post your chicken coop pictures here!

[Latestarter]

Hey @FarmerPhronc I'm on the front range, NE of Brighton. We had -10 - -15 at night for about 2 weeks last winter. that's when mine developed ice. The buckets have heaters in them.

 

[gpeters3]

Electrical code for outbuildings requires ground fault outlets be used anywhere you can stand on concrete or earth when using them. If you do that then the hazzard to chickens is nearly zero. If you really want the best protection use the latest arc fault outlets required in all bedrooms. Just be aware that you may have to reset them because they are really sensitive and any water splashed around them may trip them. Also if you plan to use electic motors on the circuit (ground fault) they may trip them although mine seldom have any problems (over 15 years). My wife did manage to irritate the arc faults though with her Vitamix and its variable speed. It runs on ground fault ok but not arc fault

 

[gpeters3]

Ive been in this house on one acre for over 40 years now and have toyed with the idea of fencing the property. i illegally kept a horse here years ago and considered fencing then but thought better of it and sold him. He was a beautiful stallion with a great personality but the new owner immediately gelded him :-( Anyway, i may decide to do that yet but i have two neighbors i visit with via our back yards. i guess i could just add some gates (wont need locks for predators). I really enjoyed them free ranging because they kept the bugs almost completely out of sight, amazing! I could apply the cost of a used savage over under 22 and 410 to the fence because i wont need it then

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
LOL... make cheepo ones

 

[gpeters3]

My horizontals did freeze up on the outside cup overnight when temps were -10 or lower over a week or two period last winter. All I did was hold the frozen nub and rub it with my fingers for a moment in the morning when I went out to feed them and it melted right off and started running again. I'm very pleased with them.

My new black farm cull seems to know how to drink from vertical nipples. My bucket is too low but she has been pecking at the nipples like she knows what she is doing. Exactly how do they get the water into their mouth/beak. Im thinking they need to have the nipple above so the water can drip into fhe beak? Also how much do they get at a time, each peck?

 

[Latestarter]

Ummmm I don't know,

and I'm not concerned... They work. They've been drinking from these nipples for almost 18 months. Initially, they are attracted to the red color and shiny post, so they peck at it. When they do, they get wet. From this they learn this is where water comes from. When they're thirsty, they peck at the nipple then drink the water that comes out. I started out with the bucket low enough so they could reach it when they were chicks. I raised the bucket up as they grew. Now they can scrunch donw a little and walk right under the bucket. When they want a drink, they walk right up and get one.

 

[gpeters3]

[quote name="Latestarter" url="/t/596294/post-your-chicken-coop-pictures-here/1039I raised the bucket up as they grew. Now they can scrunch donw a little and walk right under the bucket. When they want a drink, they walk right up and get one.
[/quote]

I thought mine was to low. they can walk under it but not reach up to the.nipples, they have to turn their heads sideways. i was afraid they couldnt get the water in their beaks that way

 

[bruceha2000]

Electrical code for outbuildings requires ground fault outlets be used anywhere you can stand on concrete or earth when using them. If you do that then the hazzard to chickens is nearly zero. If you really want the best protection use the latest arc fault outlets required in all bedrooms. Just be aware that you may have to reset them because they are really sensitive and any water splashed around them may trip them. Also if you plan to use electic motors on the circuit (ground fault) they may trip them although mine seldom have any problems (over 15 years). My wife did manage to irritate the arc faults though with her Vitamix and its variable speed. It runs on ground fault ok but not arc fault

Had to have half the house rebuilt 2 years ago (originally a separate building dragged here and attached likely well over 100 years ago. The electricians said the current code (in VT) is ground fault everywhere there is water and arc fault everywhere else. Arc fault won't save you from a wet short. Apparently they are 'needed' because some people run extension cords under rugs and when they get trod on enough times, the insulation MIGHT break down and the conductors MIGHT come in contact with each other and start a fire. I would LOVE to see the data showing that this is such a HUGE problem that everyone needs a ton of expensive arc fault breakers. Seems to me it is a fear mongering, profit making solution looking for a problem.

My new black farm cull seems to know how to drink from vertical nipples. My bucket is too low but she has been pecking at the nipples like she knows what she is doing. Exactly how do they get the water into their mouth/beak. Im thinking they need to have the nipple above so the water can drip into fhe beak? Also how much do they get at a time, each peck?

I think it is a drop at a time. I hear my girls tapping them. If you watch them drink from a pan or puddle, you will see that they get some water in their mouth then have to tilt their head up to swallow it. I think it would be best if the nipples were at or above "standing" head level so they can just reach up a bit and tip the pin.

 

[gpeters3]

Thats what i figured too. if the bucket is too low they cant get the water into their beak and down their throat. Guess ill have to find a way to.get it higher.

Funny to watch though, my new one must have been watered.that way on the farm it came from because it spends a lot of time pecking at the nipples. Dont know if shes getting any water but she tries Havnt seen any others try yet.

 

[bluema]

Made out of plastic playhouse.
More detail posted on https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/cottage-playhouse-plastic-chicken-coop