Waterer top?

[archeryrob]

Ok, anyone made any custom toppers for waterer like this? My layer flock is good, my cornish flock won;t stop day roosting on it and crapping the lid up. Looking for ideas to make it too difficult to fly up here.

 

[TooCheep]

I think you'd have a hard time finding a topper that would fit perfectly. Instead, I think a simple defensive item would work better.

Just take some chicken wire (or other fencing) and form a cylinder that will easily sit on top. It will be light and easy to move on/off when refilling.

You might need to weight it down initially as the cornishes may wish to test flying up there and end up knocking it over. Once they learn that they can't perch up there, you should be able to stop using any weights.

 

[archeryrob]

Ok, left over 2x4 fencing might work. I think I got some scraps to try with. My luck, all of them will try and perch on the wire.

I was thinking aluminum sheet made into a cone, but figured it would be huge

 

[TooCheep]

Alternate design idea for my fence solution:

Make a fence cylinder that fits around the top a little bit loose for easy removal/add-on. Then just use some pliers to kink in the wiring at one point 3-6" up on the cylinder so that it won't slip down. That should be a simpler setup that won't need weights at all.

This design should also be more stable if it is ever subject to high winds.

 

[archeryrob]

I will try the fence and report back

 

[adirondak5]

You could look at Dock Piling Caps , used to cap dock posts to keep birds off , they come in all different diameters , should be able to find one to fit a bucket lid .

Dock Piling Cap

 

[Ridgerunner]

This doesn't show it well but I cut two triangles out of plywood, slotted them so I could slide them together, and hung it over this waterer. Cut two triangles, slot one from the top point halfway down and one from the bottom halfway up. Slots the thickness of the plywood. Slot them together and hang them. If it's where the wind can hit it you need enough weight so it doesn't blow out of the way.

You can partially fill a gallon plastic milk jug or maybe a bleach jug with enough dirt to keep it from blowing out or the way and hang that, they can't land on it. But that might not be big enough for you.

Another option. Cut a cylinder big enough and support it form above so it lays flat but when they try to land it tilts they fall off. It takes some effort to balance it but maybe support it with three strings or wires pretty close to the middle so it goes back into position.

 

[archeryrob]

I forgot to post back up on this. I had a small piece of junk 2x4 scrap from the fence. Twisted it in two minutes and sat it on top the waterer. The rain washed all the chicken poop away and it stays clean now as they won’t fly on top of it.

I fix it this spring to be more permanent and look better, but it works. No poo filled waterer tops any more.

 

[aart]

but it works.

That's what 'looks' great about it.