Nipple watering?

[Phoenix5ire]

Nipple waterers are the way to go for your flocks.

I got my nipples from Ebay, much cheaper as mentioned already.
I tested on 2-liter soda bottles, works like a charm. You will need an 11/32 drill bit, you'll appreciate this info., otherwise it will be a pain to size the nipple.

I use 2-liters for the baby chicks, once one starts to peck at the nipple and knows there's water... they all will learn quick.
I use PVC pipe systems for the flock, as dumb as chickens are this is one system you don't need to train them on.
I use a 32 gallon that connects to the pvc nipple systems,... the 32 gallon bin collects water from the gutters. (of course, you will need to filter the rain water).
I don't water the chickens anymore, I just check to make sure there's water.

As for feeding, there are several ways to auto-feed your flock but I like the bucket feeder with pvc elbow inserts. I use this method with the 32 gallon bins and because they're free range chickens, I fill the feeder about once a month or more. (see pic below)


The one thing I do everyday... I collect eggs.

 

[Woodsdweller]

I agree with Phoenix5ire, vertical nipples and bulk feeders are the way to go. I finally got around to turning a 55 gallon drum into a self filling watering system. Rain water drains in from the gutter to fill the barrel. 2 days rain and the barrel was filled. I also turned a 15 gallon trash can with a lid into a bulk self feeder I only have to fill once every 3-4 weeks. Total cost for both was less than $50





Just tapped the nipples so they could see the water and they took it from there in a couple of minutes.

 

[adkhunter1590]

Could either one of you tell me what exactly I need to attach the pvc to the barrel with. Not sure what type of fitting I need. I can visually see what I need in my head but I can't put a name to it. Figured if I knew the name it would help speed my shopping up in lowes

Hey Phoniex how well does your big bin feeder work? I have been seriously considering something just like that. What size pvc elbow did you use? And does it save on food? Was hoping it would cut down on waste to use this style feeder

 

[Phoenix5ire]

Could either one of you tell me what exactly I need to attach the pvc to the barrel with. Not sure what type of fitting I need. I can visually see what I need in my head but I can't put a name to it. Figured if I knew the name it would help speed my shopping up in lowes

Hey Phoniex how well does your big bin feeder work? I have been seriously considering something just like that. What size pvc elbow did you use? And does it save on food? Was hoping it would cut down on waste to use this style feeder

Hi adkhunter,

Go to the thread below and scroll to the last post by me, I list most of the supplies on the picture and in the thread. Have fun.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/971907/simple-pvc-waterer-has-us-stumped#post_15148181

Thanks.

 

[Manningjw]

One thing to keep in mind about a big feeder like that is rats will find it, and they will eat all of it if it is out 24 hours/day. I found those little

were climbing an 8 foot wall to get into my coop and would jump into the tube feeding system I have in there just to get the food!

I like the idea of a huge feeder like that but I wouldn't be able to keep in inside my coop, if I kept it outside, I would have to add some sort of step on openers for the chickens to use that would prevent rats from eating it all.

 

[Woodsdweller]

Could either one of you tell me what exactly I need to attach the pvc to the barrel with. Not sure what type of fitting I need. I can visually see what I need in my head but I can't put a name to it. Figured if I knew the name it would help speed my shopping up in lowes

Hey Phoniex how well does your big bin feeder work? I have been seriously considering something just like that. What size pvc elbow did you use? And does it save on food? Was hoping it would cut down on waste to use this style feeder

You could use a bulkhead bushing, but impatient person that I am, I used what I had on hand, a 3/4" CPVC female on the outside and threaded a 3/4" CPVC male with a 7/8" O-ring through from the inside. I had a small leak that I sealed with silicone. Hasn't leaked again.... yet.

 

[Woodsdweller]

One thing to keep in mind about a big feeder like that is rats will find it, and they will eat all of it if it is out 24 hours/day. I found those little

were climbing an 8 foot wall to get into my coop and would jump into the tube feeding system I have in there just to get the food!

I like the idea of a huge feeder like that but I wouldn't be able to keep in inside my coop, if I kept it outside, I would have to add some sort of step on openers for the chickens to use that would prevent rats from eating it all.

I don't know how much of a space constraint you have, but have you thought about building a support with 2x4s and a round piece of 1/2" plywood on top big enough to support the bulk feeder and big enough for the cluckers to use as a perch? Picture a large wire spool. If you are worried rats can climb upside down, cover the base of the plywood with aluminum. I also use a couple of 40lb. cat litter buckets that I turned into bulk feeders that I hang from the ceiling to 12" off the floor. I haven't had rats in the feed yet with either bulk feeder.

 

[HenHouse10C]

Thank you all so much for the suggestions. I've been going out every morning and evening and scattering their feed on the ground for them, and changing their water since it's mosquito season.. I do feel like there's a bit of feed wasted feeding them this way, if I can fashion a feeder that would make it less wasteful. Of course as soon as the nipples get here we'll change the way they get water. I also have a 3x3 brooder with 6 chicks (with a removable divider because I have 2 sets of 3 from different broods). How many nipples would each set of 3 chicks need? And how many for my 3 bigger pullets outside?

 

[Woodsdweller]

Thank you all so much for the suggestions. I've been going out every morning and evening and scattering their feed on the ground for them, and changing their water since it's mosquito season.. I do feel like there's a bit of feed wasted feeding them this way, if I can fashion a feeder that would make it less wasteful. Of course as soon as the nipples get here we'll change the way they get water. I also have a 3x3 brooder with 6 chicks (with a removable divider because I have 2 sets of 3 from different broods). How many nipples would each set of 3 chicks need? And how many for my 3 bigger pullets outside?

Some say 1 nipple for every 3-4 cluckers. The only difference is height between chicks, tweens and adult cluckers. I put 1 nipple for every 3 cos it gets hot here in the summer. If you do use a bucket, barrel or whatever.. make sure it has a lid. The rain barrel I set up had a removable lid and I cut 2" holes in the lid and put several layers of window screen over the barrel and it gets held down by the lid. Keeps out most bugs and most of any dirt. I can hose off or change the screen when it gets icky.

 

[Woodsdweller]

I haven't noticed any waste with the bulk feeders I made.