Another Duck waterer question

[vlapinta]

I have three call ducks. Would I be better getting something that holds 1 gallon or 3 gallons of water? They will have a pool in their pen. This is just for drinking water. I want to ultimately be able to change the drinking water once a day. Now I have them with a quart waterer in their brooder. I am changing the water 4-5 times a day.

Vicki

 

[1lpoock]

Why not go for the three gallons, you probably won't have to change it once a day then, it will hold a lot more.

 

[vlapinta]

Can I get a poultry waterer? Can anyone recommend one that works for them? I want to avoid just putting water in pails or tubs. I would rather have a reserve tank, so to speak, so they can't mess up all their water at once. I am getting ready to put them out in their new pen during the day. I had to take them out of the rubbermaid container I was using as a brooder, they out grew that. I have them in a large cardboard box that my grill came in with a vinyl table cloth on the inside so it is a little water proof. Then I put wood chips over the table cloth. I really need to get them outside but the last few days it was cold (50's) and rainy here in NJ. I am hoping it warms up this week.

Vicki

 

[Amiga]

I am using a three gallon plastic poultry waterer, and it can last from 3 to 12 hours or so, depending on my eleven runners' moods!

There is a little osmosis - the longer it sits in the brooder, the more detritus makes its way up into the canister. But it is a slow process. Just wanted to let you know that at least daily it needs to be thoroughly rinsed out and reloaded. But the top screws on so that I can, if need be, just top it up from the top.

Outdoors I use a very large salad mixing bowl aside their concrete mixing pans for swimming. That seems to do it in the duck yard, which I don't mind getting rather wet (it is very well drained).

 

[vlapinta]

Amiga is it hard to take the poltry waterer apart to clean? I am using mason jars with bases and they are very easy to clean. They are only a quart so definately not big enough. I am wondering if maybe I am better off with 2 smaller 1 gallon waters ratjer than a larger 3 gallon one. It might be easier to handle a smaller 1 gallon one. hmmm decisions, decisions. i just don't want to keep buying things!

Vicki

 

[chickboss]

Typically most poultry water containers will be easy to clean. Pretty similar to your mason jar set up, just bigger and probably plastic.

I have a large 5 gal. poultry waterer and even though it is desinged differently, it is pretty easy to get in there and scrub it out.

 

[Amiga]

I find the three gallon waterer easy to clean. About three out of four times, I can just rinse it with very hot water (sometimes a quarter cup of vinegar) and wipe it and it's good. About the fourth go I get the dishwashing liquid and a brush. It's quick.

The top needs to be snug for it to work (it's a vacuum waterer), but that is about the only special consideration. If I can snug it, anyone can snug it!

Also, three gallons of water plus a waterer weighs close to 25 pounds. It can be filled in place to avoid lugging.

I am not generally a fan of plastic, but I prefer it to galvanized, especially when I want to add vitamins or ACV to their water.

But then, I am giving water to eleven runners, not three calls. A one-gallon has a smaller footprint, too.

 

[vlapinta]

Can anyone recommend a good one to buy?

Vicki