Water chickens from Pressurized hose line?

[dulax]

The previous people who owned our home built a chicken coop and a run that extends behind some raised beds and our back fence. There is a pressurized PVC pipe that runs through the coop and up to a spigot with a timer and drip system for the raised beds.

I have this idea that I would tap into this readily available water source and T off to add some nipples or cups and never need to worry about them running out of water in a heat wave again (I already have to fill their water container twice a week while weather is in the 90s here in CA).

I suppose I'd need a pressure regulator or something? Definitely new at this and would love some ideas.

 

[aart]

I suppose I'd need a pressure regulator or something?

Yes, you will.
I would not switch over to nipples, even cups, during extreme heat as it can take some time for them to figure it out.
I top off my waterer daily.


Deep all day shade is best but....I don't have much of that.
This has worked very well to keep heat stress/stroke at bay:

I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves.
It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.
Can mix up a smaller amount, just wrap the packet tight and store in a dry cool place.
Always have plain water available too.

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.
Much more useful to the chickens than frozen foods and treats.

Make space in your freezer!

 

[pibb]

What kind of drip system is it? Some of them run on low pressure ~12psi such as the type I have.

I suppose you need to find out how much water pressure there is there first. A float valve from a toilet seems to be a pretty reliable thing if you know how they work but I don't know if it would like 100 psi or not.

 

[aart]

What kind of drip system is it? Some of them run on low pressure ~12psi such as the type I have.
I suppose you need to find out how much water pressure there is there first.

Excellent point.

 

[Pepper3]

Hello all,
So, I'm in the process of making a chicken water feeder. I have a 55 gallon water drum. I will be attaching PVC to a pressure regulator and gauge. This will feed 4 of those "auto-fill watering cups". Instructions state no more than 3 PSI. Should I have a water pump in the drum for consistency? Because I would assume without a pump, if the level of water in the drum decreases, the pressure will decrease? I'm new (not new to chickens)...please help!
TIA,
Tina

 

[jher77]

I doubt you need a pressue regulator for that or a pump. From the top of the water (max fill level) to the point of exit (water cup) of water level, you get 1 psi for every 27.7" high.

So if the water level in the drum is 7' higher than the cup, you'll have around 3 psi at the water cup. If the water dropped to 2' higher than the water cup, you'd have 0.86 psi at the water cup.

 

[Pepper3]

I doubt you need a pressue regulator for that or a pump. From the top of the water (max fill level) to the point of exit (water cup) of water level, you get 1 psi for every 27.7" high.

So if the water level in the drum is 7' higher than the cup, you'll have around 3 psi at the water cup. If the water dropped to 2' higher than the water cup, you'd have 0.86 psi at the water cup.

Thank you for this info! Very much appreciated!