Do-it-yourself automatic waterer for ducks. DIY drinking bowl for ducklings

Rational nutrition and a competent approach to arranging food and drinking for ducks are the two most important rules for the full development and rapid growth animals. Nipple drinker for ducks is one of the most convenient devices, allowing you to organize the drinking process of birds.

To ensure that ducks do not feel a lack of water, it is necessary to install a certain number of drinkers. You can buy them at any store, but you can make them yourself; it won’t require much work. In our article we will talk about one of the nipple drinkers, and we will tell you how to make it yourself, having the necessary equipment at hand.

Ducks always prefer water. Organism adult requires about 1.7 liters per day for complete nutrition. In addition, ducks should be able to approach the water at any time, because they even wet their food.

Everyone knows that ducks love to spend time in the water, wallow in it and swim. Especially for this purpose, a container is always installed in the poultry house of such a size that the ducks fit completely into it. Frequent stay in such water leads to the fact that it becomes polluted due to the earth and rubbish that ducks carry on themselves and on their paws. And here those same nipple drinkers come to the rescue, which will provide constant access to fresh and clean water suitable for drinking.

This type of drinker is suitable for different housing of ducks (floor, cage). It is not difficult to create yourself, it is very practical to use. That is why on large farms and poultry farms experts prefer this watering system.

The nipple drinker consists of several items:

Barrel supplying water.
Nipples (nipples).
A square-shaped plastic pipe.
Parts for connecting elements.

The main advantage is the dosage of the supplied volume of water. The water here is always very clean and of high quality. All that is required of you for daily watering is to fill the barrel with good water.

When choosing nipples, you need to pay attention to the fact that ducks will prefer a large nipple, which will give more water (about 100 ml of water in 60 seconds).

There is no need to teach ducks to drink from a drinker: they see that there are drops there and intuitively begin to use this drinker.

It is very important to carefully determine the number of nipples and correct installation them on the pipe. It is believed that there is 1 nipple nipple per 8-10 heads. That is, if you have about 45 ducks, then you will need at least 5 nipples.

There is also a small disadvantage nipple drinkers: They are not suitable for very small ducklings. The fact is that small individuals need to completely lower their head into the container when drinking, which is not typical for a nipple bottle. Therefore, you will need to install a separate container for kids.

Making a nipple drinker with your own hands

In order to make your own drinking bowl, you will need some elements.

Table 1. List of elements for constructing a nipple drinker

Elements	Description
Nipples	You can use two nipples: 1800 for adults and 3600 for young ducklings
PVC pipe	The length should be determined based on the number of nipples being arranged. There should be about 35-40 cm between each nipple so that the ducks do not interfere with each other and are not constrained in their movements
Barrel	Serves as a water reservoir
Drop eliminators for nipples	They will be intended for ducklings
Small cup-shaped drinkers for nipples	They will be intended for adult ducks
Connecting elements	They can serve as plugs, adapters, brackets
Hose	the size of a barrel to a plastic pipe through which water will be transferred
Screwdriver	-
Drill, 8 mm	-
Centimeter tape measure	-
Marker, felt-tip pen or pencil	-

Collecting all elements in unified system Reminds me of a children's construction set. It won't be difficult to do this. The only thing that will require a lot of attention is working with a screwdriver or drill.

Table 2. Assembly of nipple drinker

Illustration	Description
	Step one: decide on the number of nipples needed for drinking. After this, set the length of the pipe.
	Step two: using a marker or felt-tip pen, mark on the plastic pipe the points where the nipples will eventually be installed. Remember that the distance between the nipples should be about 30-40 cm.
	Step three: secure the pipe so that it does not move and drill holes in it for the nipples.
	Step four: now you can move on to the nipples themselves. Screw them in drilled holes. If you notice that there are any holes or holes left, go through them silicone sealant so that nothing subsequently leaks and water does not drip.
	Step five: on the side where the barrel of water will be located, attach a hose to transfer water.
	Step Six: Place a cup or drip tray on each nipple.
	Step seven: attach the hose to the water barrel.
	Step eight: set the drinker itself to a certain height, which will depend on the age and height of the birds. Attach it to the wall.

Conclusion

Making a drinking bowl with your own hands is very quick and easy. In addition, there are many options for constructing this drinking bowl. You can install a regular drinker with a container in which water will accumulate, or make a nipple-type drinker. The main thing is to always ensure that the water your pets consume is clean and fresh.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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 to calculate the optimal amount of liquid supplied.

