Washingtonians

[FirewifeJess]

Well I have the poultry nipples and I want to mak like a watering bar with the nipples on it. Just have to figure out how to get a hose to fit a 55gal water barrel(mounted on top run) and have it connect to the bar.

Connect up with Renee/itsren (she was just here); she made something similar!

 

[itsren]

I just got those chicken water nipple thingies in the mail. Thought about maybe trying those out though I am afraid to "trust" the chickens to figure it out with all this heat. Thought was mount a pvc "bar" and put a 55gal water barrel to feed it. Questions? Comments? Constructive advice?

I have a nipple water system mounted to a PVC pipe. I use a bucket to feed it. I don't know how often I *should* be cleaning it, but I like to give the bucket a complete scrub-down at least once (or more) a week. My bucket is exposed at the top, and develops a fine layer of dust on the top of the water. I know I would hate to have to clean out a 55 gal. barrel. A barrel may also have issues with mosquitoes.

 

[Dwkuska]

oh Renee/itsren, are you here????? lol

 

[FirewifeJess]

Have you thought about just buying something like this instead? It's got great reviews even though it's a new product; also, you can still medicate if needed because the top comes off the fount; it's constantly moving the water through as well, so no scrubbing it. And, the water is always cold from the tap.
http://chickenfountain.com/our-product/

 

[Dwkuska]

I have a nipple water system mounted to a PVC pipe. I use a bucket to feed it. I don't know how often I *should* be cleaning it, but I like to give the bucket a complete scrub-down at least once (or more) a week. My bucket is exposed at the top, and develops a fine layer of dust on the top of the water. I know I would hate to have to clean out a 55 gal. barrel. A barrel may also have issues with mosquitoes.

Well I would be using a 55gal "water" barrel. That is to say its a completely sterile and contained plastic 55gal drum. It simply has like a threaded port to draw the water from via syphon or pump. kinda like this http://www.quakekare.com/55-gallon-water-barrel-p-22.html so cleaning I think would be a non issue, same with mosquitoes.

 

[Dwkuska]

Have you thought about just buying something like this instead? It's got great reviews even though it's a new product; also, you can still medicate if needed because the top comes off the fount; it's constantly moving the water through as well, so no scrubbing it. And, the water is always cold from the tap.
http://chickenfountain.com/our-product/

that is just the nipples I have mounted on a pvc bar... basically thats exactly what I am building although not to a spigot... just a 55 gal drum

 

[chickenjane82]

Have you thought about just buying something like this instead? It's got great reviews even though it's a new product; also, you can still medicate if needed because the top comes off the fount; it's constantly moving the water through as well, so no scrubbing it. And, the water
is always cold from the tap.
http://chickenfountain.com/our-product/

I really like these ones! I like that its constant fresh water too.

 

[chickenjane82]

Probably simple to make?

 

[itsren]

I've read that first year pullets don't seem to be affected as much by the lack of light as older hens. I didn't supplement my girls (who were chicks in the spring) last year and they continued laying through the winter.

That's good to know. I've been on the fence about lighting, too.

 

[FirewifeJess]

Quote:
Yes, I am happy to find that out. I think this year I will forgo lighting and next year add it in. Probably best, I don't want another thing to deal with this year. We're still trying to make all stuff purty and functional with our current setup