Nipples system finished

[lpfdco237]

I have a 25 gallon barrel that will fill from the gutters on the coop. That's their email drinking water. From there it's piped into the coop with 2 nipples and then heads into the run with two more nipples. I have a shutoff option to keep the water only inside during freezing temperatures and a drain at the very end shld I need to empty the entire system.

I put the pipes and nipples a little high with the expectations of putting paving stones under to give the hens a boost if necessary.

 

[Isaac 0]

Looks great!

Sadly,Its very hard to get them to use it.I would suggest putting a bucket under it to catch the water that leaks from it.

 

[lpfdco237]

They've actually taken right to the nipple! I have them in my basement currently until the storm passes but they're drinking from nipples I put in a old jug.

 

[DanversChickens]

Nice set up but aren't you concerned with arsenic in the shingles leaching into the water, not to mention other chemical contaminates with asphalt singles? I keep insulated coolers (round) in my pen with nipples. From day old to pullet to hen, my chickens take to the nipples easily. I switched to the nipples that have the tiny cup underneath to control for the dripping... Everyone should use nipples w/barrels, buckets or coolers - it's the easily most effective watering and when coupled with the pvc tubing like commercial set ups, it's even more effective for larger flocks.

 

[lpfdco237]

I'm really not concerned about it at all. I think people overthink things - they're animals. What do you think they do in the wild?

Besides, people have been using rain water for years to water their animals. And I have a larger system that I use to water my garden so if it's good enough for me, it's good enough for the animals.

 

[MrsChickens]

I understand, but when I looked at reroofing my house, I was shocked at the mds papers on the various shingles available. Most are made in China from mixture of recycled materials and asphalt. I collect rainwater for my gardens, but keep the dogs from drinking it.

 

[lpfdco237]

That doesn't make much sense to me. If you're willing to water your garden with the rain water, any chemicals are going into the soil and then are absorbed by the plants and then transferred to your vegetables.

 

[MrsChickens]

flower gardens...I use drip irrigation from tap on my vegetables.