Grooved

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.

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 replacement of water, especially when keeping a large number of birds (each of them will constantly wash their beak 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 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:

We take the pipe, place it on the table and put a level on top (along its entire length).
On both sides of it we draw with a marker (along) two lines that will indicate the width of future holes.
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.
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).
Insert a jigsaw file into the resulting hole and cut out a rectangle according to the drawing.
We make holes in other places in the same way.
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.

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:

We take the prepared pipe and mark with a marker the places where the holes for the nipples will be drilled.
We drill holes with a diameter of 9 mm and using conical tap cut threads into them.
We screw the purchased nipples into each place.
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.
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).
The second edge of the hose is connected to a pipe with nipples.
Under each of them we attach microbowls to the pipe to collect water.
We fix the tube with nipples in a horizontal direction at a height convenient for the ducks.
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.
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:

We fasten the frame for the bottle with screws to the wall in the selected location.
Pour water into the bottle and screw the lid on.
We install it in the frame with the neck down.
We place a tray under the bottle, only so that there is a little space between the neck and the bottom.
Open the lid and watch how the required amount of water flows into the pan.
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 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 an area, spending a minimum of time and effort, using simple bird figures that use a small number of details. 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 wings are additionally 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. Next 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 flamingos from plastic containers. 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. PVC pipes will be required for the legs; it is better to make the neck from a 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- this is the coloring of an exotic bird in bright pink. A large figure needs to be carefully secured to 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. The eyes draw or attach small details of a suitable shape. Handicraft stores will provide a wide selection of decorative items. 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 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 difficulty of performing 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:

Prepare the syringes. Close one, leave the other open and trim it.
Insert the syringes on both sides into the tube.
Turn on the hairdryer and weld the syringes into the pipe. The heating temperature should be within 400°.
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.
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:

In a pre-selected location, screw the profile frame with screws. Place a bowl below.
Fill the bottle with water, screw the cap on halfway and turn it over.
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 animals and adult bird.

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:

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.
Install the faucet and your drinking bowl is ready.
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

Drinking container made of sewer pipe- 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:

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.
Having made the markings, use a Phillips screwdriver to place marks under the holes in different diagonal planes of the first rectangle.
Use a drill to drill the marked holes.
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.
Remove the chips and continue working on the next holes.
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:

Make a hole at a convenient height in the bottom of the barrel. Attach the faucet to it.
Attach the drinkers and nipples together using pieces of pipe.
Attach the drip eliminators to a wooden block and then insert the tube with drinkers into the grooves.
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 of 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, the deep bedding 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-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 by 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, which help to consume feed as economically as possible, but also cost more 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:

Cereals (corn, wheat, oats, barley, legumes). Grains are the basis of the duck diet; they guarantee stable growth and development of birds.
Green mass (clover, alfalfa). In the warm season, crushed green mixtures - affordable way provide the livestock with vitamins.
Algae (rust, elodea). They contain special proteins necessary for the formation of immunity.
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.

Breeding ducks is necessarily accompanied by the creation of equipment for ducklings, including drinkers. The most common type of sippy cup is a container suitable size, for example, a bucket or bowl. But along with its simplicity, this design has a number of disadvantages - it is easy to tip over, and it quickly becomes dirty from contact with ducklings. The optimal solution There will be a creation of an automatic drinker with dimensions that will correspond to the age of the ducklings.

The practicality and convenience of nipple drinkers allowed them to easily replace other types. The water in such a system is always clean. It is also important that it cannot be spilled, which means there is no need to remove dirt and wash drinking bowls. They are used both in large farms and in private farmsteads.

Consider all the features of making a waterer for chickens, hens, geese, rabbits and turkeys with your own hands.

The main element of such a system is the nipple, which consists of a valve and a rod in a plastic housing. To get water, the bird just needs to press the stem. Nipples are mounted in a PVC pipe, which is connected to the water supply system or tank using a hose.

Materials

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

drill-driver;
tap;
construction hair dryer;
cutting scissors PVC pipes.

Consumables:

a piece of PVC pipe with a diameter of 25 mm or other;
nipples 1800 or 3600;
wood drill with a diameter of 8 mm with centering;
hose;
tee;
2 used syringes;
brackets;
drop eliminators.

