Poultry farms require essential best automatic chicken waterer that ensures the provision of clean water at all times. The equipment should be reliable, uncloggable, leak-proof, disease-resistant, and easy to administer medication. Commonly used water drinking equipment includes vacuum-type water drinkers, hanging tower-type water drinkers, nipple-type water drinkers, cup-type water drinkers, and long troughs.
(1) Tower-shaped vacuum water drinker
Mostly composed of a pointed top cylindrical barrel and a base plate slightly larger in diameter than the barrel. The barrel’s top and side walls are airtight, and 1-2 small round holes (diameter 0.5-1.0 cm) are located 2.5 cm above the base. When in use, fill the barrel with water up to the holes, then place the base plate on and flip it over. In this way, air can enter the barrel through the cracks and holes, allowing water to flow to the base plate. When the water level inside the barrel is higher than the holes, air can’t enter, creating a vacuum at the top of the barrel, stopping the water flow. This ensures that the water level in the base plate remains slightly above the upper edge of the holes until the water in the barrel is used up. This water drinker has a simple structure, is easy to use, and can be easily cleaned and disinfected. It can be made of materials such as galvanized iron, plastic, or even large glass bottles for convenient and widespread use.
(2) V-shaped or U-shaped water trough
V-shaped water troughs are mostly made of galvanized iron. In the past, cage-raised chickens mostly used V-shaped water troughs, but due to corrosion and water leakage after about 3 years of use, it necessitated the replacement of the trough. U-shaped water troughs made of plastic have solved the corrosion and water leakage issues associated with V-shaped troughs. U-shaped troughs are easy to use, easy to clean, and have a long lifespan.
Long flow water trough
One end of the trough is fitted with a constantly open faucet, and the other end has an overflow plug and an outlet pipe to control the liquid level. During cleaning, simply remove the overflow plug.
Float valve water trough
One end of the trough is connected to a float chamber, inside which a float and valve are installed. When the water level inside the trough drops, the float falls, opening the valve and allowing water to flow into the trough. When the water level reaches a certain height, the float rises, closing the valve and stopping the water flow.
Spring valve water trough
The entire trough is suspended on a spring valve, using the weight of the water inside to control the valve’s opening and closing.
(3) Hanging tower water drinker
It hangs inside the chicken coop, doesn’t hinder the chickens’ movement, and is commonly used for free-range chickens. It consists of a water tray and a control mechanism. The water tray is a plastic tower with a hollow center and a circular groove around the edge for the chickens to drink from. The upper end of the valve body, controlling the water outlet, is connected to the main water pipe via a hose, and the other end is suspended from the ceiling with a rope. The water tray hangs on the control rod of the valve body, controlling the opening and closing of the water outlet valve. When the water tray is empty, the spring overcomes the weight of the water tray, causing the control rod to move upward, opening the water outlet valve, allowing water to flow along the surface of the water tray into the circular groove. When the water level reaches a certain height, the weight of the water tray increases, increasing the tension in the spring, causing the control rod to move downward, closing the water outlet valve, stopping the water flow.
Consists of a valve core and a trigger lever, directly connected to the water pipe. Due to the capillary action, the trigger lever always has a drop of water hanging from it. When the chicken needs to drink water, it simply pecks the trigger lever, causing water to flow. After the chicken finishes drinking, the trigger lever blocks the water passage, stopping the flow. This type of water drinker is installed above the chicken’s head, allowing it to drink by lifting its head. It can be installed inside or outside the cage, and the installation height can be adjusted according to the size of the chicken.
(5) Cup-type water drinker
Shaped like a cup, connected to the water pipe. The cup has a trigger plate, which always retains some water. When the chicken pecks the trigger plate, the valve opens, allowing water to flow into the cup. After the chicken drinks water, the buoyancy of the water helps the trigger plate return to its original position, stopping the water flow.
Trigger plate 2. Plate shaft 3. Top rod 4. Sealing cap 5. Water supply pipe
