Chicken productivity, their health, appearance depend not only on feeding or habitat, but also on what kind of water and from what they drink. They make drinking bowls for chickens different types. Some of them are easy to make yourself, others are available for sale at one price or another, but in any case, before purchasing or making a drinking bowl, it is worth weighing the pros and cons. We must not forget that the drinking bowl must be convenient both for the chickens and for the breeder, who will have to clean it and fill it with water.
What should a chicken drinker be like?
Criteria for choosing a drinking bowl for chickens
Before you decide on the type of chicken drinker for your farm, it is worth studying what qualities it should have.
- Convenience for birds. Of course, the drinking bowl must meet the needs of the hens and roosters who will use it. You cannot purchase drinking bowls for chickens that are designed for ducks, quails, and especially animals like pigs, rabbits, etc.
- The drinking bowl should also be convenient for the breeder, because he will be the one who will clean it and fill it with water. It can be any design, but the main thing is that you can take it out of the chicken coop, clean it, and fill it at any time.
- Strength and stability – important qualities. Chickens and roosters can be very active, which can lead to chaos in the coop and on the run. It is not difficult for them to turn over a small container, a bowl of sand, a feeder and a water bottle, as long as it is light. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to drinkers that have average weight, stable shape, and durable material.
- The drinking bowl must be safe: high-quality material and its proper processing. For example, many metal structures have sharp edges, and this is dangerous; also, certain metals can rust, and low-quality plastic can emit harmful substances into water or air.
- And finally - the purity of the water. Increasingly, breeders are purchasing water containers closed type, since they are more useful. The water in them does not need to be changed often; it becomes dirty slowly, which means that birds get sick less often and feel great, since they have constant access to fresh, clean water. Another plus is that closed containers allow you to add vitamins and minerals to the water without the fear that the chickens will tip the container over and expensive additives will end up on the floor.
Types of drinkers for chickens
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Types of drinkers for chickens
A drinking bowl for chickens can even be an old tin can or plastic box placed on the floor. The main thing is that enough water is placed in it. However, such containers are unreliable, and the water in them quickly becomes dirty, so although previously this is what chicken drinkers looked like (for the most part), today more practical and convenient types are popular.
- Vacuum designs are very convenient to use. Water is replenished in the drinking trough as it is emptied. But you need to know how to work with them and they often break if they are of poor quality, so saving on them is not a good idea.
- Nipple drinkers for chickens have proven themselves to be simple and accessible to everyone. They have many advantages: accessible, functional, safe and easy to use.
Small, open drinkers are usually used for chickens, as they are easy to work with. But for large birds they are not practical.
- Cup designs are a container (bowl) from which chickens will drink, into which water is supplied from a barrel. Both of these containers are connected with a hose.
- Siphon drinkers are made from a glass with a siphon system and a tray where water is supplied. Such drinking bowls can be floor-standing, hanging, or on legs.
- Simple drinkers are metal or plastic basins, boxes filled with water and installed on the floor of the chicken coop. Although this is the most affordable option, it is also the most undesirable, as it has a lot of disadvantages: rapid contamination of the liquid, the need to frequently change and clean the container, chickens knock them over, and the risk of contracting diseases increases.
In addition, drinking bowls are made of different materials: plastic, metal, glass, wood and have different sizes.
How to choose drinking bowls for chickens?
Choosing a drinker for chickens
When choosing a drinking bowl for chickens, the breeder needs to pay attention not only to its type, but also to the quality and some other points. Purchasing a drinking bowl in a store does not always pay off, especially if the budget is small. What should you pay attention to?
- It must meet the qualities described in the first paragraph of the article.
- It is advisable to select a product from a well-known manufacturer.
- The price shouldn't be too tempting. It takes a lot of money to make a good design, so you shouldn’t count on a low price.
- Dyes should not be handled. Sometimes brightly colored plastic, metal, or wood can be picked up. If, when examining the product, the buyer sees that the hands are stained, then this is a bad drinker. Such paint will easily get into the water, and then into the stomachs of birds.
- The drinking bowl must be simple, concise, and easy to use.
- The size is adjusted according to the number of individuals.
How to make a drinking bowl for chickens with your own hands?
DIY chicken drinker
It is easy to buy waterers for chickens at a farm store or online, but they are not always worth the price. In order not to overpay, you can make a drinking bowl for chickens with your own hands. Below are options that are available and quite simple to implement.