Nipples

Instructions

System preparation:

Take a piece of PVC pipe with a size corresponding to the livestock (1 drinker for 8-10 ducklings with a distance between nipples of 30 cm).
Mark marks for the nipples using a marker and tape measure.
Drill holes.
Cut the thread to 10 mm.
Cut off the syringes from the side where the needle is attached.
Remove the pin from one syringe.
Heat the pipe with a heat gun and solder a syringe with a pin on one side, and a syringe without a pin on the other side.
Screw in the nipples.
Seal the joints with fum tape.

Proper nutrition is the key good health birds. Read about how to properly prepare a diet for ducks at home, what to feed small ducklings, and also how to prepare feed for ducks yourself.

System assembly:

To connect the assembled drinker to the tank, you need to connect a hose with a tee inserted into it to a syringe without a pin. The tee is connected to the tank and a tap is installed.
Drop eliminators are installed on the nipple.
They are mounted on the wall with brackets at a height of 10-15 cm above the floor level for ducklings or 20 cm for young animals.

Video: DIY nipple drinkers

The use of nipple drinkers for large livestock can reduce water consumption by 20-30% compared to other systems.

From a plastic bottle

A plastic bottle is a very common design, the materials for which are always at hand. Scientific name models - vacuum drinker. In this case, the liquid flows from the bottle into the tray under the influence of atmospheric pressure.

Important! The basic rule for placing drinking bowls: when drinking, the bird should stretch its neck slightly. The angle between the head and the system for a week-old chick should be 60 degrees, for a month-old chick - 75-80 degrees.

Materials

A simple version of the plastic bottle design consists of:

bottles;
pallet

Plastic bottles To secure the structure motionless, you can use a clamp for mounting on a wall or other vertical structure.

Instructions

To create such a drinker you will need to perform the following steps:

A hole is made in the bottle at a height of 15 cm from the base.
The hole is sealed with tape, water is filled into the bottle, the tape is peeled off after installing the bottle in the system.
A tray is installed under the bottle, positioned neck down.
Some water will flow into the tray as the birds drink up what is available.

Poultry farmers should familiarize themselves with the intricacies of making a nest for a domestic duck.

An even simpler version of this design is a 5-liter plastic bottle with three holes at a height of 5 cm from the bottom.

Fill the bottle with water and close it with a lid.
Installed in a pallet.
Water flows into the pan up to the level of the holes.
The tray will fill with liquid from the bottle as the birds drink what is in the tray.

Scheme for making a drinking bowl from a plastic bottle

From a sewer pipe

Drinker made of PVC pipe or polypropylene pipe large diameter It is convenient for young animals and large ducks because when drinking, the duck immerses its head in the water, thereby cooling the body in hot weather.

Agree, it is very important to provide the bird comfortable conditions development. Learn how to build your own duck barn.

Materials

For manufacturing you will need the following tools:

polypropylene cutter;
drill;
jigsaw

Consumables:

a piece of pipe with a diameter of 110 or 200 mm;
clamps;
stubs.

Clamps

Instructions

System assembly:

Rectangular holes of arbitrary size 60 x 80 mm, 70 x 70 mm, 80 x 80 mm are cut into the pipe.
Plugs are installed at the end of the pipe.
The pipe is attached to the wall.
Water is poured into the pipe.

Video: feeder and drinker from a sewer pipe

Ducks, unlike non-waterfowl chickens, consume a lot of water, so it is necessary to check the water supply frequently. Water consumption rate for 1 duck according to age:

1-55 days - 0.52 l;
56-180 days - 0.85 l;
adult duck - 0.9 l.

This standard does not include the water that a duck needs to swim.

It will probably be useful for you to know how many days a duck sits on its eggs, what types of ducks there are, why a duck swims on water, and also familiarize yourself with the rules for breeding wild ducks.

All drinkers are installed so that birds do not contaminate not only them, but also the feed. The distance between the water source and the duck food should be at least 1.8 m. This is due to the fact that ducks like to splash water and scatter food while feeding, which creates chaos and dirt.
Requirements for drinking bowls:

the size of the structure should take into account the number of ducks;
nipples for adult birds should have a water supply rate of up to 100 ml per minute;
if the drinking bowl is a container with water, then it should be inconvenient so that the duck can get into it to swim, but such that the bird can dip its head into it;
it should be easy to wash and disinfect.

Did you know? The duck has unique abilities in regulating the incubation process of its eggs. Despite the fact that the difference between the first and last egg laid in a clutch may be two weeks, the ducklings will hatch at the same time.

