicks in the brooder, I have a bucket set up, and put them in the bottom of heavy gallon jugs, similar to bleach jugs..
I just finished my watering system last night! I ordered the nipples off eBay, just watch the source. The threads were messed up which made my project a lot more difficult than it should have been. I ended up wrapping duct tape around the last hole bc I just couldn't get the last nipple in there. After letting the silicone dry overnight I hooked it up this morning & my girls got the hang of it real quick. I have a couple of places to patch up with some more silicone but all in all I'm happy with it. The 5 gal bucket has a connector that is going thru a hole in the table down to my girls. No more dirty water! It's great! I only have 13 chickens but ordered 10 nipples & decided to use all of them. Good luck on your project!