- Take a bottle (plastic) of any capacity. In addition to the bottle, you need a bowl where the liquid will drain. A metal, wire or wooden frame is made against the wall (to hold the bottle upside down). A container is placed under the frame into which water will pour (purchased or selected container). Now the bottle is filled, the cap is closed and installed in the frame with the neck down. It is very important that there is a distance (small) between the neck and the bottom of the bowl. Now you need to slightly unscrew the lid (but do not remove it) and enough water will flow into the bowl.
To prevent water from spilling out of the bowl in a bottle drinker, it is important to ensure that the edges of its sides are higher than the level of the bottom of the neck of the bottle.
- For a large chicken coop, drinking bowls are often made from sewer pipes. In this case, take a pipe with a diameter of about 10 cm. Rectangular holes are cut out of it (from which the chickens will drink). They should be up to 30 cm long, and such a width that the chickens are comfortable. A distance of up to 15 cm is maintained between the rectangular holes. At the two ends of the pipe, tees with plugs are made to supply and drain water (you can connect it to the water supply and make a valve tap). Now all that remains is to attach the pipe to the wall with clamps or another method and the device is ready.
- To make a nipple drinker you need to take a bucket or similar container (liquid will be poured into it). Then several holes are made in its bottom into which you need to attach nipples (they can be purchased at the store). All that remains is to fill the bucket with water, close the lid and hang it up.
Drinkers for chickens come in different types and are selected according to needs. For a small farm, a small nipple is enough, but for a large farm, a pipe design is more likely to be suitable, allowing it to be quickly filled and drained old water. But, in addition, such a drinking bowl should be convenient for cleaning and adding microelements to the water (if necessary). So before you decide, it’s worth considering different options, and perhaps even try some of them on the farm - this will allow you to understand which type of drinkers is the best in a given case.
Beginner poultry keepers are always looking for information about the various nuances of keeping feathered pets. Today we will partially quench the thirst of those who are mastering the business of raising chickens. Let's look at how to build nests for laying hens and drinking bowls for chickens with your own hands. Photo, original ideas with details of their implementation are waiting for you on this page.
DIY nests for laying hens
If there are no nests in the chicken coop for laying hens, the birds will build them themselves. Then the eggs will be dirty, and you will have to look for them throughout the room, and in the most remote and dark corners. In addition, chickens may peck eggs lying on the floor.
The photo shows nests for laying hens
The structure of a chicken nest is not complicated or original, so even with a superficial acquaintance with a hammer, nails and a hacksaw, you can build it with your own hands. In the photo you see a simple homemade design for laying hens. Select the location where the nests will be located and decide on the type and size of future nests.
To ensure that laying hens willingly use the provided nests for their intended purpose, make them comfortable and place them in right place. A self-made structure must be reliable and safe.
One nest is enough for three to five laying hens.
Nests should be located away from the entrance in a shaded and dry place at a height of 30 cm.
When creating a structure with your own hands, you should not use materials that could injure birds.
The nest must be designed to accommodate a dense insulating layer.
The type of structure for laying hens should be easy to maintain.
Nests for laying hens (pictured) are easy to make with your own hands
Dimensions and structure of a chicken nest
To create a chicken nest with your own hands, many containers of suitable size are suitable: baskets, boxes, boxes. You can build a structure from boards, plywood sheets and other suitable materials.
Recommended nest sizes:
25-30 cm wide;
35-40 cm in length;
35-45 cm in height;
5-10 cm - threshold.
The size of the nest may vary depending on the size of the hens. A take-off stick must be attached at a distance of 10 cm from the entrance.
Types of nests for laying hens:
1. Simple. It is a cozy box or booth for birds.
2. With egg collector
Nest with egg collector - very convenient
Making your own chicken nest
When creating nests from scrap materials, check the prepared baskets, boxes or drawers for strength and integrity. Remove all irregularities and roughness with a knife or sandpaper.
It is best to make nests from boards with your own hands. Multi-section boxes will save space and have good strength. Such designs for laying hens are usually used by experienced poultry farmers.
Scheme for creating a simple multi-section nest
2. We fasten them and strengthen each corner on the inside of the structure with timber.
3. Leave the entrance side completely open or cut out suitable sized holes for each cell. The height of the threshold is from 5 to 10 cm.