Making any sippy cup design is not difficult and not too costly from a financial point of view. For daily use, you can make a drinking bowl from both improvised and specialized materials. The main thing is to provide your pets with a sufficient amount of clean water.

To create good conditions To keep domestic ducks, they need to properly equip the barn. Making a drinking bowl for ducklings with your own hands is very simple. In addition, such a design does not require large material investments and is easy to adapt to the characteristics of the room.

What should the drinker be like?

Before you make a water bowl for ducks with your own hands, you need to learn about all the design features.

A good drinking bowl meets the following requirements:

There is water in it all day.
The sides correspond to the growth of poultry.
The inside of the drinker, as well as the feeders, must be clean. Avoid clogging.
The drinker should be well secured.

Wild ducks dive to depths of up to six meters. Domestic ducks cannot do this, but instinct speaks for itself. Therefore, it is very important to give them the opportunity to dip their head into the water at any time. And if you can’t install a mini-pond near the house, then you can put a trough for them (otherwise they will plunge straight into the drinking bowl). In the summer - in your yard, on pebbles and stones. In winter - in a room equipped with a drain for these purposes.

All described below homemade devices Suitable for breeding ducks and indo-ducks.

The simplest drinker

Depending on the conditions in which the birds are kept, the availability the right tools, materials and skills, you need to decide which type of drinking bowl is more suitable for ducklings.

To do the simplest design For little ducklings, engineering education or additional investments are not needed. Old kitchen utensils are enough.

You will need a jar with a volume of 1-2 liters, a saucer - if the ducklings are very tiny, or a cup - if the chicks have grown up.

Pour water into a container.
Cover the jar with a saucer.
Turn over.
Place the drinking bowl on flat surface and secure.

Sometimes a bowl of water is given to the ducklings. This method is suitable until they realize that they can not only dip their heads, but also flounder. The water will be dirty, the ground and birds will be wet. Diseases may develop due to dampness.

Regular groove

You can make drinking bowls for ducks with your own hands from:

A sheet of iron of a suitable shape, which must be bent by hand using a hammer along the edges until the structure resembles a trough.
The finished gutter, fixing the sides on both sides.
Sewer pipe. You need to cut several holes in the top. Place caps around the edges. The diameter of the pipe, the length of the drinker and the number of holes will depend on the number of ducks and their age.
Car tire. The tire should be cut in half and washed with chemicals until the odor is completely eliminated. If necessary, the wheel can be buried halfway into the ground.

Vacuum drinker

You need to make a water bowl for ducks using the same principle as using a jar with a cup. They only use plastic bottles and a large diameter container. This design belongs to the class of automatic ones, like similar types of feeders. It will be more stable and voluminous. Suitable for teenage ducks.

To build a vacuum drinker with your own hands, you will need:

Basin with a rim height of 8 cm.
A well-washed five-liter plastic bottle.

The bottle should be attached with the bottom down in the middle of the basin. It is convenient in that the water comes in gradually as their basin decreases, and it is also very convenient to replenish it.

Features of the nipple drinker

You can buy a nipple drinker, like some types of feeders, but sometimes it’s easier to make it yourself. Increasingly, experienced farmers and young poultry farmers are turning to this species.

Advantages

Convenient to use.
The water is not polluted.
Used economically.
You can buy a drinking bowl in a specialized store without using any physical effort.
No dirt or dampness.

Flaws

Unlike structures made from old pipes and plastic bottles, invest real money.
It takes a long time to collect.
There is no way for ducks to put their heads in the water. Suitable for indoor use in cold weather.

How to make a nipple drinker

To make nipple drinkers for ducks beneficial, you must follow the instructions.

Proper management of ducks is the key to success on the farm. Special attention devoted to feeding the livestock. This is not only a diet, but also the correct presentation. Each feeder and drinker for ducks must meet certain requirements. Choose high-quality models in the store or make them yourself.

Requirements for drinkers and feeders

Eating is an important process for the normal growth and well-being of ducks. The following requirements apply to drinkers and feeders:

Suitable size. For example, the height of the sides depends on the size of the bird.
Convenient approach for ducks and for service personnel.
Successful design. It is more convenient for ducks to drink and eat, and for humans to maintain: disassemble, wash, fill. In this sense good option- automatic models.
Reliable fastening. This preserves food, drink, and therefore saves money. Broken waterers or feeders sometimes cause injuries to ducks.
Purity. There are fewer microbes in washed dishes, which means the bird will get sick less often.
Sufficient capacity. The design is selected taking into account the size of the herd, the type of feed used, and the feeding regime.

