Watering Station

[IndianaGreg]

Does anyone have plans or suggestions for an outdoor watering station? I am looking to construct one for my hens so they can stay outdoors and get water... Thanks for all suggestions...

 

[ChickenMannR]

Do you want one big one or many, smaller ones?

 

[IndianaGreg]

Do you want one big one or many, smaller ones?

Well not sure? I guess just one so as not to have to refill all the time.

 

[milogirly]

I used this setup for the summer/fall. It's gravity fed from a bucket, which is really nice. The water stays clean and my girls loved it (as did I). Just waiting for spring so I can start using it again.
https://www.qcsupply.com/hanging-tube-waterer-4-nipples.html

I was going to make my own, but after the cost of the materials, this was less expensive.

 

[squadleader]

I love this waterer, so good and it's easy to make. That's a 7.5 gallon bucket, but you could use a regular 5 gallon bucket.

The birds took to it immediately, and you never have dirty or spilled water.

Put the chicken nipples an inch off the bottom of the bucket, so you can set the bucket on the ground without banging the nipples.

I did a lot of research on the different type of nipples. Vertical nipples mounted on the bottom of the bucket, side mounted nipples with little yellow peck triggers, but those all had reports of leaking.

I got these on Amazon and they've worked flawlessly since last July, no leaks.

They're super easy to install in the bucket. They're threaded, so just drill the hole in the bucket, put some Teflon tape on the threads, and just screw the nipples in.

They can also be screwed into PVC pipe, if you want a fancier system.

I like how I can have six water stations on a single bucket.

They've even frozen several times this winter will no ill affect on them. In my tractor, I found they froze in the high 20's, the metal trigger freezes first.

When the temperature rose during the day, they'd unfreeze. If I'm flirting with upper 20's with nighttime lows, I leave it in the tractor.

Once we go lower, I take the bucket out of the tractor, and switch to a 18"x24" black plastic mortar tub from Home Depot, set in the sun, and that'll go all day without freezing unless your highs are in the teens, then just break any ice in the afternoon, they don't need water while sleeping, just put warm water in it in the morning.

This is a 7.5 gallon plastic bucket from Uline.com and a Gamma Seal screw off lid added to it. The Gamma Seal unit with the screw off top, pops into the grooves of any 5 gallon (or 7.5 gallon bucket).

I like the 7.5 gallon bucket because it holds more water (13 birds about once a week fill), and because the chicken nipples supply more water if there's more pressure at the bottom of the bucket, which there is with a taller bucket. I have another 7.5 gallon bucket with a Gamna Seal for taking water out to the tractor to fill the waterer.

I keep some extra water in the extra bucket out at the tractor for topping off the waterer. More water in the bucket means more pressure, and faster output of water to the chicken using the nipple, so I never let my bucket get less than half full. Water is critical, I don't take chances with it.

 

[Sublight]

https://www.amazon.com/Bergan-Autow...20012398&sr=8-6&keywords=automatic+water+bowl

This is what I use. Ive used it for a year, and I love it. easy to clean, and simple.
Its just a dog waterer.
13 bucks.

 

[IndianaGreg]

https://www.amazon.com/Bergan-Autow...20012398&sr=8-6&keywords=automatic+water+bowl

This is what I use. Ive used it for a year, and I love it. easy to clean, and simple.
Its just a dog waterer.
13 bucks.

It appears that I can use it with something else besides a hose. Is that true you think? like a PVC connector...

 

[PirateGirl]

How many chickens do you have? This will make a big difference in what will/won't work for you.

 

[PirateGirl]

There are lots of great ideas here...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/feeders-waterers.26/

 

[Sublight]

It appears that I can use it with something else besides a hose. Is that true you think? like a PVC connector...

With the right fittings, yes.
Or just get the PVC close, get a adapter, and get a short segment of water hose, like this..
https://www.amazon.com/Flexzilla-Ga...d=1520015339&sr=8-4&keywords=short+water+hose