Do it Yourself (DIY)

Start a heated chicken waterer DIY project using five-gallon buckets and a few other simple supplies for a homemade heated chicken waterer.We have developed a line of poultry waterers, including this heated one you can make yourself. To construct the heated waterer, start with a 5-gallon bucket waterer with poultry nipples. Additional supplies you’ll need include a second bucket, a 3-foot pipe-heating cable (aka heat tape) and duct tape.(Note: This project may not conform to the safety instructions provided by some heat tape manufacturers.?–MOTHER EARTH NEWS)First, cut the bottom off of your extra bucket by starting your hole with the drill, then make your cut with the jigsaw. Remove the handle. Starting from the bottom edge of the bottomless bucket, use a coping saw to make a small slit about 3 inches up the side, then set aside the modified bucket.Wrap the heat tape around the outside of the unmodified…
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If your vision of a perfect homestead includes beautiful, durable all-weather pathways and patios, then it’s hard to beat concrete paving bricks. They’re easy to handle and require only a few tools to install, and their classic beauty is timeless. That’s good, because they can last a long, long time with minimal maintenance.There’s also never been a better time to add brick-paved features around your property. The variety and beauty of concrete brick is stunning. Designs have come a long way from the time when your only option was pink bricks, all of exactly the same size. Over the past 10 years, many different brick and stonelike products that vary in size, color and shape have appeared on the market. You can even get “tumbled brick” that offers a rustic, weathered look right out of the delivery truck.Products, tools and techniques have been refined to the point that, with a…
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