Indian ducks and other varieties of waterfowl require a lot of water for normal life and well-being.

If possible, the herd is released to swim in a natural reservoir. Alternative option- arrange a small “pond” on the site. Even a trough will do. In winter they put it in a nesting box with a drain. Birds need to at least dip their heads. If such a container is not available, the ducks adapt drinking bowls for bathing. This is undesirable, as birds pollute and splash the water.

Advantages and disadvantages of different types of drinkers

Each product has strong and weaknesses. This is taken into account when arranging the duck house. In addition, they pay attention to the nuances of a particular farm.

Deep water container

Right under a simple drinking bowl adapt a basin, bowl or something similar. They use enameled, metal, plastic containers. Such products are easy to maintain and inexpensive. However, they have disadvantages:

They get clogged quickly because the container is open. Here ducks often take water treatments. This is a blow to hygiene and extra work.
For large livestock, basins and bowls are considered a poor option. It is difficult to arrange them and maintain normal sanitary condition.
More suitable for young people. It is not so convenient for adult ducks to drink from here.
They often turn over. The birds behave carelessly, push the vessels, and often try to swim there.
Dangerous low temperatures air. The water cools quickly. Plus, splashed, wet ducks freeze and get sick.
Wasteful use of water.

Another option is more suitable for thrifty owners. Savings are provided vacuum drinkers. Here the required fluid level is maintained for a long time. Ducks don't splash water. There are other advantages:

The drinking bowls are closed. They are protected from various debris and contamination.
Constant supply of fresh water.
The model is easy to use and maintain.
The design can be made with your own hands.

The disadvantage of vacuum sippy cups is their low weight, which makes them easy to tip over.

Nipple (nipple) drinkers are considered by many to be the most convenient. The advantages include the following aspects:

The ducks always get clean water because the structure is closed. It's healthier for the birds and easier to maintain for people.
Water is used sparingly.
Sold at any pet store.
Suitable for indoor use in winter. In such models, the water does not cool down so quickly.
Equally convenient for both adults and juveniles.

The disadvantage of nipple drinkers is considered complex design. Such devices are rarely made by hand, and purchased ones require money.

Grooved

Another type that is easy to make with your own hands. Although this is not the only advantage of grooved sippy cups:

long service life;
ease of maintenance;
low cost, and if you make it yourself, the device is even cheaper or free;
Many ducks quench their thirst at the same time from one trough drinker.

Not without its drawbacks:

They are heavy, making them inconvenient to carry and change water. Maintenance often requires the assistance of a second person.
If drinkers are poorly secured, ducks sometimes get injured.
Water quickly becomes polluted.
Uneconomical.

Instructions for making drinking bowls

Some farmers do without purchased structures. It doesn’t take much time to make a duck waterer with your own hands. It's simple and cheap.

Automatic drinker from a plastic bottle or canister

Many designs are very simple. For example, you can make a drinking bowl for ducklings yourself like this:

Find a suitable container made of plastic, polyethylene - a canister or bottle.
Place a container of suitable volume in the basin.
A hole with a diameter of about 1.5 cm is made at the bottom of the canister.
Close the hole with your finger.
Place it in the basin again. Ready.

It turned out to be the simplest automatic drinker. Water from a canister or bottle comes out through a hole into a tray (basin). When the birds drink water, a new portion is added automatically. Such drinkers are more suitable for adult ducks.

Grooved sewer pipe

The next design is also simple. A trough drinker is made like this:

They select a piece of sewer pipe.
They make holes in it.
Fixed on a stand.
A plug is placed at one end of the resulting workpiece.
A corner is attached on the other side. This is where the water is poured.

The fastenings must be made reliable. If the pipe falls, the ducks may be seriously injured. Sometimes the design is modified, for example, made autonomous.

Nipple (nipple)

Another type popular in large farms. A nipple drinker for ducks is made as follows:

Find square pipe. Plastic fits. From the end, the side of each “square” is a maximum of 22 mm.
A hole with a diameter of 9 mm is drilled in the pipe.
They make carvings. Use a tap for this.
Insert the nipple. The size depends on the ducks. For adults take type 1800, for juveniles - 3600.
Using the same principle, several more nipples are inserted into the pipe according to the number of wefts. The distance between the holes is 30 cm or more.
Insert a plug into the pipe on one side.
Trays are placed under all nipples for excess moisture.
Connect to a water source. You will need an adapter and a hose.

