Part 1 - Ultimate Winter Automatic Watering System - Chickens - Quail - Rabbits

[@elizabethstephens6471]

This is something I will build for my winter 2023

[@theemergencyprepguy]

Cool, glad it was helpful. A couple of suggestions if you live in the cold like I do. The system as a whole never froze up even at -9 degrees F. However, if it got down into single digits F or below, the plastic red bird watering nipples themselves froze up. (they didn't break or anything, I just had to scrape the ice out with a small screw driver to get the water running again a couple of times a day) The rabbit's metal nipples (in their hutch I closed off from the wind when it got really cold) never froze up at all. So I think metal nipples are better and so is having the waterers out of the wind. So to improve this system I am going to see if I can find metal bird nipples because they will conduct the heat of the heated water better. And I will most likely take out the pvc tees and just drill holes directly in the pipe, and tap threads into the holes, and screw the nipples directly into those. Then the warmer water will touch the back of the nipples and I bet they will never freeze up. I may move the quail waterers into the part of the cage where they will be out of the wind, but I might not. I don't think I will have to. Hope this is helpful.

[@schammond8993]

Good video. I love that you try to use what you have available.

[@theemergencyprepguy]

Thanks

[@JD-rc6dn]

Dude! I’ve been looking for a winter watering system for chickens on KZbin! This is exactly the inspiration I’ve been looking for. We will see if my iteration will survive the MN winter.

[@theemergencyprepguy]

I would drill holes directly in pvc pipe rather than using tees. And use metal chicken nipples. Metal conducts heat from running water. Then it won't freeze. My pipes never froze, but the nipples did whenever it got into single digits. Nothing ever broke and if you watch some of my later followup videos I show how I freed them up with small screw driver when they froze up. But this winter I will make the changes I suggested and then the nipples won't freeze either. My metal rabbit nipples never froze at all. Hope that helps.

[@addieanderson2043]

Spectacular

[@theemergencyprepguy]

Thank you!

[@tianacollado872]

I'm not even sure how I got here but I gotta say that I'm enjoying your videos! Thanks for sharing and I look forward to watching more!

[@theemergencyprepguy]

That's awesome! Thank you for the kind words!

[@whitetrim1]

Thanks for sharing.

[@missyrabbit5250]

real nice setup

[@theemergencyprepguy]

Thanks

[@mdw4health]

Cool! You have me thinking creatively...

[@theemergencyprepguy]

Glad you found it worth watching.

[@annetracy77]

thank you so much for sharing this information. i'm exploring all options and very curious if you considered pipe heating cable and if so, why you decided against it?

[@graftedbranchhomestead]

Perfect. This helps allot.

[@theemergencyprepguy]

Any time. Glad it was helpful!

[@TL50-r9f]

I like your system. Could it use a 250 or higher watt water heater with an inline thermostatic control for deep very cold winters, seems the 150 watt one does not keep the water drink nipples from freezing.

[@tullyriverquail]

A way to insulate the drinker bars better than wrapping with foam would be to use an umbrella cover (plastic bag sleeve or tube) and inject canned foam insulation into the bag with the bag forming a sleeve over the drinker tube. I put the plastic bag tube over the pvc Tee's then screw the fittings (drinkers, 1/2 male ends on either side) in over top of the bag form (use a fender washer between the drinkers and the threaded Tee end to stop the foam from expanding and locking the drinkers into place. This is a way to permanently encase the drinker bars while stile being able replace a nipple when necessary or an entire bar. I make these for resell at Tully River Quail

[@theemergencyprepguy]

You should do a video demonstrating that. And then comment and give me the link. I would love to see it.

[@kellythornton1438]

I really wanted to know what pump you used. But you didn't say in your video or in you supply list... that is the main thing that I need to know

[@filicefilice]

We miss your EMF videos. Building materials and wood in general went almost double in price during the previous year! So - try to build fast before same happens in the most of the world! Best Wishes from Scotland!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@theemergencyprepguy]

Thank you so much! Glad to hear from Scotland!I have a RadiationHealthRisks.com channel video coming up. I measured the before and after of dirty electricity after putting solar on my home. I am getting a whole house filter and as soon as I get that installed then I will have the after measurements there and I will be able to publish the video.

[@kevinfries1550]

How long is the total run of pipe? It seems like a lot for that small circulation pump.

[@bigjrich79]

Would you make any changes to the system now that you have made it through 1 winter? Also, do you constantly have the water pump running in the summer months? Thank you for the great video!

