What drinking bowls are suitable for ducklings? Review of duck drinkers and instructions for making them. Preparing the drinker for use
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When planning to breed ducklings and goslings, you need to familiarize yourself with all the information regarding their growth and development. You need to take care of regular balanced meals and ensure an organized drinking regime. You will need feeders and drinkers, which are sold in specialized stores.
If the poultry house has more than a dozen birds, you need to take care of a sufficient number of feeders and drinkers and the purity of the water in them.
DIY drinking bowl for ducklings
You can buy such equipment for a poultry house, but you can try to make it yourself. Since a duck is considered a waterfowl, the requirements for installing a drinking bowl are: special requirements. The bird will be healthy and will develop normally if the drinking bowl for it is arranged correctly.
Duck drinker - design requirements
Ducks drink a lot of water, more than eats food. Therefore, she must have constant access to water. If a bird eats dry food, then for better digestion it will regularly moisten it.
The duck is not a very neat bird; it likes to flounder in the water. If the drinking bowl is open, the bird will climb into it with its paws to bathe. As a result, the water will quickly become clogged and the litter will quickly become wet. And the bird kept in such conditions may get sick and die.
If we consider a drinker for ducks, then it, like a feeder, should be:
- comfortable;
- located at the required height (for small ducklings and for adult birds this height is different);
- closed to prevent various debris from getting into it;
- water must be constantly clean and never run out;
- The container will need to be washed periodically, so its design needs to be thought through carefully.
Types of drinking bowls
Depending on the size of the gosling, as well as on the employment of each family member, drinking bowls are selected. Of course, if we talk about the whole farm, then everything should be automated, since no one will run after every overturned can.
Drinkers come in simple designs, nipple and vacuum. Let's consider each option in detail.
Simple drinking bowl
In fact, these include containers such as buckets, basins, bowls and other containers that are available and no longer needed in the kitchen. But they have a number of disadvantages:
Making a simple drinker
It requires a PVC pipe with a diameter of 110 or 200 mm. Using a drill or jigsaw, you need to make several holes in it along the length, the size of which can be 6x8 cm, 7x7 cm, 8x10 cm, etc. . Bends must be installed on both sides of the pipe, through which it will be convenient to pour and drain water into the drinking bowl.
Using special brackets, this structure must be attached to the wall. Buy required material for such a drinking bowl, you can go to a specialized hardware store. It should be noted that a do-it-yourself drinking bowl for goslings is made in the same way.
Nipple drinker - how to make it
This type of drinker is considered the most convenient for poultry and for the farmer. It is also called the nipple. The design of this type of drinking bowl will be the most complex of all homemade structures. To make it you will need the following materials:
If you regularly make feeders in your home, then everything necessary tools you should have. Namely:
- drill;
- drill, diameter 9 mm;
- tap.
If any of the above is not available, then you need to buy it in a specialized store.
You need to make markings on the pipe where the nipples will be located, and drill holes there, the diameter of which will be 9 mm. Using a tap, cut threads into them and screw in the nipples.
You need to put a plug on one edge of the pipe. Next you need to prepare a water tank. It must have a lid to make it easy to clean. At the bottom of the tank you need to make a hole that should match the diameter of the hose. The second end of the hose must be connected to the pipe. Wrap all joints with Teflon tape to prevent water leakage.
Micro bowls must be secured under the nipples on the pipe if the nipple is 1800; or drip eliminators, if the nipple is at 3600. Next, a vessel with water is installed, followed by a tube with nipples. It should be installed at a height that is comfortable for the ducklings.
It must be remembered that the water tank is installed at a height slightly higher than the pipe with nipples. It is advisable to install it indoors so that winter time the water in it did not freeze. Here you go, DIY duck drinking bowl is ready!
Vacuum drinker
Its design is very simple, and in use it is no worse than the nipple design. The simplest model can be made from plastic bottle and a small tray. A special tray can be bought at a specialty store, or you can adapt any other one you have in the household.
