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

[EricKop]

All good stuff BYCers! I'm new to byc as a member but consulted a lot for my coop build. I had a good water system for summer but we had a cold spell in Nj and I froze. Lots of good ideas here. My current system has a 4 in PVC holding tank outside the coop that narrows down to a 3/4 inch PVC pipe inside the run. I had a pump and heater but too much trouble treading the 3/8 inch tubing from the pump into the 3/4 inch PVC with the bends my design has.

So, I just went out and got 4 inch PVC and fittings to to make a full 4 inch water system with external fill up, internal nipples (3 for my six girls) and a purge at the end to flush the system.

I currently bleach and purge weekly to keep it clean. Seems to work except for ice and leaky nipples!

I figure I can easily get the heater and pump tubing through 4 inches of bending PVC. 3/4 inch just didn't make it easy!

My question is do any of you have a nipple system with 4 inch PVC and any advice before I start drilling and sawing?!? Tx all!

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Make sure the center pin in your nipples can't be pushed out if installed in a large pipe. Some are made so the pipe is what retains the pins

 

[Robert M]

If y'all have electric close by...

LOOK HERE

 

[NYcue]

Robert M... Why use one of these high-watt water heaters from TSC? They do keep the water warm but at a cost.

I use a bird bath water heater... http://www.amazon.com/9000-Eliminat...d=1384533754&sr=8-1&keywords=birdbath+heaters


I keep this unit in a 5 gallon bucket with chicken nipples on the bottom. Last year for a period of 2 weeks the weather dropped to 0 degrees and this unit which is only 50 Watts not only prevented the water from freezing... it also kept the nipples from freezing as well. And I keep the water in the run and not in the Coop. Why pay all that electric to keep the water way above freezing?

 

[Robert M]

Robert M... Why use one of these high-watt water heaters from TSC? They do keep the water warm but at a cost.

I use a bird bath water heater... http://www.amazon.com/9000-Eliminat...d=1384533754&sr=8-1&keywords=birdbath+heaters


I keep this unit in a 5 gallon bucket with chicken nipples on the bottom. Last year for a period of 2 weeks the weather dropped to 0 degrees and this unit which is only 50 Watts not only prevented the water from freezing... it also kept the nipples from freezing as well. And I keep the water in the run and not in the Coop. Why pay all that electric to keep the water way above freezing?

This one is $3 cheaper... and it'll do a 55G barrel.


Allied Precision Floating De-icer, 1500 W
217049599
(7)

$24.99

 

[aart]

This one is $3 cheaper... and it'll do a 55G barrel.


Allied Precision Floating De-icer, 1500 W
217049599
(7)

$24.99

1500 Watts is overkill and a waste of money.

 

[Robert M]

1500 Watts is overkill and a waste of money.

Forget it!

 

[jimmywalt]

And this one is even cheaper!!!

Only $14.94
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tetra-Heater-1-ct/10291808


And here's the instructions on how I'm using it..............
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ated-waterer-for-under-20-bucks#post_12211685

 

[EricKop]

I wanted to share my final winter/summer watering solution. I used all schedule 40 4 in PVC. 3 nipples inside the coop. Outside of the back has a purge with outdoor spicket. Outside fill tube has a fitted baffle to allow air in so the nipples can release water. I drilled a small hole at the top of the fill tube to sink a water warmer and small pump to circulate the warmed water. NO LEAKS! I plan to still insulate the PVC tube. I like the idea of iodine to keep water fresh. Lastly, I like the idea of a thermacube to only turn the pump on when needed. All good stuff I learned from this post. Thanks. Here is my final system. Cheers all!

 

[kimmerjo]

Like to hear how you make out.. not an easy fix.   Keep us posted.

. So far so good had a few cold night's and snow just had to break a top layer of ice. I only filled the barrel half up. It's is a nice day today so I'm going to empty it and put fresh water in . Any idea how to keep water from getting yucky? I don't want to give my chickens bad water?