4. We attach the take-off platform at a distance of 10 cm from the inlet.
5. We attach a ladder to the platform.
Features of the structure of a nest with an egg collector
In such nests, the eggs will remain clean and untouched by the chickens, and they will be easier to collect. In everything except the bottom, the design is similar to the previous one. There are several ways to attach the egg collector to the nest:
Make the bottom with a slope towards the back wall, ending with a hole. Place a retractable tray underneath where the eggs will roll.
Design the bottom in such a way that the eggs roll into the slot in the middle and end up in the pull-out tray.
Make the back wall shorter and the bottom inclined toward it protruding beyond the structure. Fence the protruding part so that the eggs do not fall out.
Do-it-yourself drinking bowls for chickens: ideas, photos
Inexperienced poultry farmers often use open containers as drinking bowls for chickens: bowls, basins, troughs. This option cannot be called ideal, since the water in this case quickly becomes polluted. It is best to spend time and energy making closed drinking bowls with your own hands.
Types of closed drinking bowls for chickens:
From a bottle or pipe. By placing a plastic bottle with holes cut out horizontally, you can make an excellent waterer for chickens. This way they won’t get wet, and the water will stay clean longer. You can also use plastic pipe, securing it at a height and connecting it to the water supply system.
Plastic pipe drinking bowl - an original idea
Vacuum design. It is necessary to hang a plastic bottle with the neck down on the wall using a metal or wire frame. Water from it will gradually flow into the plastic tray, provided that there is a small gap between the neck of the bottle and the bottom of the tray. The sides of the utensils used should be high enough to prevent water from overflowing. Instead of a bottle, you can use a glass jar.
The photo shows a vacuum drinker for chickens
Nipple drinker. The structure is created from a plastic pipe or bucket. We cut holes in the selected item and screw nipples into them at a distance of 20-25 cm from each other. Then we hang the finished drinker to the required height. The bucket will have to be filled by hand, but the pipe can be connected to a water supply or a large container of water.
The photo shows a nipple drinker for chickens
Even a novice poultry farmer can master building a drinking bowl for chickens with his own hands. Photos, original ideas and the basic principles of their implementation were presented in the most accessible form. Making a nest for laying hens is a little more difficult, although if you wish, you can stick to the simplest options. You can develop the business of breeding chickens gradually, moving over time from elementary designs to more original ones.
Watch the video: Drinking bowl for chickens from plastic bottle with your own hands
Poultry farming is not only a tedious task, but also an expensive one, since in order to keep chickens and earn money from the final product, you need to purchase a considerable amount of equipment. One of the expense items will be drinking bowls, since the chickens turn over the usual open deep dishes, and as a result they experience constant thirst and lack of water. However, instead of purchasing expensive chicken supplies, you can try doing them yourself. In this material we will tell you how to make a waterer for chickens with your own hands, and spend a minimum of money on it.
As you know, there are many different types of chicken drinkers. Regardless of which one you choose for homemade production, it must meet the following requirements:
- was convenient for chickens to use;
- easy to wash;
- filled with water effortlessly;
- was protected from dirt and spills;
- was made from non-toxic, safe materials;
- was a reliable design.
In addition, the manufactured structure should not have protruding sharp segments, which chickens, being far from the smartest animals, can easily injure themselves on.
Still, the main requirements for structures for watering chickens are their compliance with safety standards
The material used to make the product is also of great importance. Thus, glass is absolutely not suitable for a chicken coop, as it is heavy and can easily break if tipped over. In addition, technical plastic is also not suitable for use as a drinking bowl; you need non-toxic, food-grade plastic, in which toxic substances have not previously been stored, the remains of which can be absorbed into the walls of the container and then poison your feathered charges.
What types of drinkers are there?
So, since you intend to equip your chicken coop with drinkers, you need to figure out what they are. Let's pay attention to the table below.
