plantoneonme
03-25-2011, 01:32 PM
Did I get your attention :)
On another forum I am on I saw much discussion about chicken nipples. Basically they are small devices that allowed me to make a simple, space saving, no need to clean 4-5 times a day, chicken waterer. I purchased the nipples at Meyer (you can see pictures there) for under $18 with shipping for 6 (plenty for my flock of 6).
I took one nipple and drilled a hole through the cap of a soda bottle and pushed the nipple through. I then filled the bottle with water and hung it up just above the chicks heads. Within minutes the curious chicks began to peck at the nipple and begin to drink water. When the chicks are old enough to go outside to a tractor, I will take a length of pvc pipe, drill a few holes and connect it to a 5 gallon bucket. This will allow me to fill the waterer much less often...and it saves a lot of floor space.
The second item I made was a super simple chick feeder. Again I wanted to use less floor space in my 50 gal brooder and not allow the chicks to kick feed all over the place. This one is small as a 6 flock, fully grown chicken feeder goes, but will be used to hold grit or oyster shell later. I didn't need any tools for this one!
I purchased a 2 ft length of 2" pvc pipe, a cap, a 45 degree angle, and a 90 degree spicket angle (narrower at one end to allow me to push the pieces together instead of cutting a spacer and glueing together). I simply attached the 45 to the 90 to the pipe and filled with feed, top with the cap. I then duct taped it to the side of the brooder box. Cost about $6.
When the chickens are grown, I will do something similar but use a Y junction fitting and 4" pipe which will hold a lot more feed. I'm going to make it long enough to fit through the top of the tractor for easier feeding (besides it will hold more).
Hope you liked learning about chicken nipples ;) Kim
On another forum I am on I saw much discussion about chicken nipples. Basically they are small devices that allowed me to make a simple, space saving, no need to clean 4-5 times a day, chicken waterer. I purchased the nipples at Meyer (you can see pictures there) for under $18 with shipping for 6 (plenty for my flock of 6).
I took one nipple and drilled a hole through the cap of a soda bottle and pushed the nipple through. I then filled the bottle with water and hung it up just above the chicks heads. Within minutes the curious chicks began to peck at the nipple and begin to drink water. When the chicks are old enough to go outside to a tractor, I will take a length of pvc pipe, drill a few holes and connect it to a 5 gallon bucket. This will allow me to fill the waterer much less often...and it saves a lot of floor space.
The second item I made was a super simple chick feeder. Again I wanted to use less floor space in my 50 gal brooder and not allow the chicks to kick feed all over the place. This one is small as a 6 flock, fully grown chicken feeder goes, but will be used to hold grit or oyster shell later. I didn't need any tools for this one!
I purchased a 2 ft length of 2" pvc pipe, a cap, a 45 degree angle, and a 90 degree spicket angle (narrower at one end to allow me to push the pieces together instead of cutting a spacer and glueing together). I simply attached the 45 to the 90 to the pipe and filled with feed, top with the cap. I then duct taped it to the side of the brooder box. Cost about $6.
When the chickens are grown, I will do something similar but use a Y junction fitting and 4" pipe which will hold a lot more feed. I'm going to make it long enough to fit through the top of the tractor for easier feeding (besides it will hold more).
Hope you liked learning about chicken nipples ;) Kim