Water barrels?

[chickenJ1m]

I'm thinking of laying a water barrel on its side and then cutting a small rectangular opening on what will be the top for filling purposes and then installing watering nipples along the sides. Of course I'd build a stand for it to rest on allowing my girls to reach them at a comfortable height. Has anyone else used a 55gal barrel for watering?

 

[lazy gardener]

Just be sure that they can't get in through the top. sounds like a logical plan to me as long as it's food grade plastic.

 

[chickenJ1m]

Just be sure that they can't get in through the top. sounds like a logical plan to me as long as it's food grade plastic.

I just thought to cover the opening with some wire. That should keep them out. I never would have thought to keep them from getting in lol

 

[lazy gardener]

Your other issue will be mosquito larvae breeding in the barrel. How many birds? You might want to have a waterer that will only hold enough for several days, or otherwise make it insect proof.

 

[B Redhawk]

We have a rain barrel connected to the down spout from the coop roof. I installed a bulkhead fitting to a pvc pipe that holds the nipples. I had to add a drain via a T fitting for when it starts to back up because it is too full. A few drops of bleach keeps alge and mosquitoes away.

 

[blackdog043]

If your thinking of using a blue plastic drum, why not just leave it upright and put nipples around the bottom?