Table 1. What types of drinking bowls exist for chickens
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| As the name suggests, these drinkers are made using nipples - connecting tubes that allow water to be dispensed to the chickens. The main advantage of the structures under consideration is that the water inside them is completely protected from: The nipples are equipped with valves, upon which the chickens capture water and literally suck out the liquid in the amount they need. In addition, there is another type of nipple drinkers - drip devices equipped with a drip collection. There is only one drawback to such designs, but it is significant: if you have a lot of chickens, then you will either have to make many nipple drinkers, or equip one large one with numerous water outlets so that the chickens can drink from it at the same time. |
| This type of drinker is equipped according to the principle of vacuum formation. It does not require the purchase of virtually any materials, all you need is: Fill the container with water, cover the top with a tray and turn it over. The liquid will fill the drinker and the chickens will drink from it. As the liquid in the lower segment decreases, the water in the container will decrease without spilling due to the formation of a vacuum. All the positive aspects of such a drinker are obvious, however, it is still more suitable for small chickens, since adults are able to turn the structure over. |
| The traditional and simplest type of drinkers, made in the form of cups suspended at the level of the birds’ necks. Chickens can drink water from there completely freely, and you don’t have to worry about containers being knocked over or spilled. But there are significant disadvantages: |
| The operation of these drinkers is based on the principle of communicating vessels. You can fill the structure with water without going inside the chicken coop, which is very convenient. However, at the same time, these drinkers require constant cleaning of debris, which will take up a considerable amount of your time. |
So, we learned the basics existing species drinking bowl It should be said that all devices for feeding chickens can also vary in type, and will:
- automated;
- require manual fluid replenishment.
Thus, the first type of device will require the poultry farmer to only periodically change and replenish the water in the tank. These include:
- vacuum structures;
- cup ones, if you didn’t just hang them on the walls of the chicken coop, but equipped them with a supply to the tank.
Manual varieties of drinkers are:
- nipple;
- siphon.
It is very difficult to come up with a supply for them, so most often the amount of water in them is regulated by the rate of its decrease and the frequency of refilling carried out by the farmer.
When choosing the type of drinker that suits you, you need to base it on many factors, for example:
- the materials you have in stock for manufacturing;
- availability of funds to purchase the necessary materials;
- amount of free time;
- the ability to independently carry out various complex designs.
However, even with the smallest budget or even its absence, as well as lack of experience in the manufacture of such items, you can always find more simple options implementation of ideas. For example, a vacuum drinker can be made from:
- dense plastic;
- regular water bottles.
Let's look at the most acceptable options for implementing our idea in the following step by step instructions for the production of drinking bowls of various types.
Instruction No. 1 - making a nipple drinker
Step No. 1 - collecting the necessary materials
So, before we start making a drinking bowl, we will need to thoroughly search our supplies or visit a hardware store in order to have at our disposal all the materials we need. Here are the names we are talking about:
- nipples, at the rate of: 1 piece for 2 heads;
- a piece of plastic pipe with the following parameters: 50 centimeters in diameter, 2 meters long;
- a drill corresponding to the diameter of the nipple, usually 9 millimeters;
- plastic water tank with a capacity of up to 20 liters;
- tool for making carvings on plastic;
- pipe plugs;
- tap to shut off the flow of water;
- rectangular adapters, which will then connect the pipes (the quantity is determined individually depending on the size of the poultry house and the type of liquid supply);
- fastening materials;
- rubber gaskets;
- drip tray, if necessary.
By the way, you can avoid buying a water tank if you plan to give your chickens running water to drink, but only if you have your own well on your property. Chlorinated water is not suitable for use in poultry houses.
If the possibility of filing running water is missing, remember, the tank should not be heavy or inconvenient, since sometimes it will have to be removed from its installed place for washing.
Step No. 2 - draw up a diagram of the location of structural parts
So, in order to properly design a drinking bowl, you need to draw up a diagram that will clearly indicate the location:
- tank;
- pipes;
- nipples.
If your chicken coop has an unusual shape, or you have drawing skills, take liberties with your imagination and design an individual layout. In other cases, you can use the traditional nipple drinking device diagram presented in this step.
Step No. 3 - assembling the drinking bowl
Assembling a chicken drinking bowl is a process that involves many different steps. Let us designate them further in the numbered list in order.
It doesn’t matter what your individual drinking bowl design will be, the main thing is that the pipes of the structure are located at a height equal to no less and no more than 25-30 centimeters from the floor.
As you can see, there are minimal difficulties in manufacturing. Every farmer can cope with them.
Instruction No. 2 - making a vacuum drinker
As we already mentioned just above, a vacuum drinker is a container, inside of which there is water, inverted into a bowl, or having a neck that drops into this very bowl for drinking.
Water is retained in this design due to the presence of a difference in atmospheric pressure. Thanks to this phenomenon, as the water in the drinking bowl decreases, it is automatically poured from the main container into the lower segment of the structure, from where the chickens consume it.
