How to Make a Chicken Waterer Out of a Drip System

Do your flock and yourself a favor; keep them watered.

For backyard flocks, filling the chicken waterer can be a chore. Forgetting to water may endanger your chickens by dehydrating them. Accessing how full your waterer is isn't always simple to do and once it's full, the weight of the water makes maneuvering the container difficult. There are solutions, such as cisterns or direct plumbing connections, but these may be impractical or prohibitively expensive. In addition, these solutions may complicate cleaning and maintenance. One cost-effective solution is a drip system to keep the waterer at a desired level. A drip system chicken waterer makes a great time-saver.

Things You'll Need

• Electric chicken waterer
• Drill bit set
• Power drill
• Plastic tubing
• Rubber grommet
• Zip ties
• Valve
• Tubing insulation (optional)

Instructions

1. Empty and clean your electric chicken waterer as per manufacturer instructions. Remove the base.

2. Secure the top section of the waterer and drill a hole at the top to fit the grommet and plastic tubing. Use a drill bit that is just slightly larger in diameter than the tubing and grommet you are using so that it will fit easily but snugly through the hole.

3. Thread the tubing through the grommet. Insert the tubing through the hole and secure the grommet for a snug fit.

4. Run your tubing to a water source. Secure with zip ties. If you have a clean way to collect rain water, such as a rain barrel, consider using it as your water source.

5. Install a valve at the source and fit the tubing on the spigot. Open the valve for a few moments to test for leaks from the valve to the waterer.

6. Fill the waterer to level with a reference point on the waterer. Close the valve and adjust for flow of one drop per minute or less.

7. Experiment by adjusting for greater or lesser water flow to maintain a water level that meets the demands of your chickens.

Tips & Warnings

• Seasonal adjustments may be necessary during dry spells or winter.

• Select a clean water source to feed your drip system. Water that runs off the roof and through gutters may be contaminated, depending on your roofing material.

• Be sure to thoroughly clean any plastic shavings from the waterer to prevent the chickens from eating them.

• Be sure to maintain a snug fit on all fittings to prevent leaks.

• Keep the grommet out of reach of the chickens as they may claw or peck it apart and eat it.

References

• Irrigation Tutorials: The Basic Parts of a Drip System
• Blains Farm and Fleet: Farm Innovators Heated Poultry Fountain (3 Gallon)