Me and my wife are taking a very slow (>5 year) and steady approach to learning homesteading before we inevitably move farther out of town. My goal is to have as close to a 100% automated farm as possible. Time isn't a huge concerns; I just crave the lifestyle, but also the ability to leave for a couple of weeks.
We started off with chickens towards the end of last winter and we've got them just about fully self-sufficient (>3 weeks with no intervention), but I knew winter would be the last hurdle for us. Right now, I have a 50 gallon water drum with a water hose that I run to the chicken tractor, leading to a couple of watering cups.
I plan on running ~50A ran to this back area here soon (we're planning to keep expanding every year, so will need it). I'm thinking something like a heated water hose between the tank and services (cups), but that wouldn't keep the cups from freezing, so maybe using heat tape would be better.
Also, in terms of the winter, would cups or nipples be better? I see the metal parts of the nipples being a huge problem and freezing immediately, but I don't think the cups will do much better. I thinking nipples may be the better option, and making sure the heat tape is close to them. Thoughts?
If y'all have any suggestions on how to improve this, I'm all ears!
Thanks
by Rhinohumpenpanda_2
4 Comments
The cups will freeze and break in winter. It’s not automated, but the tried and true method is an open water dish (picture a rubber oil pan), and you stomp on the ice to break it up every morning. You can also point your heat lamps towards the water.
In winter, the convenient tanked waterer is drained and it goes back to taking water out every morning during freezing weather.
We put an aquarium heater in our 50 gallon drum with nipples that turns on and off depending on the ambient temp. It’s been great and super easy.
I love how this photo and text proves that you are not ready for the homestead lifestyle.
There is no leaving for weeks and there is no such thing a a gully automated system with livestock.