Infinite Chicken Water- Basic float valve instructions

Automatic chicken water has been the best thing in the world for me, so since it’s chicken week, I’ll share my approach! In the heat of the summer, the birds drink a LOT and I couldn’t see the water level in my old opaque nipple bucket so they ran out a couple times. So I opted to automate. This is not an all year solution, but it will get you by outside of freezing weather.

Parts list:
-Chicken nipple bucket. I chose to upgrade my upcycled 5 gallon bucket for a purchased version. This Harris Farms model has threaded holes in the bottom that keep it leak free, and feet so you can set it down without smashing the nipples into the mud (features my bucket did not have.) Plus, square sides make for better attachment.
-Hose adapter. Assuming your water source is an outdoor hydrant, this Sharkbite product is an easy way to adapt to a small poly line.
- Polyethylene tubing. 3/8 exterior, ¼ interior, however many feet you need. I got 100 feet for $22.
- Float valve. These tend to come built to receive ¼ EXTERIOR hose size, but some have an adapter that takes your 3/8 exterior down to the ¼ exterior size. So unless you can find one that receives the 3/8 exterior hose, you’ll need a couple inches of ¼ exterior tubing, which is easy to find at the hardware store. Usually used in freezer ice makers.

It was super simple to drill a hole in the side of the bucket and hook up the water line. The floats are usually adjustable and easy to figure out. My finished picture has a lot of other fittings involved but you can ignore those. That’s just extra stuff I had on hand which I used to make a stub with a valve on the end for whatever random rinsing needs I might have when I’m in the bird run. All in, around $70 is a huge labor saver and gives me piece of mind that I did not forget to provide water to the layers.

I set up something very similar earlier this summer! Posted pics here:
https://permies.com/t/156691/chicken-waterers#1270297

I have basically the same setup, only difference is I ran poly tubing from my already existing drip lines for the garden to feed the water bucket.  Since I water several times a day here, the bucket is constantly being topped off, but there's never a constant pressure to it.  Super simple especially for someone already running drip in their garden.

It has worked flawlessly for two years.  I'd highly recommend a black bucket.  I've had zero algae buildup for two years.
117F here yesterday.  105+ on average for three months, happy chickens that lay consistently.
https://permies.com/t/116772/Hot-weather-chicken-watering-drip#1054404