Do-it-yourself automatic drinkers for ducklings. What types of drinkers are there for ducks? Do-it-yourself nipple drinker for birds: video

Every poultry farmer must prepare a poultry house before breeding ducks. First of all, you should take care of drinking bowls and feeders, with the help of which the bird will receive balanced diet, as well as water. You can buy them in specialized stores or make them yourself. The main thing here is that there are enough of them in the barn, otherwise the birds will fight with each other and suffer from a lack of food and nutrients.

A simple do-it-yourself drinking bowl for ducklings

Devices for ducks can easily be made with your own hands. However, despite this, many poultry farmers continue to pour water into buckets, basins and other various kinds of bowls that are no longer needed for use at home. The water in them will be dirty, since pets frolic in the barn and can even swim in such containers. Buckets and basins will have to be constantly washed and new water poured into them. Moreover, there is a high risk that the container will tip over and injure the ducks.

Important! Young individuals can climb into a bucket and drown in it.

Therefore, it is worth thinking about making at least a simple drinking bowl for ducklings. To achieve this goal, you will need a PVC pipe with a diameter of 110 or 200 mm. Using a drill or jigsaw, several holes are made along its entire length. The holes should be 6x8, 7x7 or 8x10 cm in size.

Bends are installed on both sides of the pipe. They are needed to make it convenient to pour water into the device, as well as drain it from time to time, replacing it with fresh water. For further actions you will need special brackets. With their help, the finished device is attached to the wall. The do-it-yourself drinking bowl for ducklings is ready. By the way, you can buy materials for the construction of such a device at hardware store. You can also make such a drinking bowl with your own hands not only for ducklings, but also for goslings and chickens.

A simple do-it-yourself drinking bowl for ducklings

Duck drinker: design requirements

Novice poultry keepers do not know that domestic ducks drink a lot of water. They consume several times more life-giving moisture than food. In this regard, there must always be water in the barn with ducks at any time of the day. In addition, if ducks eat mostly dry food, they will moisten it regularly to ensure good digestion.

It is worth knowing that the duck is a sloppy bird. It is a waterfowl that loves to swim, splash and splash water. It is for this reason that it is extremely undesirable to place drinking bowls in the barn with these pets open type. Birds will constantly climb into such devices. As a result, the water will deteriorate and become polluted. A dirty water, as you know, will not lead to anything good, since it contains a large amount hazardous substances, because of which the bird can get sick and even die.

When choosing a drinking bowl for ducklings, it is important to follow the rules:

• The device must be convenient for drinking.
• The drinking bowl must be located at the required height. For adults this is one distance, but for young ducklings it is another.
• The device must be closed type. In this case, the duck will not get in there (mulards always strive to do this), and no debris will pollute the water.
• The liquid must always be extremely clean. In addition, it is not allowed for there to be no water in the drinking bowl even for a short time.
• The container must be thoroughly washed periodically.

Many poultry farmers make drinking bowls from ordinary plastic bottle. In other words, such a device can also be called a vacuum device. For this you will need a pallet. It can be a basin or any other container that will fit the bottle well. The bottle itself can be 5-, 10- or even 20-liter. It all depends on the number of birds. One hole is made in the bottle. It is best to do it using a soldering iron or a regular hot nail.

Duck drinker

Pay attention! It is necessary to correctly determine the height of the hole. To do this, you need to first install the bottle in the tray. The hole should be slightly below the sides of the container.

The secret of this device is that when the water in the basin or cup runs out, it will come from the hole in the bottle. As a result, the liquid will always be in the basin. The main thing is to just add new water to the bottle from time to time. At the same time, thanks to the laws of physics, it will not always flow. When the basin is full and the water in it covers the level of the hole, the liquid from the bottle will stop flowing.

How to make your own nipple drinker

Another type of drinker for ducks is a nipple drinker. This device is the most convenient not only for poultry farmers, but also, most importantly, for the pets themselves. In another way, such an automatic drinker for ducks is also called a nipple drinker. It can be purchased at a specialized store or made with your own hands from available materials.

How to make

To do this you will need the following materials:

• Nipples different sizes. It will vary depending on the age and size of the ducks. For adults you need to purchase 1800 nipples (they work on the up and down principle), and for ducklings you need 3600 nipples. The latter operate 360 ​​degrees.
• Square pipe (diameter 2.2x2.2 cm). When purchasing a pipe, you should definitely pay attention to the fact that the nipples will need to be located at a distance of at least 30 cm from each other. You should calculate first required quantity nipples and then pipe size.
• Microbowls and drip eliminators.
• Plug (1 pc.).
• One adapter that will connect round pipe with square.
• A reservoir in which the water will be located. The size must be chosen based on the number of birds.
• Hose.
• Tools: drill, 9mm drill and tap.

First of all, markings are made on the plastic tube and holes are drilled at the required distance from each other. The holes are made with a diameter of 9 mm. Then, using a tap, threads are cut into them and nipples are screwed into each hole. A plug is attached to one of the edges of the plastic pipe. Prepare a reservoir for liquid, which must have a lid. It can be easily removed, which will make cleaning the tank much easier. A hole is made in the container and a hose is inserted there, the other end is connected to the pipe. Micro bowls are placed under each nipple. Nipple drinker ready for ducks with your own hands.

Important! IN winter period The device needs to be heated - this is an important condition.

DIY duck feeder

Feeders for ducklings can also be bought in a store or made by yourself. An oblong container with high walls and sides is best suited for a flock of ducks. This will prevent birds from climbing into it while feeding.

Important! The size of the feeder for ducks should be selected based on the age of the bird, since adults require 15 cm of front per day for feeding and watering, and small birds only need 3 to 5 cm.

Good idea for making a feeder with my own hands- construction from an ordinary plastic container. It must have handles. This method of making an automatic feeder does not require large financial investments and a lot of time. First of all, the container is thoroughly washed and then dried, after which the front part is cut off. Then an incision is made on the handle of the plastic container, which is necessary so that the homemade feeder can be conveniently hung on the wall in the poultry house or, for example, on a mesh fence. In this case, you should pay attention to the height at which you need to place the device. It should not be too high, otherwise the bird will remain hungry. But you shouldn’t hang the container with feed too low, otherwise the birds can knock it over and all the grain will end up on the floor of the poultry house.

DIY duck feeder

At self-production duck feeders, it is important not to forget that all materials must be clean. It is important to handle sharp edges, otherwise pets can get hurt, get sick and die. In addition, it is better to do everything according to the instructions in step by step, according to the drawings and not to deviate from them. Then, even with the help of ordinary improvised means, you can make feeders and drinkers that will be almost as good as the original ones. However, we must not forget that the devices should be as convenient as possible, primarily for pets. They should be made in such a way that they can be easily filled with food, as well as cleaned and disinfected. You should also pay attention to the choice of materials. It is better to make feeders and drinkers from durable and high-quality ones, then the devices will last a long time.

When breeding poultry, one of the most important issues is the arrangement of feeders and drinkers. These devices should be as convenient as possible and fully satisfy the bird’s needs for feed and water. In this article we will look at several functional options self-creation drinking bowls for ducks, and to implement this idea you do not need any special materials or tools.

General requirements for drinkers for ducks

Before moving on to creating water containers, it is important to know about the requirements for such a design and some of the nuances of its installation.

First of all, it is important to consider the following points:

• number of livestock: the number of drinking bowls, their depth and size will depend on the number of birds: each bird must have unhindered access to water at any time;
• design features of the drinking bowl: both adult ducks and young ducks love water very much, therefore, so that they can completely lower their heads under it, it is better to make the containers deep and narrow;
• ease of cleaning: if necessary, the components of the drinker should be easily removable so that the poultry farmer can wash and disinfect it;
• automatic water supply system: this is an optional, but very convenient addition, especially when keeping a large number of poultry;
• good structural stability and protection from water spillage: usually the lower part of all drinkers is either fixed to the floor, or the container is attached to the wall on one side.

Did you know? When hunting for prey, wild ducks calmly dive to a depth of 6 meters. Poultry are also good swimmers, but they do not need to dive to such depths.

All these requirements are relevant both when breeding small ducks and when maintaining an adult flock, and the difference lies only in the size of the drinkers.

Advantages and disadvantages of different types of drinkers

In the very simple version A duck drinker is an empty bucket or deep bowl, with a stone placed at the bottom for stability. However, such a solution cannot be called ideal, which means it is worth studying the pros and cons of alternative designs.

Deep water tank

The advantages of a deep water tank are the following:

• accessibility (any housewife will always have such “drinking bowls”);
• ease of execution;
• ease of cleaning;
• possibility of replacement at any time.

