How tall can waterer be?

[Yo Yo Oreo]

Hey everyone. Quick question here about waterer systems. I was thinking about getting a kiddie pool for my ducks (which is 1 mother muscovy and currently 9 ducklings about 7 weeks old) but I am not sure I'll be able to find one this time of year. So my thought next was to get a low stock tank. TSC sells a 50 gal one that is only 12 inches tall. Is that too tall for the little ducklings? Could I build some steps with pavers or bricks for them?

If that is too tall what do you recommend? I need something decent sized for winter as I'll use a deicer but need it to hold lots of water. Right kow they have a bowl about 12" diameter and maybe 4" tall that i need to refill several times a day for them. My concern if i get something too small is that they will splash the water out and I'll burn out the heating element quickly.

 

[wyoDreamer]

Use the stock tank and build a ramp to get to the top. They will love it!
I would also connect a hose to the drain right away and get a ball valve fixture for the end of the hose. A stock tank is heavy when you try to dump it to clean it out and the hose will let you direct the water away from where the pool is.

 

[Yo Yo Oreo]

Use the stock tank and build a ramp to get to the top. They will love it!
I would also connect a hose to the drain right away and get a ball valve fixture for the end of the hose. A stock tank is heavy when you try to dump it to clean it out and the hose will let you direct the water away from where the pool is.

Thanks a bunch for the quick reply! That is a really smart idea with the hose, I will be sure to do that!

 

[21hens-incharge]

In winter the hose may freeze. I put my ball valve right next to the tank and direct water away with pvc pipe.
Once the valve is closed any water still in the pipe drains out.

A couple pics. I also built a ducky deck to help keep things in the pen dry.




The rectangle is covered with my access door. If I could do it over I would have the tank turned and the valve outside the pen. They like to poo on my little door.

 

[wyoDreamer]

Good advice @21hens-incharge

I use a sheep stock tank for my dogs to play in. I can't dump it until they remove at least 1/2 the water by playing in it. I bought a valve for it, but DH won't let me install it. So I make him dump the tank and wash it out.

 

[Fuchsia]

Hey everyone. Quick question here about waterer systems. I was thinking about getting a kiddie pool for my ducks (which is 1 mother muscovy and currently 9 ducklings about 7 weeks old) but I am not sure I'll be able to find one this time of year. So my thought next was to get a low stock tank. TSC sells a 50 gal one that is only 12 inches tall. Is that too tall for the little ducklings? Could I build some steps with pavers or bricks for them?

If that is too tall what do you recommend? I need something decent sized for winter as I'll use a deicer but need it to hold lots of water. Right kow they have a bowl about 12" diameter and maybe 4" tall that i need to refill several times a day for them. My concern if i get something too small is that they will splash the water out and I'll burn out the heating element quickly.

I have a stock tank for my ducks. This is the one I have.
My tank is buried in the ground on one side and I have a fence on the other. (the fence is on thee side where the drain is so I can get to the drain.)
I can try to get a picture of it tomorrow if you want.