Homemade PVC Nipple Waterer

With this 1-gallon-capacity Homemade PVC Nipple Waterer, Jason Birch of Hooversville, PA, can keep his birds’ drinking water clean at all times; and if insulted, freezing can be prevented. Made from 11/2-inch PVC pipe, the 3-foot-tall, inverted-T waterer has a screw-on cap on top where filled and 2, 4, 6, or 8 drinker valves at the bottom (each serving 8 to 10 chickens) and is easy to upgrade for accommodating more birds. The screw-on cap eliminates the need to clean the inside of the waterer; and cleaning a drinker valve involves merely rotating it a quarter turn and removing the cup. Birch sells the components for the basic, non-heated model, which he claims can be put it together in about a half hour. He also sells pre-built units, a no-freeze model with heat tape, and custom-built units to the customer’s specifications.

Cost: $25 for the basic model

Impairment Category: Back, Lower extremity, Strength/endurance, Upper extremity