As for the disadvantages of such tanks, these are:

• rapid contamination of clean liquid due to attempts by ducks to climb inside the tank;
• possibility of easy overturning of the drinker;
• splashing water during watering, which can cause birds to catch a cold in cold weather;
• the need for constant monitoring of the duck flock and frequent fluid changes.

Ordinary bowls and small basins can still be used for small ducklings, but for older birds it is advisable to install a more convenient, but also complex version of drinking bowls.

This type of drinker received this name due to the principle of its operation. The reduced pressure formed between the water and the bottom of the inverted container does not allow the liquid to spill out (a vacuum is created).

This is another fairly simple solution to the issue of constructing a drinking bowl, which also has its advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages of use include:

• availability of materials (all you need is a plastic bottle and a shallow stand for it);
• ease of use (easy to fill and wash);
• the ability to move freely around the nest.

There are several more disadvantages of this solution:

• the possibility of overturning when the water decreases, which means the need for additional reinforcement;
• inability to dip the head, which is very important for ducks;
• high probability of splashing, and as a result - bird disease due to movement on wet soil;
• rapid contamination of the liquid and frequent water changes.

Did you know? Even with prolonged swimming and diving under water, duck feathers remain dry, which is due to their lubrication with a special secretion secreted from the base of the tail feathers.

The vacuum system is well suited for use when raising ducklings, but for adult birds it is advisable to prepare a more durable design.

Nipple types of drinkers are the most complex of all presented, and to organize the water supply you will have to buy or make a special device. Recently, such drinking bowls are becoming more common, and there are many reasons for this.

Among the advantages of the design are:

• ease of use;
• constant availability clean water;
• saving liquid due to portioned feeding;
• opportunity ready purchase nipple mechanism or its independent construction;
• constant dryness of the floor in the coop.

The disadvantages of using a nipple drinker include:

• comparative high cost of materials;
• the complexity of self-assembly of the structure.

Nipple drinkers are equally suitable for both ducklings and adult ducks, however, when constructing them it is important to take into account the size of the bird for calculation optimal quantity supplied liquid.

Another good option water supply. In the very in simple form This is an ordinary plastic pipe (often used by plumbers), in which holes are cut on one side, corresponding in size to the bird's head.

The advantages of such a solution include:

• ease of creation;
• availability of materials;
• large capacity;
• durability of use.

The disadvantages of the groove system are:

• the need for good fixation (if the pipe turns over, injuries to the ducks are possible, or simply the entire floor in the duck house will become wet and damp, which is also extremely undesirable);
• frequent water changes, especially when keeping a large number of birds (each of them will constantly wash their beaks in water);
• Difficulty of replacing water: together with the liquid, this structure is very heavy, which means that to replace the water, you will need the strength of two people.

Important!When choosing a pipe to create a trough drinker, pay attention to the strength of the product so that it does not crack after the first installation manipulations.

How to make water bowls for ducks with your own hands

If you have already chosen the most suitable option for constructing a duck drinking bowl, then all that remains is to carefully study step by step process its creation. Let us consider the above constructions from this point of view.

Trough drinker from a sewer pipe

Required materials:

• plastic pipe (optimal length 1.5 m, but depending on the size of the chicken coop you can take a longer product);
• plastic elbow (turn signal);
• plug for one side;
• two wooden blocks that will serve as original legs on both sides.

Do-it-yourself trough drinker from a pipe: video

Required tools:

• a jigsaw with a fine-toothed metal file and a wood file;
• a screwdriver with a metal drill (needed to prepare holes before using a jigsaw);
• level (acts as a ruler when marking the pipe);
• marker.

The process of creating a trough drinker is as follows:

Nipple drinker

Required materials:

• nipples operating from top to bottom movement (1800 for teenage ducklings or adult ducks and 3600 for small chicks);
• a square pipe 2.2x2.2 cm with grooves inside (when purchasing, be sure to take into account the length of the product, because there should be at least 30 cm between adjacent nipples);
• microbowls for nipples to collect drops;
• muffler for pipe;
• adapter that will connect the pipes;
• a hose and a water container (for example, a tank with a lid), if you do not plan to connect the system to a centralized water supply.

Prepare the following tools:

• drill with 9 mm drill bit;
• tap for conical threads;
• marker.

Do-it-yourself nipple drinker for birds: video

The order of all actions is as follows:

Of course, in comparison with previous versions of drinkers, the nipple drinker is the most complex, but with its help you will save yourself from the need for frequent water changes and ensure dryness in the duckling, and this is worth the effort.

To build the simplest drinking bowl you will need:

• a shallow tray with sides larger than the width of the bottle cap;
• plastic bottle;
• metal profile or wire frame

Tools worth preparing:

• wire cutters;
• pliers;
• screws;
• drill with a small drill bit.

Creating a drinking bowl involves performing the following steps:

1. We fasten the frame for the bottle with screws to the wall in the selected location.
2. Pour water into the bottle and screw the lid on.
3. We install it in the frame with the neck down.
4. We place a tray under the bottle, only so that there is a little space between the neck and the bottom.
5. Open the lid and watch how the required amount of water flows into the pan.
6. All, vacuum drinker ready, and as soon as the ducks drink some water from the bottom of the structure, it will immediately fill with liquid from the bottle.

By and large, any of the above options is not very difficult to implement, but in a situation of choice it is advisable to focus on personal circumstances.

So, for small ducklings, a vacuum drinker is more suitable, and when breeding a large number of ducks, it is advisable to install a nipple or groove design, which will cost a little less than the previous one.

In a word, with a little effort, you can create a drinking bowl from scrap materials and save a certain amount of money.

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Before moving on to creating water tanks, it is important to know about the requirements for such a design and some of the nuances of its installation.

First of all, it is important to consider the following points:

• number of livestock: the number of drinking bowls, their depth and size will depend on the number of birds: each bird must have unhindered access to water at any time;
• design features of the drinking bowl: both adult ducks and young ducks love water very much, therefore, so that they can completely lower their heads under it, it is better to make the containers deep and narrow;
• ease of cleaning: if necessary, the components of the drinker should be easily removable so that the poultry farmer can wash and disinfect it;
• automatic water supply system: this is an optional, but very convenient addition, especially when keeping a large number of poultry;
• good structural stability and protection from water spillage: usually the lower part of all drinkers is either fixed to the floor, or the container is attached to the wall on one side.

Did you know? When hunting for prey, wild ducks calmly dive to a depth of 6 meters. Poultry are also good swimmers, but they do not need to dive to such depths.

All these requirements are relevant both when breeding small ducks and when maintaining an adult flock, and the difference lies only in the size of the drinkers.

Advantages and disadvantages of different types of drinkers

In the simplest version, a duck drinker is an empty bucket or deep bowl, with a stone placed at the bottom for stability. However, such a solution cannot be called ideal, which means it is worth studying the pros and cons of alternative designs.

It will be useful for you to learn how to make a duck feeder, nest and shed with your own hands, as well as how to make a variety of drinking bowls for ducklings with your own hands.

Deep water container

The advantages of a deep water tank are the following:

• accessibility (any housewife will always have such “drinking bowls”);
• ease of execution;
• ease of cleaning;
• possibility of replacement at any time.

As for the disadvantages of such tanks, these are:

• rapid contamination of clean liquid due to attempts by ducks to climb inside the tank;
• possibility of easy overturning of the drinker;
• splashing water during watering, which can cause birds to catch a cold in cold weather;
• the need for constant monitoring of the duck flock and frequent fluid changes.

Ordinary bowls and small basins can still be used for small ducklings, but for older birds it is advisable to install a more convenient, but also complex version of drinkers.

Vacuum

This type of drinker received this name due to the principle of its operation. The reduced pressure formed between the water and the bottom of the inverted container does not allow the liquid to spill out (a vacuum is created).

This is another fairly simple solution to the issue of constructing a drinking bowl, which also has its advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages of use include:

• availability of materials (all you need is a plastic bottle and a shallow stand for it);
• ease of use (easy to fill and wash);
• the ability to move freely around the nest.

There are several more disadvantages of this solution:

• the possibility of overturning when the water decreases, which means the need for additional reinforcement;
• inability to dip the head, which is very important for ducks;
• high probability of splashing, and as a result - bird disease due to movement on wet soil;
• rapid contamination of the liquid and frequent water changes.

Did you know? Even with prolonged swimming and diving under water, duck feathers remain dry, which is due to their lubrication with a special secretion secreted from the base of the tail feathers.

The vacuum system is well suited for use when raising ducklings, but for adult birds it is advisable to prepare a more durable design.

