Rain water collection

[WingItRanch]

I plan on expanding my run a bit and collecting rain water so I don't have to carry gallons a few acres to my coop. I have a general idea of how I want to do it but I'm stuck on one question... what barrel do I use? My main concern is the heat/sunlight in the summer creating mold. I have had that issue with typical clear chicken waterers and I'm constantly cleaning them to prevent the green slime.

Does anyone have a suggestion for large capacity rain barrel that won't allow sunlight in and cause mildew?

Some facts to help suggestions: we get a ton of rain here in East Texas. We also can reach temperatures over 100° F in the summers. We do get slightly below freezing on occasion but not longer than a few days. The barrel will be protected from sun until early to late afternoon.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Also available in black, a different color of blue, and green. Food safe, potable water safe, 55 gal capacity. Can chain them if desired (a little pricey, plumbing bulkheads aren't particularly cheap, and are also leak prone).

I used 275 gal IBC totes (used), painted the outside white, several coats, w/ a good elastomeric paint. Greatly reduced algae formation, still had to clean once a year.

Reconditioned drums should run $55-70 ea, depending on where you are for most of the nation. I want to say IBC totes are in the $125-$150 range, used, right now.

Give it a good wash first, as an extra precaution.

Also, if you partially bury your drum (3/4 or so), you can use the earth as a heat sink. Though you then have a gravity problem and will need to use a pump of some sort to move water from the drum to the destination. A gravity fed hose (which I did w/ the IBC) was VERY low pressure. Worked fine, just not fast. 5' of vertical elevation only provides about 2 1/6th psi of pressure. Basically 30' elevation drop = 13psi for quick mental math.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

I've used this same rain barrel for 20years. It has cups at the bottom for chickens. I do clean it out once/ year but it's never full of algae, just a little. I use fireplace mesh screen over the top.

 

[WingItRanch]

This is great information! Thank you! No power out at the coop so was thinking gravity instead of a pump.

Something like this? https://a.co/d/ccaGKjv (that's an Amazon link but in case you're not comfortable clicking on it, here's a screen shot)

The only concern I have is it looks like I can't open the top to do a yearly clean out. I was planning on putting mesh over a small opening to keep mosquitos out but allow water in.

 

[WingItRanch]

View attachment 4069494
I've used this same rain barrel for 20years. It has cups at the bottom for chickens. I do clean it out once/ year but it's never full of algae, just a little. I use fireplace mesh screen over the top.

That's awesome. Does the fireplace mesh prevent bugs? Mainly concerned about breeding mosquitos!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

This is great information! Thank you! No power out at the coop so was thinking gravity instead of a pump.

Something like this? https://a.co/d/ccaGKjv (that's an Amazon link but in case you're not comfortable clicking on it, here's a screen shot) View attachment 4069500

The only concern I have is it looks like I can't open the top to do a yearly clean out. I was planning on putting mesh over a small opening to keep mosquitos out but allow water in.

Yes, that's the right barrel, should be able to get it cheaper locally (used). Screens help a lot w/ keeping bugs, leaves, etc out.

You can also get BTi dunks for your barrel. Perfectly safe for your birds - some countries are adding it to their chicken feed to control mosquito and biting fly populations. https://www.amazon.com/Summit-responsible-solutions-185502-Mosquito/dp/B0002568YA (and similar). I get mine as granules, but I'm doing a pond about 20' x 30'

 

[WingItRanch]

Yes, that's the right barrel, should be able to get it cheaper locally (used). Screens help a lot w/ keeping bugs, leaves, etc out.

You can also get BTi dunks for your barrel. Perfectly safe for your birds - some countries are adding it to their chicken feed to control mosquito and biting fly populations. https://www.amazon.com/Summit-responsible-solutions-185502-Mosquito/dp/B0002568YA (and similar). I get mine as granules, but I'm doing a pond about 20' x 30'

View attachment 4069503

Ohhhh I didn't realize this was safe in water for birds. I'm sold!

I'm positive I can find this type of drum locally so this is great.

I was going to place it on some concrete blocks to help with the gravity fed pressure. The idea was to keep the drum outside the run and feed some piping with horizontal nipples into the run. Maybe even an overflow into another drum if needed.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Ohhhh I didn't realize this was safe in water for birds. I'm sold!

I'm positive I can find this type of drum locally so this is great.

I was going to place it on some concrete blocks to help with the gravity fed pressure. The idea was to keep the drum outside the run and feed some piping with horizontal nipples into the run. Maybe even an overflow into another drum if needed.

Happy to help, that's what BYC is for. The blocks is a good idea - won't help water pressure any - 8" elevation is essentially immaterial - but will make it easier when you have to replace a spigot, or keeping splashed mud off of it.