Making such equipment for a chicken coop with your own hands is quite simple.
Step No. 1 - collect the necessary materials
As always, you should first collect the materials necessary for the manufacture of the structure, in this case presented:
- plastic containers, for example, a tank with a volume of 5 or more liters;
- a plastic basin, the height of the sides of which for adult birds will be 10 centimeters, for chicks no more than 3;
- fastening devices for installing the tank;
- screwdriver;
- self-tapping screws.
Instead of a tank, you can take an ordinary five-liter bottle from under drinking water, making the construction of the structure even more budget-friendly. However, you can use other containers, however, it is important to take into account the size of their neck, which should be smaller than the lower segment of the drinker, in which water will accumulate.
Step No. 2 - install and assemble the drinker
We will assemble and install the device in several stages. 1. So, first of all, we will need to choose a place to install the drinking bowl. It will be located against a free wall of the chicken coop, which the chickens can easily approach.
- We screw the fasteners for the plastic tank using self-tapping screws and a screwdriver to the wall of the building.
- Inside the tank (or bottle) we collect drinking water, preferably previously purified from impurities.
- We lean the water bowl against the opening of the tank and quickly turn the structure over so that water does not spill from it.
- We fix the tank with fastening devices to the wall. It is very important to take into account that the tank will need to be removed periodically for washing and filling, so think in advance about how to secure it.
- To add water to the tank, you can drill an additional hole at the top and equip it with a valve.
Please note: Such tanks, with pre-thought-out details, are sold in special agricultural stores and are not expensive, so you can buy them and not rack your brains.
If you do not equip a hole in the top of the tank, you should not choose a container whose volume exceeds 10 liters, otherwise it will be very difficult to install it back after washing.
Instruction No. 3 - making a siphon drinker
Those who choose a siphon drinker as a suitable option for them need to remember that it will not be possible to automate the water supply in it, which means that they will have to constantly top it up themselves from the outside of the chicken coop.
Step No. 1 - collecting the necessary materials
To make a siphon-type drinker, you must also assemble building materials. Here they are:
- a flexible tube with a diameter of 3 to 8 millimeters, equipped with a tap to shut off the flow of liquid;
- plastic water tank or tank made of other material;
- a bowl for drinking liquids;
- mounting hardware for tank and tube;
- drill corresponding to the diameter of the tube.
As a tube, you can use devices for droppers or small rubber hoses.
Step No. 2 - installation of the drinking bowl
The process of installing the structure we are interested in in the chicken coop is carried out in several easy-to-follow steps.
- First of all, you need to drill a hole in the wall of the chicken room, at a height of about half a meter from the flooring.
- Pass the prepared pipe through the drilled hole, so that its end, located inside the room, reaches almost to the floor, but the faucet must remain outside.
- On the outer part of the chicken coop wall, it is necessary to secure the water tank using pre-prepared fastening accessories, while installing it so that the bottom of the container is 10-15 centimeters above the hole drilled through the wall and the tube inserted into it.
- Next, you need to hermetically connect the end of the tube protruding from the outside to the bottom of the tank, while its inner part needs to be attached to the wall of the room, using the same prepared fasteners.
- You need to place a bowl near the wall of the chicken coop from the inside to receive drinking water and lower the end of the tube into it.
- Then water is poured into the tank, and the stopcock is opened for a period of approximately 20 seconds, that is, until the bowl is filled, and then it must be closed again.
Please note: the drinking bowl should not have large sizes to prevent chickens from climbing into it, in addition, it is best to attach it to the wall to avoid overturning. Then you won’t have to constantly think about where the water you pour inside the chicken coop ends up with.
Let's sum it up
As you can see, there are many ways to inexpensively equip a chicken coop with watering devices for your feathered charges. Which one to use is up to you. At the same time, keep in mind that not all possible methods are presented in the article, and you can use your imagination and adjust the drawings and design of devices as you see fit.
Video - Do-it-yourself drinking bowl for chickens
When there are a lot of chickens in the yard, it is important to create conditions so that their care is minimal, but the return from the birds is maximum. Availability various options drinking bowls and feeders for chickens will help significantly save time for any owner. In our article we will answer the question: “How to make a drinking bowl for chickens from a sewer pipe?” Even representatives of the fairer sex can implement several simple schemes.