[@theemergencyprepguy]

Cool, glad it was helpful. Yes there are a few changes I plan on making in the fall. The system as a whole never froze up even at -9 degrees F. However, if it got down into single digits F or below, the plastic red bird watering nipples themselves froze up. (They didn't break or anything, I just had to scrape the ice out with a small screw driver to get the water running again a couple of times a day). The rabbit's metal nipples never froze up at all. So I think metal nipples are better. So to improve this system I am going to order some metal bird nipples because they will conduct the heat of the heated water better. And I will take out the pvc tees and just drill holes directly in the pvc pipe, and tap threads into the holes, and screw the nipples directly into those. I have noticed that Carolina Coops switched from using tees to drilling holes directly in the pvc pipe. I bet that was because some of their clients in colder areas were having the nipples freeze up. Doing that alone I bet would be enough to keep the nipples from freezing. But I am going to use metal nipples too just to be sure. Hope this is helpful. And about your question regarding running the pump in warm whether. I have it on a temperature switch that only turns the pump on when it is below 40 degrees. So now most of the time the pump doesn't run. That is why I elevated the water tank so that gravity would fill the nipples with water when the circulation pump wasn't running. Great questions!

[@lennylink8772]

How is it holding up? Any issues?

[@RubDev]

I’ll make this. Have to! I’m done filling bottles and waterers😅

[@theemergencyprepguy]

Cool! Glad it was helpful. I put links to most of what I used below that video for people too, in case it was helpful.

[@theemergencyprepguy]

Oh and here is a link to an article I wrote about the building process on my website. It has a bit more detail about the building process than the video does. emergencyprepguy.com/the-ultimate-heated-automatic-watering-system-quail-chickens-rabbits/

[@graftedbranchhomestead]

Do you have a video on your feeding system? Think that's what I caught a glimpse of. I've been dreading Winter coming and having to bring water out couple times A-day to the chickens and now knew quail as well i have a watering system set up with pumps and water tank and all just haven't done any type of Winterising

[@theemergencyprepguy]

Kind of a random question lol! I just happen to have one! Here you go! Thanks for watching! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJbTdZqCaMaDnNU&lc=Ugx0AJOV-stwN0LvIeJ4AaABAg

[@theemergencyprepguy]

Here is a winter update video I just did on this automatic heated watering system. It is working perfectly so far this winter! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpvHe5d6atGIobc

[@graftedbranchhomestead]

@@theemergencyprepguy nice I was hoping. Thank you

[@theemergencyprepguy]

@@graftedbranchhomestead Thanks! I saw you over on the Slightly Rednecked podcast!

[@graftedbranchhomestead]

@@theemergencyprepguy yes, I thought that cool aswell. This is such a great set up... I was waiting for your update when is colder (now) to go ahead with attempting this project. I really enjoy your books and videos man, they help a ton. Thank you :) Be safe, be blessed :)

[@tullyriverquail]

If your water nipples freeze, use a hairdryer to warm them. This is the weak spot, especially with one that may develop a slow drip due to weather changes creating drinker ice-cicles. May not be a bad idea to have back up Tupperware with some holes just in case a problem occurs. Easy to alternate a pair of these having a fresh one ready to replace a frozen one. I make my drinker bars with shut offs so they can be removed or replaced quickly if necessary

[@theemergencyprepguy]

Awesome. If you have done a video showing that on your channel please send me the link. I would love to see it.

[@justincurtis9094]

So how did this work out for you through the winter months? I also like the water running as it will keep from stagnation… for the most part. Great builds!

[@theemergencyprepguy]

It worked well. Thank you for the kind words. When it got into single digits I had to free up the nozzels where the birds drank a couple times a day, but none of the lines froze. Here is the play list of videos where I do updates throughout the winter. And in my last video in this playlist I show the adjustments I make for this coming winter. kzbin.info/aero/PL3_6redMiUwFClb_uxvzX404-1aM2ELA9

[@justincurtis9094]

@@theemergencyprepguy awesome, thank you!

[@theemergencyprepguy]

@@justincurtis9094 you are welcome! Thanks for watching the video!

[@Johnny_Benson]

How much was your 2nd mortgage to finance this project? Thats pretty expensive but great set up

[@theemergencyprepguy]

With the greenhouse and all the hutches and the coop not counting my labor I think I have about ten grand into it all. Granted I did buy most of the lumber when it was at its all time pandemic high.

[@Johnny_Benson]

@@theemergencyprepguy Looks amazing though! Great idea.

[@theemergencyprepguy]

@@Johnny_Benson Thanks!

[@rickwilliams2251]

How do you fill the tank?

[@theemergencyprepguy]

A garden hose. In the winter I just keep a hose drained and in the garage. I just hook it up, fill tank quickly, drain the hose and then put it back in garage. I've done it in very cold subzero weather and it works fine.

[@idahofishgamer3560]

Its not tall enough

[@teachersikhumbuzomoyo5419]

My first time here. Can I please get your email address sir?enjoying your content

[@theemergencyprepguy]

You can find it on the privacy policy of emergencyprepguy.com.