Rain barrel for your flock?

[thenuthouse]

Most rain barrels do not have the bottom opening at the very bottom of the barrel, so grit shouldn't be a huge issue. Our exit valve is a few inches up. We wash out the barrel a couple times per year. Also, I am installing a filter between the barrel and the PVC that will have the waterer attached. I just ordered everything and am using a post on here as my guide. Can't wait to not have to lug around water!

 

[chad-o]

Unbelievable! Perhaps they should put a user tax on the air we breathe also.

My understanding is that they are working on a meter as we speak.
If you don't pay in thirty days you will be cut off!!! LOL

 

[RichnSteph]

We are planning something similar. I've sourced a pair of 275 gallon food grade totes to put at the end of the house up on a platform. We'll run gutter from the front and back of the house and carport (attached) to the totes and then use that water for garden etc. Also going to put a smaller blue 55 gallon drum on the chicken coop once we decide where it's going to be built. Metal roof on both.

The totes we are using are the white ones with the metal cage around them and forklift notches underneath. If you decide to do the same be sure to get the ones that have a green lid and green handle on the outlet valve. Green is good since it indicates the tote contained something safe for human consumption. Do not use the ones with the red or black lids and valve handles since they usually carry cleaning chemicals or caustic substances.

Hope that helps!

 

[coop-er]

We are planning something similar. I've sourced a pair of 275 gallon food grade totes to put at the end of the house up on a platform. We'll run gutter from the front and back of the house and carport (attached) to the totes and then use that water for garden etc. Also going to put a smaller blue 55 gallon drum on the chicken coop once we decide where it's going to be built. Metal roof on both.

The totes we are using are the white ones with the metal cage around them and forklift notches underneath. If you decide to do the same be sure to get the ones that have a green lid and green handle on the outlet valve. Green is good since it indicates the tote contained something safe for human consumption. Do not use the ones with the red or black lids and valve handles since they usually carry cleaning chemicals or caustic substances.

Hope that helps!

^^^^^^^^^^Good to know! I see these on craigslist and did not think to check what they were used for. They are always advertised as good for collecting water.

 

[AnnieSantiago]

Tomorrow, I'm getting a rain barrel like this one to catch the rain coming off the new roof I just put on the run.
Does anyone have any reasons why this is not a good idea, before I spend the $50?

 

[coop-er]

What kind of roof do you have? I have heard shingles have too many chemicals present to re use the water for your chickens, a tin roof may be ok.