With wire or metal profiles, from which the frame will be made, attach the bottle to the wall. Fill it with water, close the lid, and place it upside down in the frame. The prepared pallet is installed under the bottle like this: so that there is a small distance between the bottom of the tray and the neck of the bottle. It is necessary to ensure that the sides of the tray are higher than the neck of the bottle. In this state, the cap of the bottle is unscrewed, the tray is filled with water, and as it is drunk, it comes out of the bottle into the tray.
When using such a drinker, you need to monitor the presence of water in the bottle. The design is considered very convenient, since there will always be clean and fresh water in the drinking bowl.
How to make a vacuum drinker with your own hands
For the container, you can use any container, up to 40 liters. But it's better to count on large quantity drinking bowls than installing one, but larger one. This calculation is wrong.
So, we select a five-liter water bottle, and select a container for it where the water will collect. The ducklings will have to drink water from this container, so it should be in good condition, without burrs or rust.
The bottle should stand well in the container. Now you need to make a hole in the bottle through which water will flow into the drinking container. The hole is made with a soldering iron or a hot nail; just one will be enough.
Determining at what height from the bottom of the bottle the hole will be is quite simple. You need to first install the bottle in the basin, but the hole should be located just below the sides of the basin. This will allow water, if there is not enough of it in the drinking bowl, to flow out of the bottle.
If we talk about the number of holes, then it will be enough to do only one thing. Firstly, it will be quite enough, and secondly: it will be convenient to fill the bottle with water and carry it, tilting it so that the hole is at the top.
This is such a stable and not small drinking bowl. It will be much better than any purchased option. The feeder may be located next to her.
If you have a nipple drinker installed, then to prevent the water in the tank from freezing in winter, you need to place an aquarium heater in it.
Learn to drink water The bird does not need to come out of the nipple drinker. When she sees a drop of water, she will intuitively press the nipple with her beak, thereby receiving a certain portion of liquid. She will find the feeder herself.
Experts recommend calculating the number of drinking nipples based on the number of ducks on the farm. The optimal load on one nipple is considered to be ten heads of ducks. If there are 45 heads on the farm, then the nipple drinker should be made with 5 nipples.
It is very important for little ducklings to immerse their entire head in water so that they can clear their nasal passages and cope with the heat. Therefore, e if you are raising young animals, then you need to install additional drinking containers that will be deeper than usual, but narrower.
Duck breeding is becoming increasingly popular. The fact is that these birds do not require complex care and are unpretentious in food, but their meat and eggs are very valuable because of the vitamins and microelements they contain that are beneficial for human body. In addition, duck meat is one of the favorite products among gourmets and is often served as a traditional holiday dish.
Duck goes well with vegetables and fruits; it is especially tasty if baked and served with various sauces. But let's return to our topic. It is very important when raising ducks to create good conditions. And one of them is the constant availability of clean drinking water. Where and how to pour drinking water? What does a do-it-yourself drinking bowl for ducklings look like? How to quickly and correctly make a drinking bowl for ducklings at home?
The most popular are nipple drinkers for ducks. Water is supplied to them as needed, the bird can always drink, but it will not be able to climb in and dirty the water. So, let's look at the device in more detail.
In order to make drinking bowls for ducklings with our own hands, we will need:
- the nipples themselves, a polyvinyl chloride pipe (a square-shaped PVC pipe is best),
- capacity,
- drip eliminators,
- microbowl drinkers,
- plugs,
- brackets,
- adapters,
- clamps (you can buy them, or you can make them yourself),
- hose,
- drill,
- drill,
- roulette,
- marker writing on PVC.
All this can be found in almost any hardware or construction store. And, of course, it will be difficult to do without concentration and patience.
Drinker manufacturing technology
First of all, you should think about the length of the entire structure, how many nipples will be needed, and at what distance from each other it is better to place the microbowls. After the calculations you should:
- Make marks on the pipe with a marker where the nipples will be located (water will flow after the duck presses their beak on them). The most good distance between them - 40-45 cm.
- Next, you need to carefully make small holes according to the marks. Nipples are screwed into each hole. A plug is placed on one end, and a pre-prepared hose is attached to the other end.
- A drop catcher or micro-bowl is placed on each nipple. Connect the drinking bowl to a pre-prepared container (it can be any tank). To do this you will need an adapter and clamps.
