The range of Poultry products on offer can be quite daunting, here we focus on the most commonly required products and decipher the differences for you. The best products for you will be determined by your set up and how hands on or off you need to be.
There is a myriad of poultry drinkers to choose from. Keeping the water clean, fresh and always available is the key. Drinkers are generally either made from plastic or metal. Plastic is lightweight and easier on the wallet. Metal is more durable, UV resistant and less porous to bacteria. It is also heat tolerant when cleaning (doesn't deform) and doesn't' absorb odours or stains.. There are also drinkers that are eco-friendly, 100% recycled or bioplastic such as beetroot and sugarcane polymers.
Here we break it into the two most common types – gravity fed (you fill it up as required), and auto fill (attached to a water supply). Both types can also be “auto drinkers” where the chickens can draw down the water as they require – meaning the water stays clean until required.
These are the most common due to their affordability and come in a variety of sizes. They can either sit directly on the ground, be on short legs or be hung. They are generally filled upside down, the base placed on and turned upright. Air pressure supports the water column. As water is taken from the dish, air enters the chamber and water is let out. These drinkers are easy to set up, in expensive and often semi-transparent so you can check the water easily.
Gravity drinkers generally fall into two shapes - Ball & Straight Drinkers. Straight drinkers allow the birds to drink without having to duck under the bulge of the water container. The bowl is also wider, allowing more drinking space – suitable for larger birds. Ball drinkers prevent chicks from standing or bathing in the troughs. The drinkers are generally made of plastic and recyclable.
The smaller models use a simple press-fit into the base and the larger models have a twist and lock for positive attachment. They are easy to carry and shift using the handles attached. The larger models have a flat top so that you can stand them upright when filling. The come with or without legs (foldaway). When the legs are folded away, the water is easier to reach, when the legs are in use, they Legs keep the unit higher off they keep the unit of the ground so there is less chance of contamination from scratching. The handle can also be used to suspend the drinkers and keep them off the ground.
Chic'a drinkers are a straight style that is 100%-eco-friendly. Made entirely from sugar cane and beetroot polymers plus natural dyes. 100% natural and recyclable. They have no petroleum derivatives, no carbon footprint, are Carbon positive and ultraviolet stable. They come with or without legs.
100% recycled plastic drinkers are straight drinkers with bayonet-fit base and suspension handle. Note that colour can vary - dependent on raw material available. 1 drinker is produced from 50 bottles!
Nipple/droppers are set into the base of a bucket filled with water. The birds learn to peck at the nipple dropper to get water. They are recommended for adult birds, keep water clean and fresh, are reasonably priced and help prevent wasted water.
The Drink-o-matic nipple bucket is suspended using the cord and lock device supplied. The three nipples are then easily operated by various-size chicks or poultry, at the required height. The stainless steel nipples are good quality and function with light pressure. Stainless steel handle. The bucket is UV-stable. Easy to clean and fill. They allow the chickens to drink without wasting any water and keep the remaining water clean.
The Drinking cup is inserted into the base of a bucket, or container or plastic pipe. The drinking cups work with a float. The cup fills with water and as the arm starts to float, the supply is shut off. They are easy to clean and provide consistent clean water. Small and large sizes available.
Chick dropper is a compact drinking bottle ideal for very small chicks. This is an easy to refill container, thanks to its hinged cover. The leak-free nipple keeps the litter clean and dry and reduces waste. The stainless steel 360° drinking nipple functions when touched from side or tip. The bottle can be attached to almost any cage or pen, inside or outside, and can be height-adjusted as chicks grow.
Tank stands 20-40L are generally for larger numbers of poultry and suitable for bigger breeds, with a raised bowl for hygiene. They are easy to fil, carry and clean. Generally made of UV stabilised plastic which is semi transparent to view water level, or longer lasting galvanised zinc. The Auto filling will save you time and effort, they last a long tyime and are raised off the ground for hygiene. They auto-fill can freeze during cold winters.
Autofill Crown drinkers are attached to a water supply (header tank or low pressure supply – not mains pressure) via 1.5m delivery tube with standard crown float assembly and pipe connector. The 'Converter' is the answer to watering various-age chicks with the same device. It can be set up with a low roof, legs folded under and an anti-drown ring which serves to reduce the depth of water to prevent chicks drowning. For older chicks the drown-ring is removed, the extendable legs are folded out, and a tank extension is added to lift the roof to a more suitable height. This all makes the Converter a very versatile drinker. A handy clip on the roof secures the delivery tube out of the water.
Water troughs can be automatic or manual. The automatic ones are typically connected to a hose and will refill automatically once the water reaches a certain level. Some are better thought out than others and offer drinking ports rather than an open trough. Troughs are Ideal for smaller chickens such as bantams. They do need to be kept clean as they can get contaminated with debris. It is a more expensive outlay, but they are very durable and the auto filling will save you time and effort.
