The best chicken watering system - Detailed video

In this detailed video, I show you how I installed my chicken watering system. "Below are some of the parts lists."
Horizontal chicken water nipples: (Affiliate) amzn.to/2PuUV37
Drain: www.lowes.com/pd/AquaSource-C...
Plastic Slip joint nut: www.lowes.com/pd/Keeney-1-1-4...
1-1/4 in. x 3/4 in. PVC reducer bushing: www.homedepot.com/p/Charlotte...
1-1/4 in. PVC S Male adapter: www.homedepot.com/p/Charlotte...
2 inch PVC fitting adapter: www.lowes.com/pd/Charlotte-Pi...
2-in dia PVC Schedule 40 Cleanout Plug Fitting: www.lowes.com/pd/Charlotte-Pi...
Check out our Amazon store and help support our channel www.amazon.com/shop/peteb

[@messagefrom8749]

Good video -- easy to understand. We also want to add a toilet flow vàlve and hook to water line. Also adding a scrap copper pipe inside tank helps kill bacteria.

[@stevenallen2530]

Real nice setup with some afternoon shade to boot. After looking at many videos on home made watering systems this one is the best I have seen. Well thought out and executed.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Thank you 👍

[@tammyc2136]

This is perfect!!! Every system I’ve seen people making is very nice, but they wouldn’t handle my heat issue. As a matter of fact, some were to keep water from freezing and I don’t have that issue. With this system I can throw blocks of ice in it to keep cool. We don’t have water close to the coop location, so carrying water every day several times a day because it got too hot was gonna be inconvenient, to say the least. Thank you for sharing, specially the parts used. Takes the guesswork out of it for me. Much appreciated video! 🙏🏻

[@tomtrevett9914]

That is a fantastic system, and I really appreciate the shopping list. Most other builds just say you can get this or that anywhere. Great job.

[@bkipme3766]

Thanks for the video Pete. I have really enjoyed watching you set up your chickens. Anyone who says your not good to your chickens is just trolling you. Great idea using the cooler as a reservoir for watering. Should be pretty short step to set up a float valve and a hose to completely automate the system should you decide. Anyway great system, great design and execution.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Thank you 🙂

[@jonquidachay6004]

Geat idea Pete! Just finished my chicken coup and now figuring out what to do for the water supply. Looking to use rainwater, and this is a great idea for my water supply container. Thanks!

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Awesome 👍 glad it was helpful.

[@gorgesprague7211]

I've used the chicken water cups in a couple of automatic Waters and they work great

[@danielwagner6290]

WOW ! That's a great idea ! Nice Job ! You'll help a lot of people with this video.

[@Yaak18]

This REALLY is the best I've seen and pretty simple to build. Thanks for your ideas Pete and thank you very much for sharing!

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Thank you 👍

[@kevinholbrook7174]

You could also have a fish aquarium pump hooked up at the end of your system to re-circulate the hot water into cold water! This is a great idea and keep up the good work.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Thank you

[@johnwahalla5049]

Very good video, thank you very much. I really like your chicken coop / run set up. These videos gave me alot of ideas.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Thank you

[@1LostDude]

Pretty smart idea with the cooler, never would have thought of that. Now you just have to find one of those giant coolers at a yard sale and your chickens will have water for days.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Thanks, this cooler will hold about 12.5 gallon and should last 5 to 6 days in the summer. but yeah I might get something bigger in the future.

[@johnkeyes8699]

Nice video and what a craftsman you are. I hope to see the chickens drinking out of it in another video. Just found your channel today . Seems as though I'm a fan... Congratulations.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Thank you

[@phillipaiken9879]

Good video! Thanks for all your teaching efforts! I will use this on my coop, I just subscribed to your channel.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Thank you 👍

[@Paul_n_Texas]

If it gets any hotter you may want to add an ice maker to your system to prevent them from laying hard boiled eggs. Summer time in Texas!!

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Fred Flinstone That's too funny 👍

[@hazel555]

Very smart, thank you! Here in Wisconsin it would work great for summer but not winter, obviously.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Thank you

[@alexa574]

Great idea, thanks for sharing!