Checking out the miracle device. Now you can secure the drinker in the duck house. Everything is very easy to do at home. The work process itself can be seen in the video.
Nipple drinkers for ducks, made conscientiously with your own hands, usually last a long time and are very convenient. They are also suitable for Indian ducks. By working on his own, every poultry farmer is able to adjust the drinker to his liking. As we see, the nipple drinker has a lot of advantages.
Making a drinking bowl from a plastic bottle
You can make a drinking bowl with your own hands from an ordinary plastic bottle. Such a drinking bowl is very budget-friendly, since it does not require the cost of materials (plastic bottles are available in any household) and expensive instruments. You can see how to make a water bottle for ducklings from a plastic bottle in the video below. For this, as a rule, two-liter or five-liter bottles are used. Let's look at it step by step:
- Take a plastic bottle and cut a hole in it with a knife at a height of about 15 cm from the base.
- Pour water into the bottle and close the holes tightly so that the water does not spill out.
- We place the bottle in the bowl in such a position that when the hole is open, water flows out of the bottle to it. Such a drinking bowl will be filled as the water decreases. Birds will not be left without drinking water.
Also, to make drinking bowls for ducks and other poultry, in addition to a plastic bottle, various plastic bowls are often used, but they have many disadvantages. Homemade feeders and waterers for ducks are very common on farms. If they are made correctly, they will last a long time. In addition, some people like to make things with their own hands and believe that such things carry a special energy.
We already know what and how duck drinking bowls are made from, now let’s focus on feeders. Ducks eat often and a lot, but they can get their paws into the bowl and stain the food; in addition, feeders need to be disinfected periodically. So, from what material is it better to make feeders for ducklings with your own hands? Wooden planks and blocks are perfect for this purpose.
As a rule, feeders are made in the form of small troughs. These feeders are great for both dry food and various mash. It is very important to calculate right size to prevent birds from turning over the feeders and getting their paws into them. Perhaps this is the basic rule. The optimal depth of the feeder for adult ducks is about 25 cm, and the length is about a meter. Such a feeder will be more convenient and it will be more difficult for the bird to turn it over. If possible, then several compartments should be made in such a feeder; this is very convenient, because different food can be placed in each of them.
Preparing the drinker for use
If for some reason you don’t want to make water bowls and feeders for ducklings with your own hands, then you can always buy them in a specialized store for farmers and gardeners. The store will also help you choose good automatic waterers for ducklings. In the photo you can see what the automatic drinking bowl looks like. Manufacturers of drinkers and feeders are different, and prices, accordingly, too. When purchasing, you must not forget to make sure that it is safe; the material should not be toxic.
Any feeders and drinking bowls must be disinfected before use. Water and food for ducklings should be clean and fresh. Leftovers old water and feed must be removed, the health of the birds depends on this. Another factor is the importance balanced nutrition, should be entered in in the right order products so that birds do not have problems with the stomach and intestines. Create ducks favorable conditions accommodation means ensuring their productivity.
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.
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
Benefits deep container under water 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 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 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
Necessary 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 in each marked rectangle (for adult ducks its length can be 15-18 cm with a width of 8-10 cm) we drill two holes diagonally (in the corners).
- 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).
- We assemble the structure by closing one side with a plug, putting the elbow on the other and installing the pipe on the stand.
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.
Nipple drinker
Necessary 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 use a conical tap to 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.
- Then 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 water leaks).
- The second edge of the hoses 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, compared to previous versions drinkers, nipple - the most difficult, 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 by and large Any of the above options is not particularly difficult to implement, but in the 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.
- The most accurate shape of the bird's head will be conveyed by a foam piece, which is subsequently painted in the desired colors. It is quite difficult to make, it will require certain skills.
- To give shape individual details use polyurethane foam.
- Depending on the shape of the chosen bird, the legs are made from plastic pipes or bottles left over from dairy products. This plastic is more dense; various configurations allow you to accurately convey the shape of the bird’s thighs.
- Twine will help give the bird's legs a natural look; a corrugated pipe can be useful for finishing the legs.