Nipple

Nipple types of drinkers are the most complex of all presented, and to organize the water supply you will have to buy or make a special device. Recently, such drinking bowls are becoming more common, and there are many reasons for this.

Among the advantages of the design are:

• ease of use;
• constant availability of clean water;
• saving liquid due to portioned feeding;
• the possibility of ready-made purchase of a nipple mechanism or its independent construction;
• constant dryness of the floor in the coop.

The disadvantages of using a nipple drinker include:

• comparative high cost of materials;
• the complexity of self-assembly of the structure.

Nipple drinkers are equally suitable for both ducklings and adult ducks, however, when constructing them, it is important to take into account the size of the bird to calculate the optimal amount of liquid supplied.

Grooved

Another good option for water supply. In its simplest form, it is an ordinary plastic pipe (often used by plumbers), in which holes are cut on one side, corresponding in size to the bird’s head.

It will also be useful for you to learn about the peculiarities of keeping such popular breeds of ducks at home as Ogar, Ukrainian Gray, Cayuga, Bashkir, Peking, and Blue Favorite.

The advantages of such a solution include:

• ease of creation;
• availability of materials;
• large capacity;
• durability of use.

The disadvantages of the groove system are:

• the need for good fixation (if the pipe turns over, injuries to the ducks are possible, or simply the entire floor in the duck house will become wet and damp, which is also extremely undesirable);
• frequent water changes, especially when keeping a large number of birds (each of them will constantly wash their beaks in water);
• Difficulty of replacing water: together with the liquid, this structure is very heavy, which means that to replace the water, you will need the strength of two people.

Important! When choosing a pipe to create a trough drinker, pay attention to the strength of the product so that it does not crack after the first installation manipulations.

If you have already chosen the most suitable option for constructing a duck drinking bowl, then all that remains is to carefully study the step-by-step process of its creation. Let us consider the above constructions from this point of view.

Trough drinker from a sewer pipe

Required materials:

• plastic pipe (optimal length 1.5 m, but depending on the size of the chicken coop you can take a longer product);
• plastic elbow (turn signal);
• plug for one side;
• two wooden blocks that will serve as original legs on both sides.

Do-it-yourself trough drinker from a pipe: video

Required tools:

• a jigsaw with a fine-toothed metal file and a wood file;
• a screwdriver with a metal drill (needed to prepare holes before using a jigsaw);
• level (acts as a ruler when marking the pipe);
• marker.

The process of creating a trough drinker is as follows:

1. We take the pipe, place it on the table and put a level on top (along its entire length).
2. On both sides of it we draw with a marker (along) two lines that will indicate the width of future holes.
3. Now we retreat 1 cm from the edge of the pipe and begin to mark with a marker the boundaries of future holes along the length with the remaining islands between them (in order not to accidentally cut such an island, you can put a cross in this area with a marker). Once the markings are completed to the end, you can proceed to the actual cutting of holes.
4. We take a drill and drill two holes diagonally (in the corners) in each marked rectangle (for adult ducks its length can be 15-18 cm with a width of 8-10 cm).
5. Insert a jigsaw file into the resulting hole and cut out a rectangle according to the drawing.
6. We make holes in other places in the same way.
7. We make legs for the finished pipe from wooden blocks (using a jigsaw, we cut out a recess in the wood corresponding in size to the width of the pipe).

Important! For better stability of the drinker, you can use more bars, placing them not only on both sides, but also in the middle of the pipe. The plastic must fit tightly into the holes made so that the product does not rotate.

8. We assemble the structure by closing one side with a plug, putting the elbow on the other and installing the pipe on the stand.

Nipple drinker

Required materials:

• nipples operating from top to bottom movement (1800 for teenage ducklings or adult ducks and 3600 for small chicks);
• a square pipe 2.2x2.2 cm with grooves inside (when purchasing, be sure to take into account the length of the product, because there should be at least 30 cm between adjacent nipples);
• microbowls for nipples to collect drops;
• muffler for pipe;
• adapter that will connect the pipes;
• a hose and a water container (for example, a tank with a lid), if you do not plan to connect the system to a centralized water supply.

Find out which duck breeds are classified as black and white ducks, tufted ducks, and which are meat ducks.

Prepare the following tools:

• drill with 9 mm drill bit;
• tap for conical threads;
• marker.

Do-it-yourself nipple drinker for birds: video

The order of all actions is as follows:

1. We take the prepared pipe and mark with a marker the places where the holes for the nipples will be drilled.
2. We drill holes with a diameter of 9 mm and use a conical tap to cut threads into them.
3. We screw the purchased nipples into each place.
4. We take a prepared plastic tank with a lid and make a hole in its bottom, the size corresponding to the diameter of the connected hose.
5. Next, you can either cut a thread, or simply insert the hose into the hole in the tank and wrap it with Teflon tape (can also be used to seal other possible places water leaks).
6. The second edge of the hose is connected to a pipe with nipples.
7. Under each of them we attach microbowls to the pipe to collect water.
8. We fix the tube with nipples in a horizontal direction at a height convenient for the ducks.
9. We install a tank above the pipe with nipples, for convenience, performing this work immediately indoors. If there is a possibility of water freezing in the tank, then you will have to additionally install a heater.
10. By putting all the elements together, we get a finished nipple drinker.

Of course, in comparison with previous versions of drinkers, the nipple drinker is the most complex, but with its help you will save yourself from the need for frequent water changes and ensure dryness in the duckling, and this is worth the effort.

Vacuum

To build the simplest drinking bowl you will need:

• a shallow tray with sides larger than the width of the bottle cap;
• plastic bottle;
• metal profile or wire frame

Tools worth preparing:

• wire cutters;
• pliers;
• screws;
• drill with a small drill bit.

Creating a drinking bowl involves performing the following steps:

1. We fasten the frame for the bottle with screws to the wall in the selected location.
2. Pour water into the bottle and screw the lid on.
3. We install it in the frame with the neck down.
4. We place a tray under the bottle, only so that there is a little space between the neck and the bottom.
5. Open the lid and watch how the required amount of water flows into the pan.
6. That's it, the vacuum drinker is ready, and as soon as the ducks drink some water from the bottom of the structure, it will immediately fill with liquid from the bottle.

By and large, any of the above options is not very difficult to implement, but in a situation of choice it is advisable to focus on personal circumstances.

So, for small ducklings, a vacuum drinker is more suitable, and when breeding a large number of ducks, it is advisable to install a nipple or groove design, which will cost a little less than the previous one.

In a word, with a little effort, you can create a drinking bowl from scrap materials and save a certain amount of money.

Preparatory steps

Decorating a site is a fascinating activity; it is much more interesting to make a bird with your own hands than to purchase a ready-made specimen for decoration. This gives you the opportunity to show your creativity. And who is a little lacking in their own imagination, presented step by step guide about birds made from plastic bottles will be a reliable help in needlework.

Auxiliary materials at hand will help you make the craft original. Depending on the selected type and size of bird, the work may require:

• Plastic cans. They often act as the body of a bird.
• Most accurately the shape of the bird's head will be conveyed by a foam piece, which is subsequently painted in required colors. It is quite difficult to make, it will require certain skills.
• Polyurethane foam is used to give shape to individual parts.
• Depending on the shape of the chosen bird, the legs are made from plastic pipes or bottles left over from dairy products. This type of plastic is denser various configurations allow you to accurately convey the shape of the bird's thighs.
• Give the bird's legs natural look twine will help; a corrugated pipe may be useful for finishing the legs.
• The individual elements of the bird are connected to each other using wire, screws or glue. The choice depends on the weight of the parts and the texture of the material.
• Individual elements of the bird's head in the form of a rooster's comb or beak are cut out of plastic, the eyes are painted with paints or buttons are attached. It all depends on the imagination of the master.
• Acrylic paints and varnish intended for outdoor use will bring the model of a bird made from plastic bottles closer to the original.

When working on a bird, you should have scissors, a stapler, and an awl at hand. Regardless of the chosen figure, before starting the creative process, plastic bottles are thoroughly washed and any remaining labels and glue are removed. Otherwise, the birds will quickly become dirty and lose their attractiveness.

Comment! The main difficulty in making birds using plastic bottles is the plumage. The thicker and finer it is, the longer it will take.

Most simple crafts contain a minimum of details; the medium category of complexity includes figures with large plumage. To make a masterpiece, you will have to have patience and time.

Beautiful birds made from plastic bottles with your own hands are presented in numerous photos:

Simple, fast, beautiful

You can quickly decorate the area, spending a minimum of time and effort, by simple figures birds, where a small number of parts are used. Decorative effect achieved through bright colors.

