Would this hose timer be good for giving ducks water every day?

[wtusa1718]

I have 2 almost 5 week old ducklings and plan to move them outside when they hit 7 weeks old. I go on vacation a few times a year for more that 5 days normally. I don’t really have someone that can come every day to give them water but I do have someone who comes every other day to check on my cat so they can check on the ducks also. I am asking if this would work to give them fresh water every day when I’m in vacation or all the time so it makes my life easier. Has anyone used this for watering ducks and if so how does it perform?

 

[bibi87]

that looks like a wind-up timer. you'll have to wind it every time you want to use it. if you get a programmable timer you can set it to run at regular intervals. look for a timer with a digital display.

 

[wtusa1718]

that looks like a wind-up timer. you'll have to wind it every time you want to use it. if you get a programmable timer you can set it to run at regular intervals. look for a timer with a digital display.

Ok I will. So this one just lets you put the hose on for like 45 min in case you forget to turn it off?

 

[bibi87]

Ok I will. So this one just lets you put the hose on for like 45 min in case you forget to turn it off?

exactly. they are useful in their own way but are much simpler devices than programmable timers.

 

[wtusa1718]

exactly. they are useful in their own way but are much simpler devices than programmable timers.

Ok I’ll look for one with good reviews. Is this a good method of giving water to ducks if you are in vacation?

 

[bibi87]

It's what I use. I try to have someone swing by if I'll be be gone for more than two days just to make sure the water is on and everything is running smoothly. It would be bad news if the timer ran out of batteries or froze or some other problem arose.

In general though I don't empty or clean out my ducks' water much at all. The timer flushes the water everyday. It's an easy system but it does waste water.

 

[wtusa1718]

It's what I use. I try to have someone swing by if I'll be be gone for more than two days just to make sure the water is on and everything is running smoothly. It would be bad news if the timer ran out of batteries or froze or some other problem arose.

In general though I don't empty or clean out my ducks' water much at all. The timer flushes the water everyday. It's an easy system but it does waste water.

Ok so it’s reliable? I would definitely use new batteries if I was leaving for a couple of days and I would also get someone to stop by every 2 days but I would need this bc I don’t have anyone that could come every day

 

[bibi87]

Yes it is reliable. I use a programmable hose timer to water my flock. It runs for several minutes every six hours. I regularly leave them unsupervised for 36 hours in a run with an electric fence, shelter, and plenty of food and water. I've had no problems. I'm sure I could safely leave them for several days, but I haven't had the need yet. I prefer to give them access to their foraging yard and pond when I can, but that's mostly for quality of life.

 

[wtusa1718]

Yes it is reliable. I use a programmable hose timer to water my flock. It runs for several minutes every six hours. I regularly leave them unsupervised for 36 hours in a run with an electric fence, shelter, and plenty of food and water. I've had no problems. I'm sure I could safely leave them for several days, but I haven't had the need yet. I prefer to give them access to their foraging yard and pond when I can, but that's mostly for quality of life.

Ok great. I’ll definitely invest in this. If I just cut a whole in a 5 gal bucket and fill it with feed that would be enough for them? I can always test and see how much they eat to give them enough food

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Maybe the semi-automatic duck waterer i built last year with a float-valve can give you some inspiration: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/almost-self-cleaning-duck-waterer.75269/