watering system

[mrlacewing]

Now that I've added more hens their water is going fast! Right now I'm using plastic waterers but I'm not crazy about them. I was eyeing a larger galvanized waterer at the feed store yesterday, but wandering if that would really save me trouble. How often would I have to change the water? I only have five hens, so I'm also thinking about just using a big dish...or two. That just seems easier than dealing with the waterers that I'm using now and the ones in the store.
So, am I missing something? What have you found to be the best and easiest way to water a small flock?
thanks!
Dana

 

[duskins]

The dish method I have found is harder to maintain. The hens I have try to bathe or stand in it causing the dish to become very dirty and a higher possible area for harmful growth. Also if they flip it over, they will increase moisture in the coop litter and raise the potential for ammonia increase due to the increased amount of water.

I use the "mason jar" screw onto plate water for my chicks until 10 weeks. I use the 1qt jar per 15 chicks and have two in my makeshift brooder boxes for 25 chicks.

Once I begin to move my chicks into the outdoors from the barn I have chicken water nipples. I have them setup on a 2" PVC pipe from a 60gallon food grade barrel which is elevated at 6' from the ground and has a screen to catch fresh rain water.

You can go much simpler by getting a 5 gallon food grade bucket and 5 nipples. Hang in coop and you will be all set. I like to ensure my flock has plenty plenty of water! Yes one nipple would be ok for 5 hens, but the pecking order may get involved.

The bucket system with 5 nipples should cost you like $15-$20 tops. Also remember to wash and cleanse the bucket weekly to prevent algae or other growth.

Hope my two cents helps! I am in the process of learning as well as I am beginning a new flock with chicks and will begin hatching my own (hopefully).

Also I am looking for ways to make homesteading as easy as possible for the average person who wants fresh, healthy, and a better way to spend time with family doing a hobby.

Have fun! Be Safe! Enjoy!

 

[mrlacewing]

Thanks!! That's more that two cents worth! I want to get a system like yours set up at some point. I quickly realized that a dish was not going to work.

 

[duskins]

Just remember if using a 5gallon bucket with nipples I know many use 5 nipples and I spoke f it earlier, but I have been monitoring my flocks via CCTV and found after the last 7 days the two 5 gallon bucks I have with 3 nipples in a triangle pattern were better and less water was wasted.

I am also trying on one coop to put the "nipple cups" to see if it makes a noticeable difference. I will advise if I ind something out through my "Super Low Tech" research.

Maybe I will get a Drone to monitor my hogs?

 

[Rich386]

Nothing cheaper or better never refill it!

 

[Dee Dee 2]

Thank you , Thank you , ! I knew there was a better way ! Never thought of a toilet tank. A 5 gal bucket down here just would not work. To hot an humid, would have green slimey mold in 2 days. Impossible to keep clean. Would like somemore details on this kean, cool idea. !. WHERE DID YOU GET THE WATER NIPPLES ?? They look a little different than some I have seen.
Have a friend in remodleing, shooting them a email to save me the next tank they have. THANK YOU !

 

[Dee Dee 2]

How high does the tank have to be elevated or does it matter ?

 

[Rich386]

Thank you , Thank you , ! I knew there was a better way ! Never thought of a toilet tank. A 5 gal bucket down here just would not work. To hot an humid, would have green slimey mold in 2 days. Impossible to keep clean. Would like somemore details on this kean, cool idea. !. WHERE DID YOU GET THE WATER NIPPLES ?? They look a little different than some I have seen.
Have a friend in remodleing, shooting them a email to save me the next tank they have. THANK YOU !

Since I took this photo I made a few changes that would make it even better. I added a Little Giant fountain pump to circulate the water. In my case it was to keep it from freezing. For you it would help because the water would never be standing and might deter any mold. I put the pump in the tank and ran tubing out where the flush handle is. I connected that to one end of the nipple run and it recirculates the water.
As to the tank this is a gravity fed system so the tank just has to be higher than the nipples. The feed is from your hose into the flush valve pictured on the left. The hole in the tank that went to the commode has been reduced to 3/4" with PVC. Community Chickens did an article on it titled RICH'S LIFE CHANGING DEVICE it gave a complete set of instructions. See if you can get that if not let me know. Go to the for sale section they are there HORIZONTAL POULTRY WATERING NIPPLES.

 

[Scott H]

I looked at nipple after getting tired of cleaning the waterer daily. What good is a waterer that holds 3 to 5 gallons if it fills up with litter daily?
After reading about the nipple I decided personally they weren't for me because I thought the linoleum floor covered with pine shavings would make a gooey mess. So I am trying this now.....




It was super easy to install and doesn't not leak. I just mounted it high enough that they really have to work to kick any litter in it and gave them a step to stand on to drink.



Once in a while I just mop it out with a rag to clean it out. If you don't have to worry about a little spilled water, nipples are even more maintenance free...