Winter and Summer Watering system w/ waterer nipples and heater.

[aart]

So I didn't stick to the winter water plan. I found I go out to visit my babes enough I might as well just bring out water anyways. I think having a constant supply for summer will be my problem. I'm away more in the summer. I really like the cup and PVC waterers..... BUT will my chickens convert back to the other waterer for winter? I can't use PVC in winter .

Sure they will...might take them a minute to get it, but they'll get it.

 

[aritchey]

Here is my watering setup. I can flush the 10 gallon igloo tank to the outside drain by opening the bottom valve. The top valve is used to recirculate the water in the winter using a hydroponics water pump ( not shown). A small heater in the igloo keeps the temperature above freezing. In the event of a pump failure, the system stills feeds by gravity. I installed a low level tank switch to a relay that turns on a warning lamp that I can see from the house. This also shuts down the heater and pump to prevent them from burning up. Under the nipple pipe is a 1-1/4" half pipe to catch the water into the drain when I flush the nipples or in the event a nipple leaks to keep the litter dry.

 

[aart]

Here is my watering setup. I can flush the 10 gallon igloo tank to the outside drain by opening the bottom valve. The top valve is used to recirculate the water in the winter using a hydroponics water pump ( not shown). A small heater in the igloo keeps the temperature above freezing. In the event of a pump failure, the system stills feeds by gravity. I installed a low level tank switch to a relay that turns on a warning lamp that I can see from the house. This also shuts down the heater and pump to prevent them from burning up. Under the nipple pipe is a 1-1/4" half pipe to catch the water into the drain when I flush the nipples or in the event a nipple leaks to keep the litter dry.

Nice.....more pics please, inside igloo.
Is the pump only circulating the water inside the igloo?
What climate do you live in? You can add your location to your profile.
What is the thing to the right of the cooler?

 

[aritchey]

The water pump lifts water from inside the igloo and sends it through a hose into the top valve and back feeds it through the nipple pipe and back up into the igloo making a full loop. I live in Northwest Indiana where we have cold winters. The item on the right of the igloo is an oil filled radiant heater. I thought about making a copper loop to grab some warmth from the heater in place of a submersible heater but thought the additional tubing and fittings would exceed the cost of the submersible. It may have to wait until next winter to fully prove itself out now that Spring is soon to arrive.

This is a new style nipple for me. I used to use brass horizontal ones and 1/4" plastic tubing. They worked good until one started leaking or a bird would rip one off dumping all the water on the coop floor. Now you can understand why I made a drain trough. The recirculating of heated water is the big improvement. I used to remove this setup and replace it with a standard font on a heated base in cold weather.

 

[aart]

The water pump lifts water from inside the igloo and sends it through a hose into the top valve and back feeds it through the nipple pipe and back up into the igloo making a full loop. I live in Northwest Indiana where we have cold winters. The item on the right of the igloo is an oil filled radiant heater. I thought about making a copper loop to grab some warmth from the heater in place of a submersible heater but thought the additional tubing and fittings would exceed the cost of the submersible. It may have to wait until next winter to fully prove itself out now that Spring is soon to arrive.

This is a new style nipple for me. I used to use brass horizontal ones and 1/4" plastic tubing. They worked good until one started leaking or a bird would rip one off dumping all the water on the coop floor. Now you can understand why I made a drain trough. The recirculating of heated water is the big improvement. I used to remove this setup and replace it with a standard font on a heated base in cold weather.

I only see the one hose at the end of the nipple pipe...is the supply hose disconnected in this pic?
Is that 3/4" pvc?

What kind of submersible heater are you using? Thermostat?
No problems with freezing within the nipple itself this winter?

This is the heated, recirculating nipple system of my dreams! Glad to see one executed and functional.

 

[aritchey]

The photo was taken before the hose was attached to the pump. The pipe is 3/4". I am using a 250 watt bucket deicer. I may add a thermo cube to only run below 35 degrees. I did not get to try it in the really cold weather. It has been above 12 degrees since I set it up this way. The radiant heater and insulated walls keep it just above freezing at that outside temperature.

 

[aart]

Bucket decider doesn't have a thermostat built in? Never used one, so I don't know.
Ever stick a submersible thermometer in there to see what it temp tit keep the water at?

 

[crazichicknlady]

Quote:
I think a low water level sensor is a fantastic idea! Can you tell me what you used specifically to make the it with the warning lamp? Please post pictures if possible.

 

[aritchey]

I hope this helps.

 

[aritchey]

I now have a 20 gallon tank to accommodate the pump and heater. I wrapped it with foil bubble wrap insulation to block light and improve the heater efficiency.