Ultimate DIY Chicken Waterer: Rain Barrel Nipple System
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- Опубліковано 15 вер 2024
- Refilling our chicken's (filthy) water on a daily basis was driving me crazy. I knew there had to be a better way, and there is. This is what I came up with.
Originally intended to fed by rain water, I quickly realized that a 55 gallon drum's worth of water could last our 12 chickens months, so I just empty and fill it with hose water manually from time to time.
The 55 gallon drum came from a nearby Aloe factory and cost $10 (look an craigslist in your area and you should find plenty to choose from - just make sure it is FOOD GRADE and never contained chemicals).
The PVC and fittings are all 3/4" and the red nipples are the threaded kind you can find on Amazon. I think I paid $6 or $7 for 10 of them. Getting them into the 3/4" PVC pipe was definitely the most difficult part of the whole project for me. You need to drill the correct sized pilot hole first, which I finally figured out after a lot of trial and error. They also make push in style (instead of threaded) and clip-on style ones that are made for PVC pipe - you may have better luck with those.
One thing I didn't show/explain well in the video was the part where the water comes out of the barrel. It's a pre-existing screw-in cap that I added some plumber's tape to and threaded in very tightly. I drilled out the middle portion of the cap with a 1/2" drill bit and glued my first PVC fitting into place. It fit perfectly and worked great.
P.S. Sorry for all the mis-speakings ("drip irrigation?" Really?) and unpolished video. That's what you get when you shoot one take and upload the video without editing. But hopefully you get the idea. :)
NICE SETUP! SEEMS LIKE THE WAY TO GO! AWESOME THAT YOU ARE CAPTURING AND USING RAIN WATER. SAVES HAULING IT TOO.
THANKS FOR SHARING WHAT YOU LEARNED. VERY INSPIRING.
Mark - great system, especially the quick disconnect and the improvised water level gauge. Also, you can still use the gutter system to fill up your tank. Just look up "first flush diverter" as demonstrated by Engineer775.
Luis del Valle Thanks - the one negative about the water level gauge is that it does tend to get a little bit of algae in it due to being light exposed. I wouldn't do it any other way though.
Randy Stetzer We are in Florida and don't have to worry about freezing temps. That never even crossed my mind. It's nearly a closed system, so we've never had mosquito issues. Same for algae - since light doesn't get into the inside, it's algae free EXCEPT for the water level gauge area, but that's not bad at all. I add a bit of apple cider vinegar to it every now and then and have been happy with the quality of water.
Very creative idea. If I wasn't afraid of it freezing up here I would definitely try it.
Out of all the watering systems, I think I like this one the best. Not only is it messy free like a watering pan would be, but you added an air tube at the end that gives you the water level without having to tap the side of the barrel and try and guess the level.... I think I may take this idea with the coop I am currently building.
Since I live in Indiana, I'll have freezing temps, so I will have to come up with a away to keep the water & pipes from freezing. My mind is already working :)
Thanks again.
@anthony pippin jr - If the end stopped at a cap, the water wouldn't be able to fill it properly, as air would get locked in there and would prevent it from filling. At least I think that is what would happen. And the pressure is impressive. When I fill the barrel now and open the valve, it actually flushes all the way through the system and shoots out of the top of the water gauge. I do that a few times to rinse it between refills. Even when it's low, the pressure is decent due to the height of the barrel.
Very smart and well thought out. Thanks for the tips! I'm going to Lowe's for the supplies now :-)
That's pretty cool. Nice job.
In the winter though couldn't the line freeze and break the system? Maybe you could get a heater system to prevent that during especially cold days.
vexx506 We are in Florida, so freezing isn't a concern. There have been a few comments about that, and I'm not sure what to suggest, as that never even crossed my mind. :)
Like it -we spend to much on our chickens don't we i think my eggs will be 4 dollars each LOL .
Looks really good I may make me one just like this based off of ur video, but I must ask instead of putting the hose at the end wouldn't u want the end to stop at a cap? Also I love how much pressure the 55 gallon drum gives. How full was it?
Apologies for not approving and replying to comments until now. I posted this video under an old email address and guess I never thought to check back. I'll respond to questions now, but just a quick update - it's now 2 years later, and this system is still working like a champ! I've not had to change out a single nipple. I refill the barrel every 4-6 weeks or so, and add a small bit of apple cider vinegar to keep it clean. Our chickens love it!
I love your idea and am considering trying it. My questions begin with where are you? I'm asking because I'm wondering if you have to deal with freezing winters as I do here in NH...and if so, how? I was considering a pond deicer in the barrel, but water freezing in PVC would be a nightmare. Second, what do you do to prevent mosquitoes and algae and such?
LOL, "Bottom of the barrel!"
Good job Mark! You mentioned some dripping by the nipples and I saw some damage to the plywood underneath. Have you thought of the small, self filling cups?
David Dube No, I didn't consider that... but it's been 2 years now, and while the plywood has a bit of algae in those spots, I haven't had to replace it.
Water drinking device, chicken nipples bucket
Check ou tthis one I made, same basic idea just a different spin on it