Chick

You can make chicken in various ways, it all depends on the chosen container. If for composition landscape design A small figure is required; thick 1-liter plastic bottles containing dairy products are suitable. Medium size It will come out of a 1.5 liter container. To make the chicken visible from afar, you can take a 5-6 liter plastic container. The basic steps are not difficult:

• The selected container is coated with bright yellow paint.
• A comb, beak and paws are cut out of thick plastic and secured with an awl and wire.
• Chickens look more impressive when additional wings are cut out of bottles and attached.
• At the final stage, eyes are drawn on the chicken.

A cunning fox made from a plastic container, hiding not far from the chicken, will help add originality to the composition.

To ensure that the bird figure plays not only a decorative role, but also brings practical benefits, bird figures made from plastic bottles are often used as containers for plants. The chicken idea is no exception. The following photo demonstrates great idea, how a bright chicken also serves as a flower pot.

Parrot

More more ways, how to make a motley parrot using plastic bottles. Let's start with the basics. To work you will need:

• Plastic bottles, preferably 1.5-2 liters.
• Flat container made of thick plastic.
• Self-tapping screws, glue and scissors.
• Acrylic paints.

The easiest way to make a parrot is to choose a bottle with a spherical shape for the body, which will transform into a head. The neck is covered with a funny tuft, which is also cut out of plastic bottles.

To avoid mistakes, the details of the wings and tail are first drawn on paper. The neck and bottom of plastic bottles are removed, cut lengthwise and left under pressure overnight. Paper blanks are transferred to plastic and cut out. All elements are painted separately. Then the body, wings, tail and crest are connected together. The beak is cut out of thick plastic. An ordinary metal rod will help to secure the parrot to the ground. Even a 10-year-old child can make such a bird.

Advice! To avoid injury in the future, it is recommended to melt the cut out parts of the bird over a small flame; an ordinary candle will do.

If you want to make a parrot with feathers, it will take much more effort. The bird, painted in exact accordance with the cartoon character Kesha, looks extremely impressive. We will not go into the nuances of making a colorful figure; they will be described using the example of a rooster made from plastic bottles.

Medium difficulty category

Graceful swans and exotic flamingos always attract attention. You can make them yourself from plastic bottles.

Swan

Milk plastic container white 0.3 l volume is ideal for making a swan.

Algorithm of actions:

• It is better to make the base of the bird from a 5-liter bottle, which also serves as a container for planting plants.
• After cutting a hole, the bird's body is connected to a flexible hose, which will be the swan's neck.
• Most of the time will be required for making the plumage.
• To avoid injury from sharp cuts in the future, all elements are melted over a fire.
• Bird feathers are strung on wire and then attached to a base made of a plastic bottle.
• The beak is cut out of thick plastic and painted red.

Comment! Work on forming the tail begins from the bottom up or from the back to the front so that the upper element covers the attachment point of the lower part. This rule applies to all instructions on how to make a bird using plastic bottles.

The main stages of the creative process are demonstrated in the photo.

Flamingo

It's easy enough to make plastic containers flamingo. A large bird does not require scrupulous steps to cut out numerous small feathers, so the process moves quickly.

A 10 liter plastic canister is usually used as a basis. For legs you will need PVC pipes, it’s better to make the neck out of flexible hose. As you can see in the photo, the upper part of the bird's legs is made from milk bottles. The body is decorated with large plumage. The final touch is to paint the exotic bird brightly. pink. A large figure needs to be carefully secured on the site. It is better to fix long legs in the ground. If you don’t plan to move the flamingo, you can even fill it with a small amount of concrete.

The bird looks unusual, where the bottoms of plastic bottles are used instead of feathers.

Peacock

A peacock or firebird will help you immerse yourself in a fairy-tale atmosphere on the site, which are also based on affordable plastic bottles. You can make the process easier by replacing part of the plumage with plastic bags.

Main stages:

• Initially, the body of the royal bird is formed from plastic bottles. The presented photos will help you get the job done quickly and without any hiccups.
• For the tail, you will need the middle part of a plastic bottle, cut into 3 parts. One edge of the part is rounded and a fringe is formed due to frequent notches.
• To make a beautiful tail, the edge of each element is decorated with the famous “peacock eye”. To do this, a circle of foil and polyethylene is attached to each part of the tail from a plastic bottle with a stapler.
• The peacock's eyes and head can be painted with acrylic paints.
• The bird's body is connected to the tail with wire.
• The plumage of the body is formed from packages.
• The paws can be made from plastic pipes with wire at the end.

To keep the peacock stable, the body is first filled with sand. Peacocks look incredibly impressive, where the plumage is entirely made of plastic bottles. Original coloring will help you make an individual bird that will be different from all the presented specimens.

Masterpieces of creativity

Experienced craftsmen can be offered instructions on how to make a rooster out of plastic bottles. For the craft you will need:

• Plastic canister on the body.
• 5 liter bottle for neck.
• Plastic pipe 40 cm for bird feet.
• 1.5 liter bottles for decorating thighs.
• Lots of plastic containers for feathers.

Frame

The formation of any bird, including a rooster from a plastic bottle, begins with creating a frame.

Key stages:

• The side of the canister is cut off and moved to the side.
• The pipe is bent to the shape of the legs and screwed to the canister with self-tapping screws.
• A 5 liter container is rolled up into a ball, this will be the rooster's neck.
• Plastic bottles of 1.5 liters, cut off at the top, will help to thicken the legs.

If you plan to make a small bird, take a smaller container.

Head

You can bring the rooster's figure as close as possible to a natural bird by making the head out of foam plastic. This kind of work is distinguished by jewelry and requires certain skills. It is quite difficult to cut out a solid element; it is easier to prepare the head, comb and beard separately, and then connect the parts. Then the workpiece is prepared for painting, for this:

• The foam bird's head is sanded with sandpaper.
• the surface is treated with acrylic putty;
• when the mixture dries, it is sanded again;
• a layer of PVA will give the workpiece the desired smoothness and prevent excessive absorption of acrylic paints.

You can decorate the bird's head in various ways. Eyes draw or attach small details suitable shape. Handicraft stores will provide a wide selection decorative elements. It is easier to cut the scallop and beak from plastic containers than from polystyrene foam.

Plumage

The plumage of birds varies depending on the part of the body. The tail usually consists of long feathers. Large parts are also required for the wings. The body and especially the neck are decorated with small elements. Maintaining proportions will bring the decorative figure as close as possible to the selected prototype. Small feathers are fixed with wire into holes previously prepared with an awl; large elements can be secured with self-tapping screws. When forming wings, reinforcing mesh is often used.

The legs of the rooster also deserve attention. The plastic tube at the top is complemented by bottles fixed with the neck down; the lower part is crowned with legs twisted from wire and wrapped with twine.

When to dye depends on the color of the bird. A monochromatic figure can be covered with a decorative layer at the final stage. It is better to paint the elements of colorful birds in advance, before starting assembly.

When you have the skills to work with plastic bottles, you can create a real masterpiece to decorate your area. Whether it will be an important rooster, an eagle owl at night, or a royal pigeon is up to the master to decide.

Types of drinkers for ducks

There are several types of drinkers:

• cup;
• nipple;
• vacuum;
• grooved;
• simple variations.

Simple variations are ordinary basins installed in a place convenient for the farmer. This design is the cheapest option and has a lot of disadvantages. Ducks will constantly knock over the basin and get their feet into it, which will cause a lot of inconvenience and complicate cleaning the area.

Cup

The design is a container that supplies water in doses through a hose into the bowls located below. The automatic cup drinker is easy to use and easy to assemble with your own hands. Suitable for birds of any age. If you have a water supply, you can install a water heater on the tap, and in winter warm water will flow into the drinking bowl.

Nipple

The nipple or nipple design is a container with dispensers coming out of it. Water is supplied after pressing the nipple. When using such a drinker, the water does not stagnate and is supplied only at the request of the bird. The only drawback of the design is the complexity of implementation.

Important! There are nipples that open the water supply only at an angle of 90° - they are used for adult livestock, and those that operate at 360° - are used for young animals.

Vacuum

The vacuum drinker is easy to use. It is an inverted tank filled with liquid, which is under pressure and flows into a pan. The design is universal and suitable for adults and for feeding day-old ducklings. The disadvantage is the instability of the structure.

Grooved

Trough drinkers are easy to use, but not always convenient. Most often used for manufacturing sewer pipe, in which holes are cut to the size of duck heads. This design is durable and spacious. The disadvantage of this drinker is the need for frequent water changes and the complexity of this manipulation. Ducks, having free access to water, will not miss the opportunity to constantly rinse their beaks in it.