There is another simple way to make a practical drinking bowl. Vacuum structures do this:

Find a container. Sometimes they take a large jar or bottle with a volume of 50 liters. Even a three-liter jar is suitable for a small livestock. It is better to take several small containers than one large one. This way the water does not stagnate and sediment does not form in it.
Pour water into the container.
Cover with a suitable sized tray, for example a bowl.
Press tightly.
Turn over. The bowl is at the bottom.
Installed in a duck house. Place a support under the container. To avoid injuries, they are fastened well.

What else can be used for drinking water?

There are other designs. Every farmer takes convenient materials. Someone is improving the device. Many homemade drinking bowls are not practical, but they look original, for example:

A car tire is cut lengthwise into two parts. You get ready-made water containers. The smell is eliminated with a soda solution. Such drinking bowls are not used for large livestock, since the birds will most likely make a pool out of the drinking bowl.
They pick a large burdock and immerse it in cement mortar . Wait a few days for it to dry completely. The drinking bowl is ready. You can't call her reliable. But you can surprise visiting guests. This is a good decoration for the site.

These options can be called acceptable if the farm raises 2-3 ducks per decorative purposes.

DIY duck feeders

Dishes for food are also often made independently. As a rule, duck feeders are convenient and simple. The following varieties are popular:

Used for farms of any size. Consists of a container and a tray. A five-liter bottle and basin are suitable. Make holes and connect both parts of the structure with wire. The food pours out of an inverted bottle into a basin. When the ducks eat a portion, the next portion appears automatically.
Wooden - made of chipboard or boards. Sometimes they just take a ready-made trough. They are equipped with partitions about 20 cm wide. The height of the sides is 7–10 cm. One such duck feeder is often designed for 16–20 heads.
with a turn. The feeder is not afraid of shocks or bad weather. A plug is placed on one side of the pipe. Next, mark the places for the rectangular cutouts. The distance between them is approximately 5 cm. They drill holes and saw with a jigsaw. Securely fastened with latches.

When choosing and installing any of the models, you need to check the stability of the feeder. This will help avoid injuries among the livestock, save feed and protect it from contamination.

Installation of drinkers and feeders in the cage

Ducks are active birds. They will knock down anything that is not securely secured. Injuries and unnecessary wastage of feed or water occur. This can be avoided by following a few rules. For drinkers they are as follows:

Some types are attached to the walls of the poultry house.
Placed next to nests and feeders.
If it is a cage, hang drinking bowls with outside.
It is advisable to install water tanks indoors. This way she doesn’t freeze in cold weather. Outdoors are sometimes equipped with heaters. Those sold for aquarium fish are suitable.

Duck feeders, whether made by yourself or purchased, are also placed correctly. Sometimes they are attached to the floor. This applies, for example, to a feeder made from a sewer pipe. In other cases, they hang it on the wall. The distance is small so that the birds can get food - about 20 cm from the floor.

When purchasing or making feeders and drinkers, consider a few more points:

Containers are selected and installed so that there is water in them constantly. This is important for the proper development and health of ducks. One bird drinks approximately 270–300 liters per year. In the first days of life, ducklings need up to 0.03 liters per day. By a month this norm increases to 300 ml.
Some farmers install “dual-use” sippy cups. They are also used for bathing ducks. This is not entirely correct. Ducks need plenty of clean water to drink and a full bath. Otherwise, health problems arise - the immune system weakens, reproductive system, the sebaceous glands can't cope.
If the sippy cups are open, choose deep and narrow models. With this design, it is more convenient for ducks to immerse their heads.
They are thinking about installing more practical automatic drinkers. Particularly useful on large farms.
Some poultry keepers simply scatter feed around the pen. It's not economical. The ducks will trample most of the food. To combat losses, open feeders are filled to about a third. Additionally, protection is sometimes installed to prevent paws from climbing.
Feeders and drinkers for ducklings are made one size, for adults - another. Design features and dimensions depend on the age of the bird.

Duck waterers and feeders are chosen or done correctly. It is important to provide the livestock with not only adequate nutrition with fresh and clean food, but also constant access to water for drinking and “water procedures.”