2 Quick questions, #1 how much clearance do you need under a 5 gallon bucket for the chickens to drink from it? #2 I have 2 buckets set up but the girls do not appear to get how to use them, any tips? Thanks! 2 Quick questions, #1 how much clearance do you need under a 5 gallon bucket for the chickens to drink from it? #2 I have 2 buckets set up but the girls do not appear to get how to use... » Read More 2 Quick questions, #1 how much clearance do you need under a 5 gallon bucket for the chickens to drink from it? #2 I have 2 buckets set up but the girls do not appear to get how to use them, any tips? Thanks! « Show Less
287383
I would say you would need as much clearance as your chickens are tall, like 16inches or so. In order to get them to drink from the nipples I had to remove their normal water bowl and for the first day jammed one of the nipples up so it dripped a little so the chickens knew that there was water in there. They took to them pretty quickly. Also, if you ever have a different water source like a bird bath, they always seem to prefer it over the nipples because it's easier.
287384
The younger birds seemed to get it first for us I just put the bucket bottom to the hight of the chickens back, for the older chickens my 2 yo son tough them what it was and how it worked, they were all around the bucket when he started playing with it and it was like they watched and learned
287385
#1: It took me a while to find the right height - and while I am not sure on the exact measurement - you want the chickens to "reach" up just a little to get to the water. #2: I didn't think my girls were picking up on it at first either, so I would go into the coop a couple times a day and push all the tips up so that there was water on them and sometimes even getting the ground under it a little wet. When the girls would come near, I would make the water drip from the bottom of the bucket so they could see the source. They picked it up within a day or two.
287386
My chickens are about full grown now and there is a little over 12" of clearance. I thought that might be low but they all use it just fine. The red nipples help the chickens find them. It took a couple days for the to understand but they all us it now.
287387
I initially had only 6 inches of clearance. The older hens got it immediately. I did raise it up to 12" clearance and the 4 younger chicks took to it immediately. Typically, the chickens will peck at anything new, and especially if it's red, they will take notice of it.
287388
I have about a foot of clearance. Our chickens peck anything new so they figured it out fast. I have heard of people shining a laser pointer on them to get the chickens to peck. I'd suggest a red laser. If you can get one to drink the rest should follow. {Bonus tip: After a couple of months of filling to the top my tractor supply bucket broke where the handle attaches. I got a new bucket and only fill it 2/3 full now..}
287389
The clearance should allow the chicken to walk under the bucket and reach up a little bit to peck at the fountain.I flipped the fountains with my finger to make noise and get the water droplet to appear. They took to it quickly. Take any other water away until you see one of them begin to peck at the fountain. Soon they will all be using it.
2099696
Best to keep in plastic 10 gallon /food grade buckets. Get them free from local supermarket in the deli. It takes 1 large bucket at least and probably some extra. But not 2. Supermarkets also have smaller plastic buckets. They store really well on the top of each other.
309443
I don't know I don't have rabbits. it hangs directly overhead from the bottom of a bucket for instance soI don't know if rabbits will drink like this. Also chickens are attracted to red items and things like this so they adapt easily.
617003
Nipples must be installed vertically (not sideways!) or they will leak. Nipples are designed for low pressure, 5 psi or less. Do not connect directly to your house (around 70 psi). Designed to snap-fit over 3/4" PVC pipe. Drill 5/16" hole through wall of pipe and press the nipple into place over the hole. You must be careful to drill the hole precisely perpendicular and centered on the pipe.You will need to press firmly to snap the nipple into place. Recommendation is 1 nipple for every 4 birds. Previous answer on 5 gallon bucket is similar installation to what I have. Nipples must be installed vertically (not sideways!) or they will leak. Nipples are designed for low pressure, 5 psi or less. Do not connect directly to your house (around 70 psi). Designed to snap-fit over 3/4" PVC pipe. Drill 5/16" hole through wall of pipe and press the nipple into place over the hole. You must be careful to drill the hole precisely perpendicular and centered on the pipe.You will need to press firmly to snap the nipple into place. Recommendation is 1 nipple for every 4 birds. Previous answer on 5 gallon bucket is similar installation to what I have.
937147
I cannot remember, but it said on the box to use like 3 cups of water or so. What I do is I place the egg poachers in the pan and fill the water level until they start to float, then pour a tiny bit out until the poachers no longer float (as they are seated on the metal instead) Make sense? It's better to use too much water than not enough, because it protects your pan. Obviously, the more water you have in there though, the longer it will take it to boil. Probably what we SHOULD do is measure out the correct amount of water and then etch the pan with a line of our own..... I hope this answers your question. If not let me know. I cannot remember, but it said on the box to use like 3 cups of water or so. What I do is I place the egg poachers in the pan and fill the water level until they start to float, then pour a tiny bit out until the poachers no longer float (as they are seated on the metal instead) Make sense? It's better to use too much water than not enough, because it protects your pan. Obviously, the more water you have in there though, the longer it will take it to boil. Probably what we SHOULD do is measure out the correct amount of water and then etch the pan with a line of our own..... I hope this... » Read More I cannot remember, but it said on the box to use like 3 cups of water or so. What I do is I place the egg poachers in the pan and fill the water level until they start to float, then pour a tiny bit out until the poachers no longer float (as they are seated on the metal instead) Make sense? It's better to use too much water than not enough, because it protects your pan. Obviously, the more water you have in there though, the longer it will take it to boil. Probably what we SHOULD do is measure out the correct amount of water and then etch the pan with a line of our own..... I hope this answers your question. If not let me know. « Show Less
578191
I use it to feed my 6 chickens. I only fill it about halfway every couple of days. I like that it is up off the ground and seems much better than regular feeders made for chickens. I hung it on the side of the platform their coop is on (an old skid up on cinder blocks) Then I cut a plastic liner for under potted plants and tied it over the top of the feeder to keep the rain out. It functions like a lid.
