We were asked if we can custom make chicken coop ceramic stoneware Waterer / Feeder on commission. After searching for additional information, we found out that they were used until 50-100 years ago and all you can find is very expensive antiques ceramic waterer or feeders. Their size is about 2-3 litters. The benefits of the design below are: 1) Stable and hard to disturb, 2) Difficult for chickens to stand on it (less chicken poop in water or food), 3) Very durable and easy to use. The only design issue we came across is that it is one piece and may be difficult to scrub the inside. Have fun trying it!
Made to order chicken waterer is $90 for 1.5 litter size
Center the clay (about 6 lbs)
Push down
Make a hole leaving 3/8" on bottom
Open pot further
...to about 6" wide
Pull walls up
And up ...
Last pulling to insure wall uniformity
Push top in (top gets thicker)
Thin the top and pull further
Shape the pot and compress walls
Bring neck in
.
Bring neck further in
Refine pot's shape
Close top in - leave room for 1 finger
Create the knobs shape
Close top completely
Insure it is sealed and thick enough
Define knob's top
Define knob's bottom
Note: Make the slit cut on the wheel by keeping the cutting knife steady while turning the pottery wheel slowly to insure a perfect parallel cut. Trimming the pot upside down may be difficult (pointy top) and trimming on the wheel as illustrated, will safe the trouble later.
Trim for right thickness on bottom
Remove excess clay
Pintool hole to let air out while drying
Let clay dry a bit & cut a slit 3 - 4"
Note: Bottom lip need to extend above upper lip to insure the water column does not leak. If stretching the bottom lip is not enough, adding a coil as illustrated below is required.
Push upper hole in
Shape the curve
Thin and pull bottom lip
Shape bottom lip
Final Note: When glazing, be aware that glaze must reach the entire inside of the pot for easy cleaning. Pouring glaze inside and spraying the outside seem to be the most efficient way to so. Using and applying glazes technique
