Drinking bowls for calves are a simple design, the main task of which is the uninterrupted supply of water to animals. It is considered an integral part of the barn and is widely used on farmlands. Properly equipped place for feeding, milking, walking and water supply, helps to create optimal living conditions for cattle. The presented criteria are responsible for the performance of animals and the quality of dairy products.
Drinkers for calves
Types of drinkers
All existing equipment is conditionally divided into categories. The choice of one or another type depends on the conditions of the cattle. If you have experience in breeding animals, you can cope with the task of making a drinking bowl on your own. There are the following types of structures:
- automatic individual;
- group.
Automatic drinkers of individual type provide cattle with the necessary amount of water. Often used in tethered conditions. To save money, farmers prefer to make the structure on their own. The main task of the device is to supply water for animals living on a leash.
Group drinkers are appropriate in loose living conditions. The design is stationary or mobile, depending on the number of heads and their needs. The latter option is appropriate in conditions of constant grazing of animals. The stationary design is used during the stay in the stall.
Automatic devices are made on the basis of durable materials, in particular, metal and cast iron. It is possible to use plastic. All of the options presented are widely used for keeping cattle. Automatic structures for specialized purposes are manufactured using professional equipment. It is almost impossible to cope with the task on your own. Manufacture is carried out using approved norms and rules, which allows to obtain a product with a high degree of hygiene.
Individual drinker for cattle
The individual drinker for cattle has a special design. Thanks to the separation, each animal receives a certain amount of fluid and has unhindered access to it. This approach is characterized by a high level of hygiene and guarantees the safety of animals. Level or group drinker, provides water to several animals at once. However, if there are health problems, such exposure can end in infection of the entire livestock.
Reference. Experts recommend giving preference to individual designs. They will help save money and prevent mass infection and death of livestock.
Drinking device
The design for the drinker is distinguished by its simplicity and versatility. Most modern models are handcrafted to fit the size of the barn and the needs of each individual animal.
At the heart of each drinker is a ladle into which water enters. This is done either mechanically or automatically. It all depends on the needs of the animals and the capabilities of the farmer. The individual drinker functions in such a way that water enters separately allocated parts of the device. At the same time, the liquid is not mixed, which makes it possible to isolate its consumption by sick cows.
The unshakable leader is plastic-based constructions. They are the most practical and can function at temperatures up to +50. Plastic has a high degree of reliability, which is why it is popular.
On modern farms, duet drinkers are more often used. They are based on stainless steel, the device is represented by bowls of a certain diameter, to which a water pipe is connected. Water is started using a built-in valve.
Duo drinkers
All designs designed for water supply are equipped with additional options that allow you to operate in automatic mode. Autodrinkers are very popular, they help to save resources and energy. The automatic water supply design is located next to the feeder.
Reference. On the modern market there are universal models that allow you to water not only cattle, but also horses with similar parameters and equipment.
How to make do-it-yourself drinkers for cows
Making drinking bowls for cows with your own hands is not difficult if a person understands the design features and the main purpose of the device. The design should not interfere with free access to the liquid. For this purpose, the parameters of animals and their number are taken into account in the manufacture.
A modern cattle drinker is a device that provides the entire livestock with the necessary amount of liquid. Structures are made of metal, wood, plastic and brick.
Of metal
The metal is galvanized iron or stainless steel. For the manufacture of the device, it is necessary to weld or rivet a box-gutter of a rectangular shape. At the end of the drinker, a tap or a folding wall is installed to allow water to be supplied and drained. The back of the box must be sealed, for this purpose it is sealed with rubber.
Of wood
The wooden structure is no less reliable. It is necessary to build a container from wood and putty all the cracks with resin. The supply and discharge of liquid is carried out at the mechanical level (manually).
Wooden construction
From plastic
A plastic drinker is considered the most practical and easy to perform. For its manufacture, you will need a gutter with a round or rectangular cross section, the diameter of which is at least 30 cm. The easiest way is to get a large-caliber pipe and make a container based on it. To this end, the structure is divided in half.
Of brick
The container is laid out of brick, all cracks and cracks are puttied both inside and outside. The main thing is to choose a safe type of material, it must be moisture resistant, comfortable and not contain impurities dangerous to animals.
Conclusion
A drinking bowl for cattle is an integral part of normal life. What will be the design depends on the needs of cattle, the number of heads and the capabilities of the farmer. You can create an optimal device for uninterrupted water supply on your own, taking metal, plastic, brick or wood as a basis.
