Just gifted with 8 water barrels

[Wolf mom]

What do I can with them?

They're the 50 gallon kind. 4 are blue, four are the semi-translucent white.

Wish they had screw off lids, but they only have 2 little 3" holes in the top.

I already have two that I'm using for horse waterers.

Can't use them as rain barrels as we have little rain year round except in our monsoon season.

Oh. and is there anything I need to do to store them - empty- for the winter so they don't crack? (Light snow area). They'll probably have to stay outside.

Just had an idea. Would it be feasable to use a couple for grey water collection. If so, how?

[Rocky Fields]

Hey.

The barrels will drill with a hole saw blade real easy. A sawzall will cut them for you.
The barrels will freeze and crack if you leave too much water in them. Eventually, leaving them out in the sun will cause them to crack. Leave the screwin plugs slightly loose, so they breathe when empty. I get them from a guy I know for $5 each...originally they had vinegar in them and clean out inside with a pressure cleaner wand super easy.

RF

[indypartridge]

Originally Posted by Wolf mom

I already have two that I'm using for horse waterers.

Barrels? Horses? It's time for barrel racin'!

[Jim S.]

You can cut out half of the side, hang them by rope or chains, and use them for mineral block feeders. You can cut them in half and use them for open feed feeders, by screwing two pieces of 2x4 to them so they won't rock. If you cut the barrel sideways into thirds, the top and bottom third can be used as large flower pots. Drill holes for drainage. If you lay the barrel on it's side, cut out an entrance opening in the top, and attach bracing 2x4s so it won't roll, it's a doghouse or goat kid house or whatever.