- Compound individual elements Birds communicate with 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, plastic bottles before starting creative process Wash thoroughly, remove remaining labels and glue. 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 be patient 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. The decorative effect is achieved through bright colors.
Chick
You can make chicken different 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. The average 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.
- On final stage eyes are drawn on the chicken.
It will help to give the composition originality sly Fox from a plastic container that was hiding not far from the chicken.
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
Even more ways 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 the formation of the plumage begins from the bottom up or from the back to the front so that top element covered 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.
It is usually based on plastic canister volume 10 l. For legs you will need PVC pipes, 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 is to paint the exotic bird brightly. pink color. 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 empennage 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 ponytail, 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 made entirely 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.
- A lot of plastic containers for plumage.
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 are drawn or attached small parts 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 the proportions will bring it as close as possible decorative figure 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. Plastic tube at the top is complemented by bottles fixed with the neck down, bottom part crowned with paws twisted from wire and wrapped with twine.
When to dye depends on the color of the bird. A plain figure can be covered 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 used for manufacturing sewage 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 a drinking bowl, 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 instruction:
- 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 instruction:
- 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, using IR lamps is 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 instruction:
- 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 tray 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;
- crosshead screwdriver.
Step-by-step instruction:
- 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 instruction:
- 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 summer maintenance in enclosures of several species of birds and animals 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.
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 natural filler For outerwear, blankets and pillows, and the droppings of these birds are used as fertilizer.
Due to their specific taste, duck eggs are not eaten as food, but they are useful for incubating 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 speed dial weight. 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 nutrition; 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 qualities, and it is 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 building can be converted into a poultry house utility room, the main thing is that it is dry, well ventilated and sufficiently lit. If you plan to keep a small (up to 10 head) flock, you can set up a duck pen in a room where other poultry or livestock are kept. If a duck shelter is being built separate room, then it is advisable to choose a place on the south side, on a slight hill. The ground under the duckling house should be dry, 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
Can be adapted to nests wooden boxes or pallets or knock them down from plywood yourself. 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 for 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 pour 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 coop with electricity, they are mounted on the wall at a height of 2 m. LED bulbs blue spectrum with a power of 50 W. 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. Hopper models that provide feed dosage are also a convenient option. 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 are considered the most convenient, providing automatic feeding water. 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 shaped in order to achieve good 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.
Kira Stoletova
Large and small ducks love to drink water. It is important for people who breed birds to provide their birds with regular and clean water. A do-it-yourself drinking bowl for ducklings is very simple to make, but it must be multifunctional. The materials for the drinking bowl device are chosen to be durable and safe. There should be no inconvenience with cleaning and replacing water. You can make a drinking bowl for ducks with your own hands, taking into account the features and differences between devices for birds of different ages.
Requirements for drinking bowls for ducks
Proper care of poultry cannot be achieved without a water bowl and feeder. To make or buy the right waterer for ducks and ducklings, you need to consider the following factors:
- Duck flock size. Ducks drink a lot, so it is necessary that the drinker completely covers their fluid needs. A large flock requires several adaptations.
- Design. Ducks are waterfowl and will definitely want to get into the container and swim. It is necessary to provide a design that is inconvenient for swimming. It is necessary to make a narrow and deep drinking bowl so that the birds can completely lower their heads there on hot days.
- Convenient cleaning and disinfection. For convenient replacement of liquid and cleaning the walls of the drinking bowl, the narrow and deep design must also be compact.
It is important for ducklings to have a round-the-clock supply of drinking water. Drinkers need to be filled regularly. If the number of birds is large, simple designs made from improvised materials are suitable. When the flock is large, the best option for it is an automatic waterer. When breeding Indian ducks, the requirements for devices are the same.
Drinking bowls from scrap items
Most often, farmers use simple improvised items as drinking and feeding devices:
- small buckets covered with enamel;
- basins;
- bowls made of metal and plastic.
The main advantages of such drinking bowls are low cost and simplicity. No need to fool yourself: put a trough, pour water, and let them drink. But there are many more disadvantages:
- Ducks will constantly try to get into the big one. open design, introducing dust and traces of droppings into the water.
- Birds can easily knock over the drinker.
- Water will splash easily when drinking. When not enough high temperature air, birds can catch colds.