[@houndsmanone4563]

Enjoyed the build. 👍🏽🙂

[@briancunningham5011]

Nice setup

[@Gwalker0220]

Great idea.. In Alaska freezing is an issue. I dont heat my coop at all... but it would be worth it for summer use.... I dont have to many right now so a five gallon waterer works good...

[@MrSpinnerbug]

Pete real nice. I have round igloo the I put 6 nipple drinkers like yours around the bottom. I suspend the entire cooler from the run ceiling and they can drink as they please. Always clean, cool and no mold or mildew. it has worked very well for me and the chicks. I know the nipples are the best. My chicks learned as babies how to use them and once in a while I give them water in a bowl out in the run, sometimes with Apple cider vinegar in it. They love that. I try to give them the Apple Cider vinegar once a week for sure. I like your set up too!

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Thank you 👍

[@onedazinn998]

Thanks for that idea - I might have to try a cooler for the next waterer.

[@eduardor3475]

Yes, Pete THE BEST CHICKEN WATERING SYSTEM You are right on the dime.. I have something similar to your system but I use a 2 gallon jug It keeps water fresh (decent temperature) I don’t understand how people keep water in a 200 gallon container or in a PVC pipe partially exposed to the sun and they said I LOVE MY CHICKENS, GIRLS, BABYS ECT.. Pete you’re the best and a very wise man you love your chickens and use you time wisely.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Thank you 🙂

[@FA-xw8zz]

Great idea and detailed video any ideas to add a water heater for cold places

[@user-gy2fw2yf3y]

Hi, very helpful video. Thanks

[@jeanneweber9305]

Thank you, have a great day.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Thank you

[@VIVAFPV]

life quality of your chicken is better than human in most countries :)

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Sad but true.

[@Mike-uh2gw]

Whats next, Keurig and vegetable pot pie? I like your vids and modeled my coop off yours. Way overboard with swings and everything. The tar sauce on the 4X4 posts was a great idea along with painting the boards with diesel and oil mix for preservation. I'm not going to water them with iced tea but they are getting some nice accommodations with your input. Thanks.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Thank you, love the tar sauce 👍🙂

[@YahushaIsTheWay]

Genius. I will be replicating. Thank you good sir.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

👍

[@donaldmiller8629]

Pete , you could put a rain gutter along the edge of the coop roof with a tube running from the gutter to your cooler. When it rains it will automatically fill the cooler. I'll suggest that you use a float valve to keep from overfilling the cooler. Unless of course you like carrying water. Me , I'm too old to be carrying water.

[@rc3291]

Could get an algae problem from the rain water.

[@donaldmiller8629]

@@rc3291 , In my system the water is always shielded from light.

[@Livepilot512]

Being in central texas so I like that idea. I currently dump ice into my bucket watered.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

👍

[@debrabershak857]

great video - thank you very much for sharing!

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@drow8569]

Nice job! Im in east tx and it does get up to a 100 degrees most of the summer, and the chickens will appreciate this design. Thanks for sharing!

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

👍

[@scottyg4605]

Great video and idea for using ice 👍 could do with a strop for the middle of the water pipe to stop it sagging with the weight of the water it'll be holding as most pipes don't retain water 👍

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

👍

[@citrumpet1]

That looks good. I was wondering what you do in the winter to prevent frozen water? Use a different system?

