trying to automate a 5 gallon galvanized waterer

[jogirl]

I have a 5 gallon galvanized waterer (similar to this one http://www.amazon.com/MILLER-9835-G...N/dp/B002P5CF0G/ref=pd_sim_sbs_petsupplies_33) for my chickens that I am trying to turn into an automatic waterer. I got it connected into my sprinkler system so that when the sprinklers run every other morning, there is a small tube that feeds into the top of the waterer and, theoretically, refills it. The issue is that, since the waterer creates a vacuum seal when it is closed, when the sprinkler system pushes water into it, there's nowhere for the air to go, so it just ends up pushing all the water out the bottom and not filling the tank at all. What I think I need is some sort of air valve that will let air out, but not in, so it doesn't destroy the vacuum seal that keeps all the water from just gushing out. Does anyone know if a part like this exists, where to find it, etc? Or does anyone have a better idea for how to do this?

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Even if you could find such a valve, when the sprinklers cut off it's still likely to siphon water out, or allow air in.

Also, there's the risk of it putting too much water in.

I wouldn't try to reinvent the wheel.

 

[reinvestment]

I bought an automatic waterer that didn't work. The valve gets stuck and lets the water flow through. I have a tank for ponies and goats that has a baffle on it. Hooked up to the water hose it fills the tank to the baffle and shuts off. This works great. If you could hook a baffle up to a shorter container -and put something on top that would keep the fowl from "fowling" the water, this could work. I am supposing you have a great deal of fowl.
I am very discouraged with all that you can buy so I made my own waterers for 14 chickens. More of them would be ok for more chickens. I cut the top side of a clorax bottle out, leaving the top and back side. and handle. I put a heavy stone in it to keep it from tipping over , and fill it with water. A 100 to 150 watt bulb (with a shield) over them keeps the water from freezing in anything above 25 degrees. When it did freeze , they knew to peck a hole in the ice. More such containers would work for more chickens.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: If you'd put your light UNDER the water, you could use a 40 watt bulb