How to make a water bowl for ducks with your own hands at home

Before making the drinker, select the location where it will be located. Consider how to secure the structure to prevent it from tipping over. Think in advance about how the drinking bowls will be disinfected.

nipple

A home-made nipple drinker will cost much less than a factory-made analogue, and will be fully adapted to the poultry available on the farmstead. We suggest you consider detailed description the process of creating a homemade drinking bowl.

To make a nipple drinker you will need:

• polypropylene pipe with a diameter of 20 mm;
• corners;
• tees;
• flexible hose;
• nipples 360;
• fasteners;
• ten cc syringes.

Tools:

• 8 mm wood drill, sharpened for a feather;
• tap for cutting threads for M9x1 nipples.

Step by step instructions:

1. Prepare the syringes. Close one, leave the other open and trim it.
2. Insert the syringes on both sides into the tube.
3. Turn on the hairdryer and weld the syringes into the pipe. The heating temperature should be within 400°.
4. Make markings for the holes for the nipples. Using a wood drill bit sharpened to a feather, make holes and mark the threads with a tap. The design is almost ready - all that remains is to insert the nipples.
5. Secure the tube with several fasteners and attach it to the wall. The hose can be connected to any water supply device. This can be a full-fledged water conduit or a bucket attached to the ceiling.

Important! Leave the cut end of the syringe sticking out of the pipe. In the future, a flexible hose and tee will be attached to it. A nipple drinker connected to a water supply line is easiest to heat. The heating device is installed directly into the faucet and is called a thermostat.

Video: DIY nipple drinkers

From a plastic bottle

A drinking bowl made from a plastic bottle is the simplest and most affordable device. With its help you can build a full-fledged vacuum drinker. If you need to water a large population, you can make such a drinking bowl from a 5-liter canister.

To create a drinking bowl you will need:

• 2 liter plastic bottle;
• a shallow bowl or flat plate with divisions (you can use a special bowl for dogs with divisions for food);
• profile frame.

To make a drinking bowl, use the following set of tools:

• wire cutters;
• 2 screws;
• drill;
• 3 mm drill.

Step by step instructions:

1. In a pre-selected location, screw the profile frame with screws. Place a bowl below.
2. Fill the bottle with water, screw the cap on halfway and turn it over.
3. Insert the bottle in this position into the prepared frame.

Did you know? The first electric drill was created in 1895. It was a large unit weighing 8 kg, equipped with 2 handles. An even more ancient ancestor of the drill is the arc drill, which was used back in the Stone Age to make holes in the handles of axes. To keep the water warm in winter, IR lamps are a good option. They warm the objects they shine on and do not burn oxygen. They emit a pleasant, dim light that can be left on even at night. Thus, you will solve 2 problems at once: heating the water and providing additional lighting in the winter.

From a canister

An elementary version of the vacuum design can be created from a canister of any displacement. Automatic drinker This type is equally suitable for day-old young birds and adult birds.

To create a drinking bowl you will need:

• a canister made of food-grade dense plastic for 5–20 l;
• faucet with drip irrigation;
• pallet 20x20 cm.

To build the structure, you will need the following devices:

• drill;
• drill suitable in diameter to the faucet.

Step by step instructions:

1. At the bottom of the canister, approximately 5–10 cm from the bottom, make a mark for the hole. Try it on the side of the pallet. It should rise 3–5 cm above the level of the faucet.
2. Install the faucet and your drinking bowl is ready.
3. Fill the container with water, place it in the pan and open the tap. Water will fill the pan until it covers the faucet itself. Then, under the influence of vacuum, the flow will stop.

In order not to carry a canister of water every time, you can connect it to the water supply. Make a hole in the lid and thread a flexible hose through it. Connect the other end of the hose to the tap.

Video: Automatic drinker from a canister

If connected to a water supply, heating is extremely simple - installing a thermostat directly into the tap. If you collect water yourself, the option of using IR lamps in the poultry house is suitable.

From a sewer pipe

A drinking container made from a sewer pipe is a good option for large livestock. The advantage of this design is the ease of connection to the water supply system.

To make a drinking bowl you will need the following materials:

• polypropylene sewer pipe 1.5 m long, 20 cm in diameter;
• stub;
• turn signal;
• wide latches.

Tools you will need:

• a jigsaw equipped with a fine-toothed metal file;
• screwdriver;
• 8 mm drill;
• level;
• construction pencil;
• Phillips screwdriver.

Step by step instructions:

1. Fix the pipe and make markings using a level. The size of the slots is 25x10 cm. The step between the slots is 10 cm.
2. Having made the markings, use a Phillips screwdriver to place marks under the holes in different diagonal planes of the first rectangle.
3. Use a drill to drill the marked holes.
4. Next, insert the jigsaw into the hole and draw a straight line along the edge of the rectangle. In this way, you need to go through the entire rectangle, and then take out the cut piece.
5. Remove the chips and continue working on the next holes.
6. Secure the pipe using latches in a pre-selected location.

The problem with heating water is easily solved using the methods described above.

Video: Drinking bowl from a sewer pipe

From a barrel

An equally interesting and simple option is a duck drinker made from a barrel. Such a device will make it possible to provide water not only for a large number of ducks, but also for other inhabitants of the yard.

Did you know? First of all, the duck takes its brood to the pond to swim. The ability to swim is inherent in babies at the genetic level, so they feel free in the water within a few hours after birth. To complete the task you will need:

• metal barrel 50 l;
• 6 pieces of pipe 10 cm with a cross section of 25 mm;
• 3 pieces of pipe with a cross-section of 25 mm, 20 cm long;
• drop eliminators;
• ready-made drinkers with nipples 3 pcs.;
• irrigation faucet;
• wooden block 80–90 cm long;
• flexible hose.

Tools you will need:

• drill;
• drill for 19;
• screws;
• screwdriver

Step by step instructions:

1. Make a hole at a convenient height in the bottom of the barrel. Attach the faucet to it.
2. Attach the drinkers and nipples together using pieces of pipe.
3. Attach the drip eliminators to a wooden block and then insert the tube with drinkers into the grooves.
4. Fill the drinking bowl with water, connect one end of the hose to the faucet, the other to the structure with drinking bowls. For convenience, you can make several holes in the barrels and connect taps to them.

This option is very convenient when keeping several species of birds and animals in enclosures at once. In this case, the barrel is installed in the central part and wiring is made from it to all enclosures.

Video: How to make a drinking bowl from a metal barrel

Heating water in a barrel is easy, since it will be in a place isolated from pets. IN winter time You can lay hot bricks under it or install a thermostat directly into the water supply tap.

Duck breeds for home breeding

Breeding ducks is one of the least troublesome ways (compared to keeping other poultry) to provide your family with tasty, nutritious meat, and in some cases, also make good money. The demand for duck has always been high due to the high nutritional qualities of the meat, and duck liver is considered a delicacy. There are other advantages to keeping ducks: duck down is in demand as a natural filler for outerwear, blankets and pillows, and the droppings of these birds are used as fertilizer.

Duck eggs are not eaten as food due to their specific taste, but they are useful for incubation hatching chickens. Boiled duck eggs mixed with cottage cheese are an excellent food for young animals.

The profitability of keeping ducks depends on the choice of breed. They are all divided into three types:

• meat;
• meat and eggs;
• egg.

For home breeding, meat breeds are preferable, i.e. those that are characterized by rapid weight gain. The following meat duck breeds are common in Russia:

• Beijing;
• black white-breasted;
• Moscow white.

Female and drake of the Peking duck breed

Black white-breasted duck breed

Peking ducks are the most unpretentious in their diet; they consume almost everything, from algae to tripe. Female Peking ducks gain weight up to 3.5 kg, drakes - 4. This breed is early maturing: the young are fattened very quickly to slaughter weight. Peking ducks are very hardy: they do not get sick when cold weather sets in and are resistant to major avian viruses. The disadvantages of the breed include their “talkativeness”: the birds react violently to any noise in the yard with a deafening quack.

Moscow white breed ducks

Black White-breasted is a hybrid bred specifically for breeding in conditions middle zone. The female weighs 3.6-3.6 kg, the drake - 4 or more. Black white breasts are valued for their fatty and very tender meat. The meat of Moscow White ducks is also distinguished by its high taste, and they are also quite large birds: males gain weight up to 4.5 kg, and sometimes up to 5.

Premises requirements

Ducks are not as demanding on living conditions as pheasants or quails, but providing minimal amenities is mandatory. Any utility room can be converted into a poultry house, the main thing is that it is dry, well ventilated and sufficiently lit. If you plan to keep a small (up to 10 heads) flock, you can set up a pen for ducks in a room where another duck is kept. poultry or livestock. If a separate room is being built for the duckling house, then it is advisable to choose a place on the south side, on a small hill. The soil under the duckling house should be dry and not flooded. groundwater: Although ducks are waterfowl, they do not like to live in a swamp. Ducks will feel uncomfortable in a pen with bare log walls; it is advisable to insulate them with polystyrene foam or sheets of plywood.

