Winter Waterer Recommendations?

[Orit]

And thanks so much for supplying a photo! It's always so helpful for visual learners such as myself.

 

[mobius]

Hmmm.... interesting. So you submerge the heater into the water? Where does the hose that plugs into electricity come out in your drinker? Also, what are you using as a drinker? I've never seen a set up like this. Is it an actual drinker, or is this something you constructed yourself? Thanks so much for sharing! I'm open to any option, as long as it won't require too much self-construction (I have never had much success with any of those types of projects), and not too expensive.

Yes the heater is submerged at the bottom of the bucket. I later cut a small hole in the lid where the cord comes through. The red nipples are "horizontal nipples". I got them on ebay. The chickens tap on the nipples and water comes out in small amounts, not enough to drip. I had to show them how to use it and they got used to it. I drilled correct size holes in bucket and screwed them in. They do not leak. I am not handy either. While there was cost involved, I figured this was it, and I was done. And it is working great. The heater is used in winter, otherwise it is not in the bucket. Doesn't seem to add to humidity in coop either. No mess, no fuss.

 

[Orit]

I am impressed and inspired! So I'm guessing you could probably use any large bucket with a lid? What did you use to drill the holes for the horizontal nipples in the bucket? Is it a special type of drill? (this is an indicator of how impaired I am with such things). I like the idea of the drip. I read somewhere else on this sight that these types of drinkers keep the water cleaner. How often do you have to clean the drinker and change the water with this set up?

 

[Orit]

Thanks for sharing your photos! It's nice to see how others deal with this problem.

 

[mobius]

I am impressed and inspired! Thank you (blushing) got the idea from this forum. So I'm guessing you could probably use any large bucket with a lid? Yes. What did you use to drill the holes for the horizontal nipples in the bucket? Regular drill with correct size drill bit, they tell you on nipple package. I marked it with a sharpie, easy! You can put more than two nipples on, or on more than one side. Is it a special type of drill? (this is an indicator of how impaired I am with such things) No. me too lol.. I like the idea of the drip. I read somewhere else on this sight that these types of drinkers keep the water cleaner. How often do you have to clean the drinker and change the water with this set up? Once a week.

Hole in lid for cord about the size of a prescription bottle cap. I had a hole saw drill bit for that but might also be able to use a sharp knife or razor blade. The plastic on mine was fairly thin.

 

[Orit]

Just found the horizontal nipples on Amazon and eBay. I am actually seriously considering this! (based on your claim that installation was.) A few more questions (sorry!):
1. What size bucket do you use? (I am currently down to 2 hens but will be replenishing my flock in the Spring.)
2. My current drinker gets overgrown with algae in the summer months. It doesn't matter how often I clean it, and someone had suggested to put a little vinegar in the water too. How does your set up hold up in the summer (with regards to algae growth).
3. I get totally nervous when I think about electricity and water living together. Clearly you feel confident enough in your heater that you don't feel concerned about this, correct?

Thanks again!

 

[mobius]

Just found the horizontal nipples on Amazon and eBay. I am actually seriously considering this! (based on your claim that installation was.) A few more questions (sorry!):don't apologize, happy to help always!
1. What size bucket do you use? (I am currently down to 2 hens but will be replenishing my flock in the Spring.) 4 gallons, six hens. The round buckets are about five gallons. Initially when they were smaller, I had nipples on a one gallon cleaned out vinegar jug. Worked great. you can remove them and put them on another bucket. One gallon might be simpler for you at this point...easy to clean and refresh maybe?
2. My current drinker gets overgrown with algae in the summer months. It doesn't matter how often I clean it, and someone had suggested to put a little vinegar in the water too. How does your set up hold up in the summer (with regards to algae growth).Vinegar helps.
3. I get totally nervous when I think about electricity and water living together. Clearly you feel confident enough in your heater that you don't feel concerned about this, correct? Here I got one of these to plug into existing outlet to resolve any worries: GFCI adapter.http://www.ebay.com/itm/311680164331?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Can't find the adapter easily so went to ebay again. Least expensive one I found.

Thanks again! Very welcome.

 

[Orit]

OK - I think I just stumbled on to my next project! Thank you so much, again! I may return with more questions in the future (high likelihood

 

[juanmbravo]

Thank you, Juanmbravo!  What drinkers do you use, and what bird bath heaters (I don't think I know what these are)?  Do you have pictures or links to a site, perhaps?  Thanks so much!

I bought the drinkers from Foys pigeon supplies...3394 Spanish Divided Drinker/Feeder-but you can use any size plastic container that will hold the heater. I got the heaters from H&M on bird bath heaters on Amazon.

 

[juanmbravo]