Summer and Winter watering system

[the43k]

Your watering systems look great. I believe that in the video you said that the winter system holds 20ga. It looks like you used 6" PVC for the horizontal portion of the T and maybe something larger for the vertical portion? Can you tell me what lengths you used to create the system? (So that I can get a sense of the size of a system that would hold 20gal so that I can size a system that will work for my needs. Thanks!

yes, 6" PVC everywhere…I think its about 5 feet horizontal and 2.5 high. It maybe slightly less then 20 gal.

 

[LakeMomNY]

Thanks!

How long can you go between refills? (And how many chickens do you have?)

 

[the43k]

Thanks!

How long can you go between refills? (And how many chickens do you have?)

I tended to add a water can (approx 1 gallon) once a week, sometime a little less, sometime more … I could have let it go down further since there was more water, but because it was being heated, I was afraid to let the water level go down too far. Actually, the more I think about it, I think my estimates are over exaggerated. 20 gallons is probably way off… I think 7 to 10 gallons may be closer. I also think there can be more loss during winter thru the nipples because of potential icing issues at the nipple causing it to drip. Regardless it worked great, but I really apologize for the misinformation.

 

[LakeMomNY]

I'm giggling.

I did the math and calculated the volume right after you posted the lengths of the pipes (it's about 1.47 gallons/foot of 6 inch pipe) but decided not to call you out on the over estimate.

How many chickens?

I'm trying to figure out how much water I would need to SAFELY not HAVE to refill for a week. (6 hens)

(Husband's support of the chicken project requires that everything be automated enough that the chickens could be completely abandoned for a week. Even though, since we have cats that need care and attention as well, there is little to no chance that they would ACTUALLY be abandoned for. Week.)

 

[the43k]

LOL. I take pride in trying to be as honest and accurate as can be. Should have just done a filling test and counted the buckets. At the time we had 14 to 16 chickens, although today, we had a catastrophe when a fox killed every single chicken we had, so we're trying to regroup at the moment. The **** chicken door shut before our entire flock could get inside.

 

[LakeMomNY]

Oh no! That's horrible!

 

[the43k]

PIcked up 18 newbies yesterday…. also getting new light sensing door opener.

 

[the43k]

Taught the newbies how to drink from nipples in less then 5 minutes.