Poultry house for ducks

When constructing a poultry house, they are guided by the number of birds in the flock. For 1 sq.m. area can accommodate no more than three adults. In addition, it is necessary to provide space for feeders and drinkers (calculating + 1.5-2 sq.m. to the area).

Video - Poultry house from a greenhouse. Keeping ducks in winter

Arrangement of nests

Unlike chickens, ducks do not need perches and can be kept on the floor. The need for nests depends on the duck breeding technique. If you keep “seasonal” livestock for slaughter, then it is not necessary to equip separate nests; it is enough to provide the birds with good bedding, but when keeping laying ducks they are needed. In this case, it is not necessary to allocate one for each head: there should be half as many nests as laying hens.

Nest made of boxes and buckets

You can use wooden boxes or pallets for nests or make them yourself from plywood. Recommended dimensions of “seats”:

• width - 60-70 cm;
• height - 25 cm;
• threshold height - 7-10 cm.

Duck nests

If parts of boxes are used as nests, they should be separated by partitions. You cannot place nests end to end - the ducks will pinch each other. Place places for laying hens along the wall, opposite the feeders. It is not advisable to place nests opposite the entrance - ducks do not like to be “in sight” when laying eggs. The nests are filled with bedding, which is changed as it gets dirty.

Wooden box duck nest

Litter selection

The main requirement for duckling bedding is good moisture absorption. Dampness and moisture affect the plumage of ducks: their feathers become ruffled, losing their heat-saving properties. As a result, the birds freeze and begin to get sick. To maintain dryness in the room, deep litter is best suited, which involves regularly adding fresh material on top of what has already been compacted. In the cold season, deep litter is changed 2-3 times a month, in the warm season, when the birds are out for a walk part of the day - 1-2 times. The frequency of changing the litter also depends on the material used (sawdust, straw, peat).

Peat bedding is considered the most comfortable: the absorption properties of peat are twice as high as those of sawdust, and three times higher than those of straw. Another advantage of peat flooring is that it absorbs well the ammonia smell that occurs when bird excrement breaks down.

The density of the litter depends on the temperature outside the window. In summer and spring, you can add less bedding material; in the cold months it is better not to save it. The thickness of the flooring in the cold season should be at least 25-30 cm, in the warm months - up to 20. Average consumption by 1 adult duck per season:

• sawdust - 12 kg;
• peat - 12-15 kg;
• hay, straw - 16 kg.

In winter, the consumption of bedding material increases, because It is necessary to line not only the duck house, but also the walking area so that the birds do not freeze their paws.

Using deep permanent litter

To extend the life of deep litter, it must be turned regularly to prevent a crust of manure from forming on top. The litter that has begun to become damp can be saved by adding slaked lime (0.5 kg per sq.m.) to it, and pouring a new, thicker layer on top.

Deep litter laid in compliance with all the rules is an additional source of heat in winter and autumn. In its upper layers the temperature remains at 12-17°C, and in the deep layers - up to 28°C.

Heating and ventilation

Most meat and meat-and-egg breeds of ducks tolerate low temperatures, but cold indoors affects weight gain. You can heat the pen with a stove or electric lamps. When heating with a stove, the stove must be separated by a heat-resistant partition. At external temperatures down to -5°C, the duckling house is heated once every 2 days; in severe frosts, the stove will have to be lit daily. Ducks do not need “tropics” - it is enough that in winter the room temperature does not fall below -5°C. For ease of control temperature regime It is advisable to hang a thermometer on the wall.

When heating with a stove, the stove must be separated with a heat-resistant partition.

To heat the duck house with electricity, blue-spectrum LED lamps with a power of 50 W are mounted on the wall at a height of 2 m. To ensure the required temperature in a pen for 10 animals, 5 such lamps are enough.

Benefits of infrared heating

A separate ventilation system in the duck house is not needed. It is important that there are no drafts in the room, so if possible, windows should be located as high as possible. It is desirable that the window can be opened in two positions: fully and for ventilation. The cracks near windows and doors should be carefully caulked. When keeping livestock on deep, permanent bedding, daily ventilation of the premises is necessary. In winter it is done while walking the birds. After ventilation is completed, it is necessary to bring the temperature in the room to the desired level by turning on the stove or LED lamps.

Feeders and drinkers

The design of the “dishes” for ducks used for wet mash should be as simple as possible, so that it is easy not only to fill with food, but also to clean. The optimal format for a duck feeder is a trough divided into sections. The height of the walls of the trough should be sufficient so that birds cannot climb into it with their feet.

Wooden feeder for adult ducks

Tube feeder for ducklings

Bulk feeders mounted to the wall are well suited for dry food. Convenient option There will also be bunker models that provide feed dosage. There are also automatic feeders that help you use feed as economically as possible, but they are also more expensive than others.

DIY duck feeder

Duck drinking bowl made from a bucket and basin

Birds must have access to water around the clock, so along with feeders, there should be drinking bowls in the pen for keeping ducks. They can be made from improvised materials or bought ready-made. Nipple drinkers that provide automatic water supply are considered the most convenient. Buckets or basins are not suitable as drinking bowls, because... birds can climb up there and turn it over.

If regular (not nipple or vacuum) drinkers are used, the water in them should be changed at least 2 times a day. You need to make sure that the bottom of the container is not overgrown with algae. Once every 1-2 weeks, it is advisable to disinfect drinking bowls with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Feeder for ducklings from 15 to 45 days of age

Feeder for ducklings 15 days old

Video - Automatic drinker for poultry

Diet

Despite the unpretentiousness of ducks in nutrition, their diet should be properly formed in order to achieve good performance weight gain. The main types of feed consumed by domestic ducks include:

1. Cereals (corn, wheat, oats, barley, legumes). Grains are the basis of the duck diet; they guarantee stable growth and development of birds.
2. Green mass (clover, alfalfa). In the warm season, crushed green mixtures - affordable way provide the livestock with vitamins.
3. Algae (rust, elodea). They contain special proteins necessary for the formation of immunity.
4. Vegetables (pumpkin, cabbage, carrots, zucchini). Like green mixtures, they are sources of vitamins. Grated vegetables are added to wet mash.

Approximate norms and diet for feeding laying ducks (g per head per day)

Approximate diet for ducklings

If possible, waste from processing oil crops (cakes and meal) should be included in the diet. They contain high concentrations of potassium and phosphorus, which are important for the formation of the skeleton in young animals. Animal feed (meat or fish meal) and dairy products will help fill microelement deficiency.

Having nearby ponds with slow flows or meadows where birds can browse grass will allow you to save significantly on feed for your duck flock. In this way, the herd receives up to 50% of the required daily menu. The ducks are fed in the morning and evening. If the birds are constantly in the pen, they are fed 4 times a day, alternating feeding with wet mash with dry food. In the warm season, it is necessary to monitor the quality of wet mash: they tend to sour quickly.

In winter, when green mixtures and algae are excluded from the diet, the birds are fed 2 times a day, once with wet mash, the second time with grain flour mixtures.

In duck breeding, the availability of clean water in the poultry house and in the walking area plays an important role. To do this, you will need high-quality drinking bowls that meet safety standards and are easy to use. You can design them yourself.

Requirements for drinking bowls for ducks

Basic requirements for drinking bowls:

• high-quality material, safe for ducks, does not accumulate toxins;
• ease of operation;
• structural stability;
• capacity;
• possibility of heating water in winter.

When equipping a poultry house and territory with drinking bowls, it is worth taking into account the behavioral characteristics of the bird. The water container must be stable and closed so that the ducks do not splash the water or swim in it.

Did you know? A duck is able to independently find its way to a pond and then return home.

Types of drinkers for ducks

There are several types of drinkers:

• cup;
• nipple;
• vacuum;
• grooved;
• simple variations.

Simple variations are ordinary basins installed in a place convenient for the farmer. This design is the cheapest option and has a lot of disadvantages. Ducks will constantly knock over the basin and get their feet into it, which will cause a lot of inconvenience and complicate cleaning the area.

Cup

The design is a container that supplies water in doses through a hose into the bowls located below. The automatic cup drinker is easy to use and easy to assemble with your own hands. Suitable for birds of any age. If you have a water supply, you can install a water heater on the tap, and in winter warm water will flow into the drinking bowl.

Nipple

The nipple or nipple design is a container with dispensers coming out of it. Water is supplied after pressing the nipple. When using such a drinker, the water does not stagnate and is supplied only at the request of the bird. The only drawback of the design is the complexity of implementation.