[@jeremiahperez1]

Great Job Brother, I live in Burleson Texas, Come make me one! 😎...😁😉

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

🙂👍

[@Dobbo2958]

Great video

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Thank you

[@catstroke]

I don't think the chickens don't understand how to use it (I started a bunch on water nipples when they were wee chicks). I'm positive they simply don't like using it. They love dipping their beaks into water even if it's a puddle or a hollow in a tree root. They love when I rub their beaks clean with my fingers too. Why? Dunno, but they do! Your homestead is a beautiful piece of peace 😊

[@ghilreese3413]

Nice job. The algae with the other hose would also plug your drinkers. I guess if they were show chickens Yeti would have been the cooler choice. Thanks for the videos.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Thanks, yeah the $25 cooler will will work just fine for my chickens 😁 I just can't see my self drilling a hole in a $300 plus cooler 😦

[@davidliles87]

To keep algae from forming in you water tank put some copper in the water tank. Old copper pipe fittings or used stripped copper wiring

[@jakeschisler7525]

Pete on handles of cooler put strapping down to wood table to keep critters from sliding an disrupting anything.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Yep I was going to put some bungee cords over the cooler to the table but your handle idea would keep the lid free for me to open without removing the bungee cord. Great idea thank you.

[@fdacal]

Very detailed excellent

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Thank you👍

[@onedazinn998]

Great idea on the cooler! I've used a 5 gal bucket direct install of horizontal nipples for 5 years & always kept it in shade - works great. The water condensation helps keep it cool enough for Ohio in shade, but I think I love your idea better if it has to sit outside...especially hot climates like TX. Thanks for always showing details, materials you use - great instruction. Loved the video.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Thank you 👍

[@ahuertas69]

I like it!

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

👍

[@fludrbywest3886]

Nice job and design! Thanks for sharing❤😊 does it freeze where you are?

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

It really doesn't get that cold here. I built it more to keep their water cool in the hot summer heat.

[@palehorse1021]

I have a plastic dark 55 gallon in shad that stays cool. GA heat 90's and the sun can't shine through.

[@wheepingwillow24u17]

Great idea. It seems awfully high off the ground for them to drink without stretching their necks so far yes? Wish I had one. :) tc

[@debbrown7719]

I was going to do rain barrel I like this better! I’m on northern New England and wonder if you have any idea to take one step further. 1. Cycle water back to cooler 2 putting heat source

[@houstonfragguy9205]

You can use an aquarium bulkhead instead of a drain. You can glue directly to PVC and they should be cheaper. Any aquarium specialty store should have them. So will amazon and eBay. The box stores probably won’t have them.

[@djcarraway]

Nice design. Thanks for the video. couple questions: This was made almost two years ago... Do you still use it? how has it held up? and finally, whats your method of cleaning it? I realize like you said, the darkness will prevent a lot of algae from accumulating, but the system still needs to flushed and cleaned, right? whats your process? Thanks in advance.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

I would just take the end of the PVC pipe plug out and flush it out with a hose.

[@floydfarms1578]

Looks like a great idea! I guess it was too far from an existing hydrant to run an underground pipe without big expense? Maybe just have a hose over there and let the hot water run out before filling cooler? Easier than lugging 5 gallon buckets.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Yeah that's another project on my list to run a water line underground to the chickens.

[@user-neo71665]

Now just put a gutter on that coop and get free refills when it rains. I use 2 55 gallon drums on my setup and almost never have to fill my waterers.

[@celiagallo7836]

Great thanks for sharing, also like he music who is it?

[@tdenarobackup]

You have a roof, add a $35 vinyl gutter and downspout and hook that up to a 55 gallon rainbarrel.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

👍

[@rfoehn5215]

I really like this concept. It would have been nice, though, to see a teaser shot of the finished project BEFORE jumping right into your detailed step-by-step elaboration of the build. 👍

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

I know, video editing and planning is a big learning curve for me.

[@kenpoe9277]

Great idea Pete! Couple questions for you. 1) will algae be a factor here eventually and if so, what will you do? Maybe pieces of copper pipe placed in spots? 2) any recommendations for us Northern guys to prevent water freezing using this set up?

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Ken Poe Algae should not grow because the water is in the dark. As far as freezing, you could rap the tube and pipe with an electric type blanket and insulation. I grew up in Michigan and been through -20 temps and -60 wind chills and your better off putting the water containers in the coop with electric warmer in the water.

[@Gwalker0220]

Even just a teaspoon of bleach when it's full will stop that... tiny amount wont hurt the birds... Not to much or you will have all white meat...