Sippy cup with spout made from fitting
This version of the drinking bowl is very easy to make. To make such a sippy cup, you only need a few pipes, which every owner may have lying around. The main thing is to decide where it will be installed so that the chickens can calmly come up and drink the water. It’s also worth thinking about the water supply in advance, but more on that a little later.
Tools and equipment
For this design you need to prepare:
- Medium-diameter sewer pipe 1 m long;
- L-shaped corner fitting (elbow) – 2 pcs.;
- Clamps 2-3 pcs.;
- Drill and screwdriver;
- Self-tapping screws up to 10 pcs.
Step by step instructions
- Attach the corner fittings one after the other to the main pipe, you should get something like a spout from which the chickens can drink water.
- You need to make marks in the wall where our plastic part will be attached, and use a drill to make holes.
- Place clamps on the structure and screw everything to the wall. The spout should be level with the bird's back.
- Carefully pour water on top until it appears in the spout. As you drink the liquid, the water will drop, and then you just need to top it up.
To make your life easier, you can run a hose to the chicken drinking bowl, which will be attached to the tap and, if necessary, simply turn on the water. There is another option. For it you just need to replace one of the fittings with a small piece of pipe of the same diameter. Only the free end must be closed with a plug and several holes with a diameter of 20 cm must be made at a distance of 15 cm from each other.
When water is supplied from above, it will remain at the level of the holes, and the chickens can easily come up to drink water. Moreover, not just one or two, but up to 5-6 chickens at once will be able to quench their thirst. This structure must also be mounted on the wall, at a short distance from the ground, so the water will always be clean. Sometimes it will be possible to remove the homemade sippy cup and rinse it under high pressure to remove the deposits there.
Vacuum drinker
There is also nothing complicated about this drinking bowl for chickens; even a woman can make it if she wants. It will work on the principle of vacuum. The container can be located either directly on the ground or on a stand. Its advantage is that when installed on a stand, the liquid in it will always remain clean.
Chickens drink from a vacuum structure
Tools and material
- Medium diameter sewer pipe;
- Plug or cover;
- Shallow tray-plate;
- Hacksaw;
- Wooden sticks;
- Small self-tapping screws 4 pcs.
Step by step instructions
- Cut a piece of 40-50 cm in size from the main pipe. Close one end with a plug.
- Stepping back from the plug 10 cm downwards in a circle, we screw in 4 self-tapping screws half their length, this is for subsequent fastening of the structure.
- Now you need to prepare the pallet. To do this, you need to tie a rope crosswise onto it. It is advisable to do this so that the knots are under the pallet, so that the chickens do not see them and start pecking; there is a possibility that it may come undone. Later, the upper edges of the rope will be attached to the screws.
- Pour water into the pipe section and place wooden sticks on top, which will protrude slightly beyond the base of the ring. Then the structure is applied to the pallet and everything is turned over. Having carefully placed the entire drinker on the ground or on a stand, you should secure all the parts with ropes that were tied in advance.
This simple drinking bowl is easy to make. Chickens willingly drink water from it; it will constantly flow into the pan as they drink. After the owner notices that the water has run out, the filling and fastening procedure must be repeated. In order for the water in the chicken watering structure to be clean, it needs to be placed on a hill or a stand. This way, the chickens will not be able to put their dirty feet in the pan, and the water will be clean.
Photo gallery
Video “Homemade drinking bowl using sewer pipes”
In this video you can see the creation of a simple and convenient water bowl for birds.
Hello, hardworking poultry farmers. In this material we will find out how to make a drinking bowl for chickens with your own hands, and we will offer several options for drinking bowls made at home. Let's support the topic with a photo.
When making a drinking bowl, you need to take into account that chicks drink twice as much as they eat, so a large water container is needed. Adequate drinking will ensure normal growth of chickens.
Chickens love to jump into bowls of water, keep this in mind when making a waterer. Constantly wet paws lead to...
The amount of water you drink will differ depending on: age, air temperature, amount of food. One klusha needs about a liter per day.
What kind of drinking bowls are there for chickens?
To understand how to make a waterer for chickens with your own hands, you must first decide on its type. We will equip a bucket, basins or make a specialized watering system. We tell you what common types of drinkers are:
- Vacuum;
- Cup;
- Siphon;
- Nipple;
- From a bucket;
- From a plastic pipe;
Open bowls with water are not very practical, chickens often knock them over, climb with their paws, the water evaporates in the sun - you have to control this so that the birds do not become thirsty.