Important! There are nipples that open the water supply only at an angle of 90° - they are used for adult livestock, and those that operate at 360° - are used for young animals.

Vacuum

The vacuum drinker is easy to use. It is an inverted tank filled with liquid, which is under pressure and flows into a pan. The design is universal and suitable for adults and for feeding day-old ducklings. The disadvantage is the instability of the structure.

Grooved

Trough drinkers are easy to use, but not always convenient. Most often, a sewer pipe is used for production, in which holes are cut to the size of duck heads. This design is durable and spacious. The disadvantage of this drinker is the need for frequent water changes and the complexity of this manipulation. Ducks, having free access to water, will not miss the opportunity to constantly rinse their beaks in it.

How to make a water bowl for ducks with your own hands at home

Before making the drinker, select the location where it will be located. Consider how to secure the structure to prevent it from tipping over. Think in advance about how the drinking bowls will be disinfected.

nipple

A home-made nipple drinker will cost much less than a factory-made analogue, and will be fully adapted to the poultry available on the farmstead. We propose to consider a detailed description of the process of creating a homemade drinking bowl.

To make a nipple drinker you will need:

• polypropylene pipe with a diameter of 20 mm;
• corners;
• tees;
• flexible hose;
• nipples 360;
• fasteners;
• ten cc syringes.

Tools:

• 8 mm wood drill, sharpened for a feather;
• tap for cutting threads for M9x1 nipples.

Step by step instructions:

Important! Leave the cut end of the syringe sticking out of the pipe. In the future, a flexible hose and tee will be attached to it.

A nipple drinker connected to a water supply line is easiest to heat. The heating device is installed directly into the faucet and is called a thermostat.

Video: DIY nipple drinkers

From a plastic bottle

A drinking bowl made from a plastic bottle is the simplest and most affordable device. With its help you can build a full-fledged vacuum drinker. If you need to water a large population, you can make such a drinking bowl from a 5-liter canister.

To create a drinking bowl you will need:

• 2 liter plastic bottle;
• a shallow bowl or flat plate with divisions (you can use a special bowl for dogs with divisions for food);
• profile frame.

To make a drinking bowl, use the following set of tools:

• wire cutters;
• 2 screws;
• drill;
• 3 mm drill.

Step by step instructions:

1. In a pre-selected location, screw the profile frame with screws. Place a bowl below.
2. Fill the bottle with water, screw the cap on halfway and turn it over.
3. Insert the bottle in this position into the prepared frame.

Did you know? The first electric drill was created in 1895. It was a large unit weighing 8 kg, equipped with 2 handles. An even more ancient ancestor of the drill is the arc drill, which was used back in the Stone Age to make holes in the handles of axes.

To keep the water warm in winter, IR lamps are a good option. They warm the objects they shine on and do not burn oxygen. They emit a pleasant, dim light that can be left on even at night. Thus, you will solve 2 problems at once: heating the water and providing additional lighting in the winter.

From a canister

An elementary version of the vacuum design can be created from a canister of any displacement. An automatic drinker of this type is equally suitable for day-old young birds and adult birds.

To create a drinking bowl you will need:

• a canister made of food-grade dense plastic for 5–20 l;
• faucet with drip irrigation;
• pallet 20x20 cm.

To build the structure, you will need the following devices:

• drill;
• drill suitable in diameter to the faucet.

Step by step instructions:

1. At the bottom of the canister, approximately 5–10 cm from the bottom, make a mark for the hole. Try it on the side of the pallet. It should rise 3–5 cm above the level of the faucet.
2. Install the faucet and your drinking bowl is ready.
3. Fill the container with water, place it in the pan and open the tap. Water will fill the pan until it covers the faucet itself. Then, under the influence of vacuum, the flow will stop.

In order not to carry a canister of water every time, you can connect it to the water supply. Make a hole in the lid and thread a flexible hose through it. Connect the other end of the hose to the tap.

Video: Automatic drinker from a canister

If connected to a water supply, heating is extremely simple - installing a thermostat directly into the tap. If you collect water yourself, the option of using IR lamps in the poultry house is suitable.

From a sewer pipe

A drinking container made from a sewer pipe is a good option for large livestock. The advantage of this design is the ease of connection to the water supply system.

To make a drinking bowl you will need the following materials:

• polypropylene sewer pipe 1.5 m long, 20 cm in diameter;
• stub;
• turn signal;
• wide latches.

Tools you will need:

• a jigsaw equipped with a fine-toothed metal file;
• screwdriver;
• 8 mm drill;
• level;
• construction pencil;
• Phillips screwdriver.

Step by step instructions:

1. Fix the pipe and make markings using a level. The size of the slots is 25x10 cm. The step between the slots is 10 cm.
2. Having made the markings, use a Phillips screwdriver to place marks under the holes in different diagonal planes of the first rectangle.
3. Use a drill to drill the marked holes.
4. Next, insert the jigsaw into the hole and draw a straight line along the edge of the rectangle. In this way, you need to go through the entire rectangle, and then take out the cut piece.
5. Remove the chips and continue working on the next holes.
6. Secure the pipe using latches in a pre-selected location.

The problem with heating water is easily solved using the methods described above.

Video: Drinking bowl from a sewer pipe

From a barrel

An equally interesting and simple option is a duck drinker made from a barrel. Such a device will make it possible to provide water not only for a large number of ducks, but also for other inhabitants of the yard.

Did you know? First of all, the duck takes its brood to the pond to swim. The ability to swim is inherent in babies at the genetic level, so they feel free in the water within a few hours after birth.

To complete the task you will need:

• metal barrel 50 l;
• 6 pieces of pipe 10 cm with a cross section of 25 mm;
• 3 pieces of pipe with a cross-section of 25 mm, 20 cm long;
• drop eliminators;
• ready-made drinkers with nipples 3 pcs.;
• irrigation faucet;
• wooden block 80–90 cm long;
• flexible hose.

Tools you will need:

• drill;
• drill for 19;
• screws;
• screwdriver

Step by step instructions:

1. Make a hole at a convenient height in the bottom of the barrel. Attach the faucet to it.
2. Attach the drinkers and nipples together using pieces of pipe.
3. Attach the drip eliminators to a wooden block and then insert the tube with drinkers into the grooves.
4. Fill the drinking bowl with water, connect one end of the hose to the faucet, the other to the structure with drinking bowls. For convenience, you can make several holes in the barrels and connect taps to them.

This option is very convenient when keeping several species of birds and animals in enclosures at once. In this case, the barrel is installed in the central part and wiring is made from it to all enclosures.

Video: How to make a drinking bowl from a metal barrel

Heating water in a barrel is easy, since it will be in a place isolated from pets. In winter, you can lay hot bricks under it or install a thermostat directly into the water supply tap.

Installing drinkers in a cage

Several automated water supply tanks should be installed in the poultry house. This will save your time and keep the ducks healthy. Most good option - nipple design. Water does not spill out of it, and the ducks absorb only the amount of liquid that they need.

Drinkers are attached to the walls next to the nests and near the feeders. Drinkers are hung on the cages from the outside.

Drinking bowls must be constantly cleaned and disinfected. Over time, plaque accumulates on the surface of the material, which can be removed by cleaning with a Kärcher. Parts made of metal can be boiled.

Important! Washing drinking bowls should be done every 5 days. If there is a sick bird - once every 3 days.

What kind of water to give ducks

Water is of particular importance to ducks. Their body temperature is much higher than that of humans - 41–42 °C, respectively, and metabolism occurs faster. A duck consumes 270–300 liters of water per year. In the first days after birth, the duckling drinks up to 0.03 liters of water. By 20 days, the need for water increases to 200 g. At 1 month. The duckling already drinks 300 g of water daily. Ducks not only need a watering hole, but also a pond for swimming. In birds deprived of the opportunity to bathe, the sebaceous glands and reproductive system begin to work worse, and immunity decreases.
Rules for watering ducks:

• the water is clean, fresh, without odor or additives;
• liquid temperature - 9–13 °C;
• Water in the required volume must be kept in the poultry house and in the walking area at all times.

IN farming there's always a lot left various parts. All of them can be put to good use and built automatic drinkers for ducks and other birds.

Every farmer needs to ensure that the birds remain fed and watered. Creating a drinking bowl for ducks does not require special skills; even an inexperienced poultry farm owner can do it. The easiest way is to make a product from an ordinary plastic bottle. There are also more complex variations: nipple, cup, trough and automatic drinkers.

What should a good drinker look like?

