Okra Blossoms: Chicken Waterer

DIY Chicken Waterer - Step 1

So I'm currently using the waterer I first bought at Tractor Supply in the spring (see below).

It has served me well, but I am definitely ready to build a new waterer and here is why...

Reasons to Make a Chicken Waterer:

1. Better Access to Water - Chickens aren't great in the heat and because of this it's imperative that they have enough water on hot summer days so that they don't overheat, dehydrate, or die. I live in Nashville, so we have plenty of hot summer days.

2. Less work - in the middle of the summer my 4 chickens empty their waterer in about 3-4 days so I'm having to fill and clean it frequently

3. Less cleaning - my chickens are constantly kicking dirt and grass into the waterer which prevents them from accessing the water AND gives me the fun responsibility of cleaning it more often than when it just runs empty

Things you'll need (for Step 1):

Enough 1" PVC pipe to make 2 lengths of 1 foot and 1 length of *** (I used 1" because I got a bunch for free on craigslist and it seems thick enough that drilling holes into it would hurt it's integrity)
2 1" caps
1 T joint (1" on all sides)
Power drill with 3/8" bit (double check the chicken nipple package)
Chicken nipples
Pipe cutter (or miter saw)
PVC primer
Beer

Instructions:

1. Cut PVC into two lengths of 1 foot each (you can use a pipe cutter for this, but I just used my miter saw)

2. Mark equidistant spots for chicken nipples, 2 marks on each length

3. Drill holes with 3/8" drill bit on each of the markings (see figure A). Go slowly and carefully - it's easy to drill through the other side if you're not paying attention

4. Clean the ends of the PVC pipe and the insides of the T joint and caps with acetone to prime it (I used paint thinner, you can use nail polish remover if you have it around)

5. Glue time - apply glue to outside of one end of PVC and inside of one cap and then firmly slide on cap. Repeat this with the other piece and the other cap (see figure B).

6. Apply glue to the un-capped ends of both PVC lengths and to the insides of the opposite ends of the T joint. Firmly place each PVC into the T joint being careful that all holes are pointing in the same correct direction (see figure C).

7. Screw chicken nipples firmly into each hole. I screwed each on by hand and then used a wrench to get them on tightly. Mine had a squishy clear washer (figure D) so I screwed each in tightly enough that the washer created a good seal (figure E).