Nowadays the weather is very hot so you should think about the proper watering system for your chickens. When you are raising the chickens then you have to arrange water for them in their chicken coop.
If you have a proper water system, you can provide water to the flock of chickens. In this way, you don’t have to work hard to fill the bowls of water for them again and again.
Your work will become very easy and it is a very safe and easy way for chickens to drink. But you have to train your chickens for drinking the water from the poultry nipple waterer.
Advantages Of Clean Water For Chickens
All living organisms need water and food to survive. When you raise chicken at your homestead then make sure the water they are drinking must be clean.
Clean water plays an important role in their health and egg production. If your chickens do not get water on time then it can slow the process of egg production. The watering system is the best way of providing clean water to your chickens.
For regulating the body temperature of the chickens and digesting food, water plays an important role. It also works in eliminating body waste. On hot days, your chickens need more water due to the sun’s heat.
70% of our body consists of water which means it is an essential nutrient for all organisms’ growth. The lake of water can cause a decline in egg production rate. When you raise chickens you must know water is more important than feed for them.
Another important benefit of water is that it makes the digestion of food easier. Without water, digestion will be affected because of decreasing blood flow to the brain. This can also cause paralysis in hens. As a result, chickens can die so you should not neglect the importance of water.
Food and water are interdependent, if you reduce the amount of water for your chicken then you will see it reduce the food intake also.
You should keep in mind the temperature will affect the water intake. As the temperature is above 32 degrees centigrade then chickens will drink 50% more water.
If the temperature is 21 degrees celsius then the water intake will be different. Generally, the water intake is 1.5 to 2 times more than the feed intake.
How To Make A Gravity-Fed Chicken Watering System?
As the temperature climbs, your chickens need more fresh water. Unlike human beings, hens don’t have sweat glands so they depend upon the drinking water in summer.
A water source is very important to keep your chicken happy and hydrated throughout the summers. The following are simple steps for making a gravity-fed chicken watering system.
This DIY project is very simple and easy. I hope that you will not face any difficulty when you do it. This project is very cheap because you will find most of the material on your homestead. It means, it is an affordable water supply system for your chickens.
STEP 1: GATHER THE MATERIAL YOU NEED
Following is a list of materials you need for this project.
- You need 2 gutters of 10′
- Gutter Screws
- Downspout connecter
- PVC elbows of 90°
- Tee connectors
- ½ inch PVC pipe 10’
- PVC glue
- 55- Gallon rain barrel
- 2 × 6 lumber for making a frame
STEP 2: 55- GALLON DRUM BASE
For the perfect watering system, first, you have to create a base to support the 55-gallon rain barrel. When your 55-gallon rain barrel is full then its weight is about 485 lbs.
So make sure the stand you will make can hold this weight. The size of the frame should be 30 × 30. For making legs you need 2 × 6 lumber. The size of the leg must be 16 inches. You need support braces for additional support. Fix them at an angle of 45°.
PVC WATERING SYSTEM
For making a perfect watering system you need connectors, PVC pipes, and elbows. It is better to set your system inside the coop where chickens easily drink water. The design and size of the system must be according to your need.
A pack of cups with the tee fitting and poultry nipples to perform the best function for providing water to your chickens. The size of the bolt according to the basic thread pitch of the nipples to make holes in PVC pipes. With the help of the glue, you can finish your end fitting.
ATTACHING NEW GUTTERS
You need two gutters, the size of each is about 10 inches. You can create a long run with the help of these gutters under the roof.
When your gutter system is hooked up to the barrel then join the watering system with a series of elbows, PVC glue, and tee fitting.
FINISHING UP
There is no need to create another watering system; you have only one more tee fitting. Finally, move the feed into the carport. This project will take 4 hours and you need the help of someone.
Best Gravity-Fed Chicken Water Systems
There are many benefits of a watering system for your birds. A watering system provides fresh and clean water.
Approximately a chicken needs 1 to 2 cups of water daily. If you have an automatic watering system then your work will become easier. In this way, you will make your flock hydrated and happy.
You have many options for water systems for chickens. You can choose one according to your needs and budget. Following are the best gravity-fed chicken water systems. You can choose one of the systems for your homestead and you can easily look after your chickens.
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1- LITTLE GIANT PLASTIC BUCKET WATERER FOR POULTRY HEAVY-DUTY GRAVITY-FED WATER TANK
- You can easily fill this plastic chicken water system because you can easily remove lead from the system.
- This system can endure heat, cold, and cracks that’s why it is very durable and lasts long.
- This system has a 1.5-gallon tank that is perfect for small poultry flocks.
2- LITTLE GIANT PLASTIC GRAVITY-FED CHICKEN CONTAINER TANK (3 GALLON)
The water Jar of the system is made from durable transparent plastic so you can quickly check the water level.
- The base of the water container can easily be assembled.
- The capacity of this water container is about 3 gallons.
3- 4 PACK AUTO-FILL WATERING CUPS WITH FOUR PACKS OF TEES FITTING
- The cups of this watering system are always half full.
- Your chickens will get clean water for drinking if you buy this watering system.
- There is a float valve for the pressure regulator that is perfect for the gravity fat system.
- There are PVC pipes that are used to make a thread of plastic tee piping.
4- AUTOMATIC CHICKEN WATER CUPS (PACK OF 6)
- The diameter of each cup of the system is about 2.3 inches and it can hold 40 ml of water.
- You can easily install this system just by using a drill. You can easily connect the bucket and pipe. After that thread the cups. Now fill the bucket with water and let the chickens drink it.
- You can easily fill the bowl because it is very smooth and made from high-quality PVC material.
- The water source should be protected from dirt so your chickens can drink clean water.
5- AUTOMATIC CHICKEN DRINKING CUPS AND 6-PACK CHICKEN WATERER PVC TEE FITTINGS FOR CHICKEN QUAIL DUCK
- This system is very durable because the cups and tee fittings are made from high-quality plastic.
- This is an automatic system and it has a yellow trigger on each cup. When the chicken pecks the yellow trigger then water is automatically released from the valve into the cup.
- You can easily install this system and clean it.
- Your birds and chicken easily drink clean and fresh water from this system.
6- 4-GALLON POULTRY DRINKER
- You can add additional cups if you have a large number of chickens on your homestead.
- There is a hinged lid so you can easily refill.
- This is made from high-quality BPA-free plastic.
7- 15 PIECES FULLY AUTOMATIC POULTRY DRINKING MACHINE WITH NIPPLE FEEDERS
- There are 15 PCs in this automatic poultry drinking machine. you can easily install it without facing any problems.
- The size of each cup is about 3 inches with red and yellow colors.
- The cups are made from high-quality materials that can endure the heat.
- When your chicken pecks the yellow trigger then water will start automatically releasing into the cup. The water will not release until the chicken pecks the yellow trigger.
- This system provides clean and fresh water to chickens that make them healthy.