When choosing or creating a drinker for ducks, consider:

1. Convenience. The device should not be too low or too high. The height should be optimal for each bird, regardless of whether it is little duckling or already an adult. The first ones need about 5 cm for approach, while at the same time, grown birds need to be given 15 cm. It should also be convenient for the owner of the farm, who will have to regularly replace the water. The best solution would be to provide access tap water straight into the feeder.
2. Pack size. The number of drinking bowls depends on the number of individuals; a separate one is allocated for each. Ducks have a great need for water, this must be taken into account
3. Structural stability. Water containers must be securely fastened, and their shape must be such that water does not spill.
4. Easy to clean. All components should be easily removable to remove dirt and feathers and disinfect.

It is important that birds are provided with water 24 hours a day. To do this, they are filled out regularly. For Muscovy ducks (Indo ducks) the requirements are the same.

Features of drinking bowls for chicks

Ducklings must be provided with clean water. The shape of the vessels should be deep so that the water does not spill, but at the same time the babies can reach with their beaks. There are several rules:

1. Small ducks under 5 days of age need water at room temperature.
2. If the chick is 10 days old or more, then use a metal container.
3. Choose a wide container because the young animals like to splash water. A mesh is installed on top
4. The water coming from the drainpipe must be purified through a filter

IN cold season It is important to maintain the water temperature at room temperature.

Important Details

It is important to mount the containers so that water does not spill on the ducks.

Otherwise, they may become wet and become infected. It is advisable to make the feeder closed to protect it from dirt. Adults are not averse to getting inside to swim, so they do their best to prevent such situations from occurring.

The use of bowls and small basins is acceptable if the chicks are young. The older the birds get, the more complex and profound designs they use. You cannot use the same basin for bathing ducks and for drinking. The water quickly becomes polluted, and there is a risk of contamination of the water and pestilence of the entire pen.

DIY drinking bowls

There are several types of drinkers: automatic drinker, nipple drinker, vacuum drinker, groove drinker, made from scrap materials. As a simple and inexpensive option, ordinary basins are used. This option is convenient, but has many disadvantages: birds will often overturn the container and climb into it with their paws, which will create unsanitary conditions and complicate cleaning the area.

Required materials

The list of materials for making a do-it-yourself duck drinker depends on the type of feeder you choose. An automatic drinker is constructed from a large 6-liter bottle or a two-liter glass jar. A plastic bottle will not work because there is not enough air entering it, it compresses, and water flows out.

Nipple drinkers for ducks will require the following tools and materials: square pipe with dimensions within 22 mm, angles, tees, ten-cc syringes, nipple (type 3600 for chicks and 1800 for adults), container, rubber tube and adapter for it. You will also need a drill with a 9 mm drill bit, a hair dryer and conical tap for thread cutting.

A plastic tube is used for the groove large diameter. For the simplest device, you only need an ordinary plastic bottle. You can use two-liter or five-liter. You will need a knife to cut the hole.

Automatic drinker

Intricate watering devices have a number of advantages. The water remains clean and does not splash. It is easy to ensure a continuous supply of drink.

To create automatic feeder You will need a 5-liter canister, a drip irrigation faucet, and a square tray. At a distance of 5-10 centimeters from the bottom, mark a hole for the faucet.

The side of the pallet should not be more than 5 centimeters higher than the faucet. We drill a hole with a drill. We install the faucet. The pan will fill with water until the water level reaches the faucet. The duck drinking bowl is ready.

Nipple drinker

This type of drinker is suitable if several automatic drinkers are installed at once. The water stays inside and doesn't splash out. Ducks absorb exactly the amount of liquid they need. Such drinking bowls are washed every 5 days. If there is a sick bird among the livestock, then once every 3 days.

First you need to prepare the syringes, one is closed, the other is left open and cut. Then both syringes are inserted from different sides into the tube. Next, turn on the hair dryer and solder the syringes into the tube. It needs to be heated to 400 C.

After this, mark the holes for the nipples and make them with a drill. Using a tap, mark the thread. The penultimate step is inserting the nipples.

The final stage: attaching the tube to the fasteners, connecting the hose to the water supply, attaching the flexible hose and tee to the cut end of the syringe. Nipple drinkers for ducks are often heated using a thermostat.

Grooved ones are not difficult to perform, but are not always suitable. This design will last a long time. Often, a sewer pipe is used to create it, in which holes are made to the size of duck heads.

The main disadvantage: the need for regular water changes and the difficulty of performing this manipulation. Ducks, having unlimited access to water, will splash the liquid.

Instructions on how to make trough drinkers for ducks with your own hands:

1. Take the tube, use a level to mark two longitudinal lines, between which there will be a hole
2. Mark the boundaries of the holes along the length, having first retreated 1 cm along the length from the edges of the pipe.
3. After marking, use a drill to cut a pair of holes in the corners of the resulting rectangle, located diagonally opposite each other.
4. A jigsaw is inserted into the hole and a cut is made along the drawn lines.
5. Exactly the same holes are made in other places
6. From wooden beam cut out 3 legs for the pipe: two will be at the edges, one in the middle.
7. We assemble the structure by closing one side with a plug, putting the elbow on the other and installing the pipe on the stand.

Vacuum drinker

If you want to avoid buying new materials and tools, then a vacuum drinker is suitable. To build a simple structure, a minimum of costs will be required. The first step is to secure the bottle frame to the wall with self-tapping screws.

Then fill the container with liquid by screwing on the lid. After this, place the bottle with the neck down, place a tray under it, leaving a little space between the bottom and the neck. Open the lid. The duckling drinking bowl is ready for use.

Drinking bowls made from improvised means

Another simple one budget option device that you can assemble yourself using available materials. Such products are suitable as cage drinking bowls for small chicks that live in limited space.

To assemble, you will need a regular three-liter jar, a bowl and stable stands for the jar. First, you need to fill the jar with clean water. Next, apply the tray to the neck of the jar.

Finally, holding the bowl, carefully turn the jar over and place it on special supports for fixation. Such products are installed both in cages and in open space. Vacuum design Easy enough to install without using additional tools, easy to maintain and quick to change.

Manufacturing algorithm

Nipple drinkers are the most efficient drinkers in terms of the following parameters: price of materials, assembly time, quality and service life.

First of all, they think about what the length of the structure will be, how many nipples will be needed, what will be the distance between the bowls. After everything is calculated, it is recommended to mark with a marker pencil on the pipe the location of the nipples from which liquid will flow when the duck presses its beak on them.

A gap of 45 cm is considered optimal. After this, small holes are carefully made, cutting out the material along the drawn boundaries. Next, screw in the nipples. A plug is attached to one end, and a pre-prepared hose is attached to the other.

A micro cup is placed on each nipple. The resulting structure is connected to the tank. An adapter and clamps are used as fastenings. Finally, the completed device is attached to the wall using screws.

The importance of drinking bowl hygiene

The issue of sanitation is acute in poultry farms. Any virus causes mass mortality of birds. If closed type feeders are used, then the birds do not have access to a supply of water; the liquid is not contaminated with droppings or soil. As a result, the level of sanitation increases.

Several automatic containers supplying water are installed in the poultry house. This makes it possible not to waste time adding water and maintaining the health of the ducks. Most good option- nipple design.

The drinking bowl is a closed type, water does not spill out of it, and the birds absorb only the amount of liquid that is required. Feeders will be required regular care: cleaning and disinfection. Metal elements can be boiled.

Water is important for ducks. Their body temperature is much higher than that of humans, 42 C. The metabolic process occurs faster. On average, a bird absorbs 280 liters of water per year.

In the first few days after birth, the chick consumes up to 30 ml of liquid. At the age of 1 month, the duckling drinks 300 g of water daily. Ducks not only need a watering hole, but also a nearby pond.

Drinking water is something waterfowl cannot do without for a day. Lack of fluid, especially in hot weather, leads to serious illnesses and sometimes death. The device is selected based on certain requirements for the quality of the product and after carefully studying its features.

Some people decide to make a feeder themselves. However the best solution will not save on buying a ready-made device. The manufacturer is required to comply with certain requirements when producing devices.

For example, the drinking bowl must be sealed and not allow water to pass through. The bottom of the feeder should be located 3 cm higher than the back of the geese. The owner will be required to maintain the container to maintain hygiene. This is the key to the health of every bird.

Depending on the age of the livestock, they are used different devices, which also needs to be taken into account. The most popular options are nipple, vacuum and cup drinkers.

Conclusion

You can save a lot of effort and money, but at the same time provide the livestock with a constant watering hole and raise healthy birds. Do it yourself simple feeders from glass jar or a plastic bottle. More complex options, nipple and cup, are purchased from the manufacturer in order to save time and guarantee the quality of the design.