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When breeding cattle, it is necessary to create appropriate conditions of detention: the temperature must be maintained in the room so that the mark does not fall below 17 degrees, this requires heating and there should be no drafts in the building, and manure is also cleaned daily. Each stall is equipped with a feeder and a drinker with a supply of clean water, animals need daily feed and a set volume of liquid. Drinking bowls can be made on their own or by engaging specialists who will fulfill the requirements of the breeder and do the work on a turnkey basis.
Drinking bowls for cattle: what is it and why is it needed
No livestock farmer can do without this equipment. Drinking bowls for cattle are installed so that animals can get enough water. The correct water balance affects the quality and quantity of products. The requirements for drinking bowls are:
- available regulation of water supply;
- convenient cleaning of the tank to maintain sanitary standards;
- the harmlessness of the materials from which the equipment is made;
- safe use of the structure by animals - the drinker should not contain sharp corners and dangerous parts.
Water is essential for the absorption and digestion of feed. Its lack affects digestion, slows down the absorption of nutrients into the blood. Therefore, it is desirable to purchase ready-made structures or make them independently. Buckets and troughs are gradually disappearing from use, as they do not meet sanitary standards. Now the latest equipment is represented by different manufacturers, their models differ in originality and volumes. Clean water received by animals through the drinking bowl has a positive effect on its physiological activity and proper development.
What are the drinkers
As it was said, one of the components for good milk yield and livestock gain is the supply of clean water in sufficient quantity. The type of equipment that will be used depends on the option of keeping animals:
- The group type of drinking bowls for cattle is suitable for places where animals are kept loose. Typically, these are stationary drinkers installed on farms and mobile models intended for watering livestock in grazing.
- Individual. Adapted for those farms where animals are tethered.
- Multilevel. Drinkers are installed for livestock kept at different levels.
In the cold season, animals receive water without any special differences from summer time, but only if the required temperature is maintained in the room. For this, a plastic construction is the best option. In general, the farmer will only benefit if heated drinking bowls for cattle are operated indoors in winter. The comfortable conditions created for the animals will only increase milk yield and contribute to weight gain.
Diy drinking bowl for cows and bulls
In order to competently assemble drinking equipment on your own, you need to take into account the direction of production, age and the approximate rate of water consumption by one animal. The following types of materials are suitable for collecting equipment:
- metal. Drinking bowls are made of stainless steel or galvanized iron, such models are quite strong, but deformed upon impact. The device can be easily washed and disinfected;
- wood. Environmentally friendly material, safe for animals, but short-lived. The manufactured wooden structure is thoroughly cleaned and coated with a non-toxic special product, but after each use it must be dried;
- plastic. Today it is the most popular, profitable, practical material among livestock breeders. The equipment made from it is durable, easy to clean and disinfect;
- brick. Such a structure will stand for a long time, its inner part needs to be plastered and processed to smoothness.
You just need to accurately follow the assembly steps and the drawing.
Metal tank:
- A rectangular iron box is boiled or riveted.
- A faucet is placed on one side or a hinged wall with a rubber seal is made for tight closure. This is to drain the remaining water.
Do-it-yourself plastic drinking bowls for bulls are made as follows:
- a plastic gutter with a rectangular section of 30 cm is purchased;
- the resulting containers are placed on iron legs.
If you wish, you can fold a brick drinker with your own hands for keeping cows:
- from the beginning, they put bricks in the form of a tank;
- then plaster the inner and outer walls with non-toxic materials.
Basically, two types of heating are used by farmers:
- Individual. These tubular electric heaters are efficient and easy to use, but they come at a pretty penny.
- General. The central heating installation is suitable for barns with automated drinkers. By connecting the central heating, already warm water is supplied to the tanks.
It is possible to purchase a ready-made construction with heating.
Advice and guidance from experienced breeders and veterinarians
Farmers who "ate the dog" in cattle breeding know all about the pitfalls of this activity. Any business requires costs and not only material, but also moral and physical. Livestock breeders who have experience in the introduction of such a farm advise:
- decide on the purpose of breeding livestock. Will it be getting milk, meat, young animals;
- choose a site for a future farm or rent ready-made premises;
- organize good care of the herd;
- choose a breed suitable for the climate.
Also, each farmer is obliged to comply with the veterinary conditions for keeping cattle. Rules to follow:
- They enter the barn in overalls and shoes, so the room is protected from street infections.
- Near the animals, they clean up once a day, the product of their vital activity is taken out to the places designated for this.
- After a certain period of time, disinfection from insects and rodents is carried out.
- The feed is stored in a separate room from the barn so it does not absorb unpleasant odors.
- Animals should be supplied with clean, running water.
- Adults are kept separately from the young.
- The veterinarian carries out all the necessary measures and preventive vaccinations to protect the livestock.
By taking into account these important points, the farmer will be able to profit from his occupation much faster.
The supply of clean water, along with vitamins and mineral complexes, to drinking bowls for cattle is an integral part of livestock production for productivity. The choice of design will depend on the number of heads and their needs. Uninterrupted water supply can be done independently by choosing a suitable material for drinking bowls, making them from plastic, metal, brick, wood, everything will depend on the capabilities of the farmer.