Self watering device

[mattblackburn]

I built one if I can do it you can!!

http://mattblackburn.net/?p=539

Complete construction pics and commentary included.

 

[jennyworley35]

I built one if I can do it you can!!

http://mattblackburn.net/?p=539

Complete construction pics and commentary included.

Thanks for the post I have been wondering if it would be hard to do and how to do it how much did it cost you? And is this something I should do with a small (10 chickens) Backyard Flock or is this for larger flocks?

 

[mattblackburn]

get a five gallon waterer or get a nipple system. This was not that expensive but the toilet float valve needs pressure to operate so unless you plumb it into a water hose or pipe fed by water system youll constantly be having to pressurize the line to unseat the valve. I found this out the hard way. Plus if you do build one like this put some valves on the bottom side of each cup that you can open and quickly drain the dirty water out. Id stick with the hanging five gallon waterers after doing this myself

 

[mattblackburn]

i revamped this system. kept the drinking cups the same but cut a hole in the coop and ran 1 " pipe outside and converted it to a 2 " elbow and stuck an ozarka bottle in the elbow to make it a vacum waterer just like the ones you buy at feed store. The difference is you can change the water from outside the coop. I put a shut off valve and drain pipe so when i change water i can empty the system to clean it. The water level was to low at first so i drilled a hole in the mouth of the bottle to raise the water level. Ill post pics later.

The good thing is the chickens cant dump the water out so 5 gallons lasts a week rather than a day or two, plus with just a couple small drinkers they cant get the water dirty as easy.