233140
For the past two years, I use this de-icer in a 5-gallon plastic bucket, with chicken nipples for chickens. In my experience you MUST use the Horizontal nipples (they install on the side of the bucket). It will not work below about 20F if you use the more common Vertical nipples (install on the bottom of the bucket). With the Horizontal nipples I have used it successfully to about -9F and I have read others using it down to at least -15 or -20F. Not sure if Amazon will allow this link...if you don't see one, go to Backyard Chickens dot com and search for "vertical vs horizontal nipple". There is a good long thread discussing the two types of nipples as well as methods for keeping them thawed. For the past two years, I use this de-icer in a 5-gallon plastic bucket, with chicken nipples for chickens. In my experience you MUST use the Horizontal nipples (they install on the side of the bucket). It will not work below about 20F if you use the more common Vertical nipples (install on the bottom of the bucket). With the Horizontal nipples I have used it successfully to about -9F and I have read others using it down to at least -15 or -20F. Not sure if Amazon will allow this link...if you don't see one, go to Backyard Chickens dot com and search for "vertical vs horizontal... » Read More For the past two years, I use this de-icer in a 5-gallon plastic bucket, with chicken nipples for chickens. In my experience you MUST use the Horizontal nipples (they install on the side of the bucket). It will not work below about 20F if you use the more common Vertical nipples (install on the bottom of the bucket). With the Horizontal nipples I have used it successfully to about -9F and I have read others using it down to at least -15 or -20F. Not sure if Amazon will allow this link...if you don't see one, go to Backyard Chickens dot com and search for "vertical vs horizontal nipple". There is a good long thread discussing the two types of nipples as well as methods for keeping them thawed. « Show Less
1519518
I don't know if it would be appropriate for chickens but I have a lot of critters (possums, skunks, raccoons, and neighborhood cats) come to drink from mine on a daily basis. I just bought another bowl to use at work for our community cats. Check out Facebook groups like Fresh Eggs Daily or The Chicken Chick; they could answer your questions about feeding and watering chickens.
2165429
I would recommend a basket for the chicken, and a skimmer for the fish. Thats just my opinion. I like to keep the chicken off the bottom of the pot. Where the fish will not hit the bottom. Hope I'm making some sense of this.
1925294
We have had up to 60 chickens at one time and 60 meat birds at another time. They fit comfortably until about 3 weeks and began getting cramped. But you can put any bird in it and the best thing about this brooder is you can adjust the windows to the feeders depending on the size of bird and it keeps their water clean and food clean!!! Hope this helped!
524523
If Chickens are only in it at night to sleep do they still need food and water inside? Can you just keep it outside for them when you let them out in the morning? I am new to chickens and always wondered about this when I read about food and water in these...it confuses me. I assume some people leave their chickens in there all the time? Sorry I mean no offense just trying to learn. I've read somewhere some people just take the divider out or use one nest box with divider in place to put foot there...depending on the size of your feeder/water device. Hoe that helps some as my comment was more a question itself than a answer.
155658
hey scott amazon asked if i could help because i bought these nipples i don't think you can hook it up to the main maybe but they do work great screwed into the bottom of a bucket no more nasty water for my chickens 5 gallons last around a month between 3 chickens they are the best time saver i have bought for my chickens their great
2219006
I have a large feed scooper, and it holds 3 scoops. I guess it's about 2-3 pounds of feed. For my 8 chickens, I fill it every other day. i hang mine with 2 S hooks so it doesn't get tipped over. The wire cover does keep them off it.
1962856
I use the heater in a cut off 5 gal bucket to water chickens I always keep 2 in or more water in the bucket never a problem.
206613
That's the exact purpose I bought a medium one for... works great!! I have 7 hens and have kept their water unfrozen by putting a medium zoo med heating pad under their red/white 3 gallon waterer and also under their water tub (I switched to the tub after the red/white waterer kept leaking).Now it's perfect. I have a 4" thick paver as my foundation, then goes on the heating pad, then the waterer. No leaks. No ice. Just happy chickens.
992493
About 3 gallons. They look like they'd hold more, but you really don't want to fill up the top one. When I did, I got water all over the place. By putting no more than 1/2 gal. in the top portion (after the bottom is filled), you should do just fine. I normally add more water right away if I've used a fair amount for something.
206614
That's the exact purpose I bought a medium one for... works great!! I have 7 hens and have kept their water unfrozen by putting a medium zoo med heating pad under their red/white 3 gallon waterer and also under their water tub (I switched to the tub after the red/white waterer kept leaking). Now it's perfect. I have a 4" thick paver as my foundation, then goes on the heating pad, then the waterer. No leaks. No ice. Just happy chickens.