Simple shallow “watering holes” are suitable for a newborn herd, but under supervision so that the container is not turned over and they do not bathe in it.
Let's get started!
How to make a drinking bowl for chickens
Before moving into a chicken coop, which you can, you also need a water supply system for the walking area. It is possible to make a drinking bowl at home. The types of drinking bowls are listed above. Now let's look at each one.
How to make a vacuum drinker for chickens
Manufacturing stages:
No. 1. Take a 1.0 liter bottle, a special cap (suitable for deodorant, juice), the bottle cap should fit inside it.
No. 2. Screw on the cap and mark the top edge of the bottle with a marker.
No. 3. Along the mark line, we make a hole measuring 8.0 - 10.0 mm with a drill using a hot knitting needle (its outline should not extend beyond the top of the marker).
No. 4. We fill the structure with water (not until full), screw on the cap, turn it upside down, and make sure that the drinking bowl is working. Clips, wire, etc. will help ensure stability. The vacuum drinker is ready!
How to make a siphon drinker for chickens
A do-it-yourself siphon-type drinking bowl for chickens is suitable for small farmsteads. To implement the idea, a siphon system is required. You will need:
- Plastic bottle (choose the volume that suits you).
- A low basin, a plastic bowl, for example.
No. 1. Make a hole at the bottom of the bottle, but not higher than the level of your container (measure the distance first), otherwise the water will overfill the container and spill out.
No. 2. Place the bottle in the prepared bowl, fill it with water to the brim, plugging the drilled hole with your fingers.
No. 3. Turn the flask upside down. The water will flow into the basin, fill to the top and stop. The water will close the “picked holes”.
Important: when the chickens drink, reduce the amount of water. The free space in the bottle will fill with air. With the change in pressure, the liquid will refill the bowl.
How to make a nipple drinker with your own hands
The nipple design is popular on many farms, thanks to automation, but there is a drawback: a certain number of birds can drink at the same time, which is problematic in the heat, after eating.
Attention! To prevent embarrassment, calculate in advance the number of heads of chicken yard planned for a specific period. One plug - one nipple.
Take a plastic pipe 20 - 30 mm in diameter, count 60 cm. Use a marker to put dashes every 10 cm. (Future nipples).
We cut off the excess part with a file, pipe cutter, whatever you have. We trim the crooked paradise with a knife.
We drill the places marked with a marker (9 mm drill). We are careful not to make holes all the time. We blow the chips out of the pipe.
We screw the purchased nipples into the niches with handles and help wrench. A seal is not required since there is no water pressure.
Important! Select the thickness of the drill based on the diameter of the purchased nipples so that the structure does not leak.
We close one end of the tube with a plug, the other with a wick (adapter for a hose/water supply tube).
We blow into the wick and check the working condition of the chicken drinker. We fasten the latches for connecting the drinking cups in the required areas.
How to make a drinking bowl from a bucket
When you don’t want to waste time and money, you can make a drinking bowl with your own hands from a WHOLE bucket.
Stage 1. Make holes at the bottom of the bucket.
Stage 2. Screw on something like a lid (approximately as in the photo).
The top of the device should be level with the back of the hen. The contents of the bucket must be covered to prevent debris from getting into it.
Pay attention! The size of the drinker can be selected based on the temperature in the poultry house and the feed. Let's say the air temperature is not less than 18 C, then the water in the design is no more than 300 ml. Take this into account when building a drinking bowl.
How to make a drinking bowl from plastic pipes
1. Take a pipe with a diameter of 150 mm and a length of 1.5 meters. We close one edge with a plug, and on the opposite edge there is a bend. Using a level, draw lines (on both sides) along the entire tube.
2. Take a rectangular block and apply it to the pipe, marking the locations of the recesses. Using plus signs we outline the areas that we will cut out or not, as is more convenient.
3. Drill holes in the corners of the marks. To avoid missing marks, press in the required points with a nail.
4. Cut out the desired shape into rectangles. We polish the serifs with sandpaper.
Step 5 We attach the latches that secure the product to the wooden base. We do it conscientiously. Move the drinker to the desired location and pour liquid along the bend.
Photo gallery
As you can see, making a waterer for chickens with your own hands is not difficult if you follow the sequence. Was the material useful? – Share it with like-minded people and friends. Be sure to subscribe to chicken news - be the first to know what's happening.
Patience and success in your accomplishments!