[@bc-guy852]

Clearly you went to a lot of work here - I'm sure your birds appreciate it! How well did it work out - now four years later? I'm getting into birds and want to design a reservoir system I can use in extreme heat (like this) as well as heat the reservoir (and likely circulate the water, so will add a return) to make it function in winter. All controllable by thermostats - easy.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

They never really got the hang of using this waterer. Then in the winter, I forget to drain the PVC pipe and one night it got well below freezing and broke the PVC pipe.

[@bc-guy852]

@@petebeasttexashomesteading I was sort of afraid of that. Thanks for letting me know! Great try!

[@JcrConcepts]

Nice. Take a look at this one ( automatic self maintained water system for chickens) let me know thanks.

[@eozen81]

Hi Pete, thank you for this video, may I ask if you had success on teaching chickens to use the nipples? People were advising to use laser point or make some thirsty to motivate, so I wanted to check if you had used any tips to make it happen?

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Thanks, but I never did get around to teaching them to use the nipples.

[@jeanneweber9305]

We have a cooler that's red body and white top, could I paint it black would that work? Great video. Thank you.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Paint doen't stick to plastic very well plus black attracts to much heat from the sun.

[@tonylama2012]

I have a water drip system hooked in out out to trees.

[@mbeebe1317]

I wonder if you could add a toilet bowl float and connect a water line to make it truly automatic.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Sure that would work 👍

[@onodacops]

Is there a parts list ? I’m heading to Home Depot. Thanks.

[@BowHunt1229]

You know you’re talking to a real putter-togetherer when he says you gonna sangwich somethin togwther

[@fredflintstone1547]

do you have a video of you building that coop? if so what episode? and at what height did you install the water bar?

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

I do have a series on building the coop, here's part one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpC0Yo2IodeHZrc but the installation of the water bar is in this video. The hieght of the water bar was just below the chickens head level.

[@gorgesprague7211]

You thought about putting a toilet valve in it to where it'll come up and keep it full

[@scanyoursector5731]

You would use Apple Cider Vinegar at approximately 1 tablespoon per gallon, or 3/4 cup for a system the size you have. than add a tablespoon per gallon of water you add when topping off.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

👍

[@todddschmutz5109]

I’d freeze a gallon jugs and swap em out every so often

[@scanyoursector5731]

Have you considered adding a little vinegar to the water?

[@acrock21]

whats the cleaning maintance regimen for this system?

[@joannsfarm7304]

What do you do when the winter months come to keep that from freezing?

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

It really doesn't get that cold here, maybe a few nights in January. But I'm going to open the end caps and drain it out. The chickens will just drink out of their regular waterer in the coop. You could also wrap some type of electric blanket around the hose and pipe.

[@houstonfragguy9205]

Aquarium heater on the lowest setting would work.

[@roblynch7234]

Do you need to do anything for predator protection at the penetration in the hardware cloth?

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

Rob Lynch No, I haven't had to do anything more to the hardware cloth. Of coarse I have two doberman pinschers protecting the chickens and the property 😁

[@roblynch7234]

Pete B. LOL, I understand. We have two protection trained giant schnauzers that guard everything.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

👍

[@windymcgee6833]

How are the chickens gonna reach it?

[@bruceboyles1895]

How do you keep it from freezing in the winter.

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

You could put a fish tank heater in it that is used for the same amount of water.

[@audreylong9170]

How do you keep the water from freezing in the winter?

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

It doesn't get that cold here in east Texas.

[@doreendenice888]

looking for a solution to about 3 dozen chickens, maybe water from the roof into a rain bucket..?

[@lynnhowdeshell2641]

I could not find where you posted to the kind of water you had. Did I miss it?

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

I have well water.

[@susanmarron5972]

How do chicks reach the water?

[@petebeasttexashomesteading]

The height on this is for grown chickens, I would have to lower it for chicks younger then maybe 4 to 6 weeks old.

[@svenrohark5307]

why not put these red drinkers in the container right away?

[@puggkcmo]

You must be an apprentice plumber to comfortably own chickens.