Hi!

You and your chickens are going to love this new feeder and automatic watering system! Here are step-by-step instructions to set up your Thirsty Earth chicken feeder and watering system:

How To Install Your Thirsty Earth Easy DIY Automatic Chicken Waterer Kit

Chicken Waterer Instructions

Here are step-by-step instructions to set up your Thirsty Earth chicken watering system:

What You’ll Need:

Included in your Chicken Waterer Kit:

• Chicken watering nipples
• Drill bit
• Washers/gaskets
• Socket adapter
• Optional wing nuts

Tools You'll Need:

• Handheld power drill
• Sharpie
• Scissors
• Tape measure
• Roll of string (optional for straight line marking)
• Pocket knife or deburring tool (for smoothing holes)

1. Prepare Your Container: 

• Use a 55-gallon barrel or another container, preferably with a removable lid for easier access.
• Ensure it is opaque to prevent algae growth.

2. Mark Hole Placement

• Using the Sharpie, mark 8 holes, each:
• 8¾ inches apart
• 2½ inches up from the bottom (Optional: Use string to help align marks in a straight line.)

3. Drill the Holes

• Insert the included drill bit into your drill.
• Align with your marks and drill holes straight into the container.
• If there's excess plastic, clean up the edges with a pocket knife.

4. Install Watering Nipples

• Put a washer/gasket on the threads of each nipple.
• Swap the drill bit with the socket adapter.
• Set drill clutch to setting 4.
• Drill in the nipple snugly. Finish aligning it by hand so the long part points downward.

5. Optional: Add Wing Nuts (for extra security)

• If you can reach inside the container, secure each nipple from the inside using the included wing nuts.

6. Set the Height

• Use cinder blocks or wood to raise the container. One layer of cinder blocks = ~10 inches high, ideal for most chickens. For chicks/small birds, use lower blocks.

7. Train Your Chickens

• Remove all other water sources.
• A few times a day, press the metal pin on the nipple until water drips out.
• Chickens will peck at the water and learn to use it.

8. Optional: Install an Autofill Float Valve

What You’ll Need:

• Power drill with 21mm hole saw
• Float valve
• Sharpie
• ¼" push-to-connect tubing
• On/off push-to-connect valve
• ¾" garden hose to ¼" push-to-connect adapter.

Instructions:

1. Mark 5 inches down from the top rim of your container.
2. Drill a hole using the 21mm hole saw.
3. Remove the nut from the float valve and insert into the hole, making sure:
        Seal/gasket is inside
        Tighten nut by hand
4. Attach the adapter fitting to the float valve.
5. Insert short tubing section (with locking ring removed and then replaced).
6. Add the shut-off valve.
7. Connect longer tubing to the shut-off valve, and attach it to the hose adapter.
8. Screw the adapter onto a hose spigot or any garden hose.

9. Winter Setup (Using a Deicer)

• Use a deicer like this to keep water from freezing.
• For containers with lids:
• Place the deicer inside and cut a notch for the power cord.
• For containers with bungs:
      * Cut an opening with a jigsaw to insert the deicer.
      * Cover with Gorilla Tape to block sunlight (preventing algae).
  

How To Install Your Thirsty Earth Easy DIY Chicken Feeder Install and Feeder Funnel Instructions

Chicken Feeder Install Instructions

Here are step-by-step instructions to set up your Thirsty Earth Chicken Feeder:

What You’ll Need

Included in your Chicken Feeder Kit:

• Chicken feeder ports (4 or 8, depending on kit)
  
• Plugs (to seal unused ports)
• ½-inch bolt, wing nut, and fender washer
• 75 mm hole saw drill bit
• ½-inch drill bit
• Feed funnel for 55 gallon barrels (if purchased separately)

Additional Tools:

• Container
• Power drill
• Tape measure
• Sharpie
• Scissors
• String
• Pocket knife or deburring tool (aka “whirly gig”)
• Tarp (optional, for easy cleanup)

1. Prepare the Barrel or Container

• With your 55-gallon barrel or container with lid... 
  
• Ensure the barrel is clean and dry inside.
• Put down a tarp for easy cleanup during drilling.

2. Mark Hole Placement

• Measure and mark eight points for feeder ports:
• Each hole should be 4 inches up from the bottom of the barrel or container. We found installing ports 4" on center from the bottom helps keep chickens from wasting feed. If you go higher, you'll likely have issues with feed waste. 
  
• The spacing between holes should be 8¾ inches apart (or adjusted to fit your container size).
• Use string, scissors, tape measure, and Sharpie to:
      Mark four cardinal directions first.
      Then measure and mark the in-between points.

3. Drill Feeder Port Holes

• Use the 75 mm hole saw attached to your drill.
• Align it carefully with each mark and drill as straight as possible.
• Clean up rough edges with a pocket knife or deburring tool.

4. Install the optional Feeder Funnel  if purchased separately. The feeder funnel fits 55 gallon barrels and ensures feed flows outward toward the ports, reducing waste and preventing spoilage.

• This step must come before installing the feeder ports.
• Drill a hole in the center of the barrel bottom using the ½-inch drill bit.
• If there’s a center ridge, cut a notch using a knife so the bolt sits flat.
• Insert the feed cone inverted (wide end up).
• Secure it with the ½-inch bolt, fender washer, and wing nut from the outside.

5. Install Feeder Ports

• Insert each chicken feeder port into the drilled holes from the outside.
• From the inside, screw on the nut to hold each port firmly in place.
• If working alone, insert the port, then reach inside to tighten the nut while holding the port steady.
• Optional: Plug any unused feeder ports using the provided rubber plugs.

6. Set the Right Height

• Place the feeder barrel on a single layer of cinder blocks.
• This combined with the 4-inch port height brings the feeder to chicken head height—perfect for feeding.

Done! Your Thirsty Earth Chicken Feeder is now set up and ready to go.