Elementary homemade feeders create a lot of problems for the owner of a flock of ducks. You will have to change the water more often and constantly monitor the birds. Simple drinkers are only suitable for very small ducklings. For older birds, it is better to install more complex devices.
Automatic drinkers for ducks
You can buy a good waterer for ducklings in a special store or make it yourself. The most common types of devices:
- nipple pipe;
- vacuum drinker.
Making a nipple drinker for ducklings with your own hands is the most difficult thing to assemble, but this is the most convenient device. Vacuum drinkers are not much inferior in characteristics to nipple drinkers, but making them at home is much easier. Do-it-yourself vacuum feeders are often made from a large plastic bottle.
Complex watering devices have a number of advantages. The water inside is always clean and does not splash. It is easy to ensure a continuous supply of drink. You can make an automatic drinker yourself by watching a detailed video.
Nipple drinker
Nipple drinkers for ducks are very popular. These are the most convenient designs for breeders who have numerous flocks.
- The design of the nipple (nipple) feeder is a pipe that is filled with water.
- Small outlet tubes are connected to the pipe, through which water flows out.
- Ducks can drink directly from tubes, but more often the liquid is piped into small hanging cups.
A DIY nipple drinker for ducklings provides an automatic and continuous supply of drink; it is suitable for birds of any age.
What is needed to install a nipple drinker
Setting up a nipple device for a watering hole at home is difficult, but possible. At self-production The construction will need materials:
- Nipples. The parameters of the parts depend on the age of the birds. In “younger” drinkers, a nipple of 3600 is used, for older ducks - 1800, which operates from top to bottom movement.
- Square pipe with grooves inside. The length of the pipe is selected taking into account the number of nipples and minimum distance between them, which should be equal to 30 cm. The number of nipples depends on the size of the flock.
- Microbowls, drip eliminators.
- Muffler for pipe.
- Connector for square and round pipe.
- Inlet tube and fluid reservoir ( plastic container with a cover), if the device is not planned to be connected to a central water supply.
- Sealing material.
- Drill (9 mm drill bit).
- Threaded tap.
You can start constructing the device only when all the details are prepared. If something is missing, the work will be delayed and the quality of the device will be in question.
Making a nipple type drinker
How to make a drinking bowl for ducklings with your own hands? You can make a nipple structure in several stages:
- Marks are made on the pipe for drilling holes, marks at a distance of 30 cm from each other.
- Drill holes in the pipe 9 mm in diameter.
- A thread is made in the holes using a conical tap and the nipples are screwed in.
- Prepare a container for water. At the bottom of the plastic tank, a hole is made to fit the size of the outlet hose. The joints between the hole and the hose are treated with sealing material.
- Drop eliminators (for nipples 3600) and microbowls (for nipples 1800) are installed on the tube under the nipples.
- All areas where there is a risk of water leakage are treated with sealant (feeders do not require such treatment). The pipe is mounted horizontally at a height accessible to the ducks. The fluid reservoir is installed higher above the nipple tube device.
The container must be installed in a warm room so that the liquid in the reservoir does not freeze. If such conditions do not exist, then an aquarium heater can be installed in the tank.
Vacuum drinker from a bottle
Vacuum drinker - simpler, but no less convenient option for watering ducks. This is an insulated reservoir from which water flows into a tray. The drinker is universal; it will be comfortable for ducklings and large ducks to use. At home, it is easy to make such a drinking bowl from plastic containers.
When all the parts are ready, you can start designing. It is important to pay attention to the details, since the uninterrupted operation of the future water supply device depends on their quality and functionality.
The procedure for making a drinking bowl
Constructing a drinking bowl from a plastic bottle with your own hands is as easy as shelling pears. Instructions and videos will help with this:
- Bottle side surface using frame fastenings connected to the wall at a low height.
- Pour liquid into the bottle and screw in the cap.
- A tray is placed under the neck. Place the bowl so that there is a gap between the bottom and the lid of the bottle.
- Unscrew the lid.
A hole is made at the bottom of the bottle to simplify the process of replacing liquid for ducks. Drinking water for the ducks will come from the bottle as the tray is emptied. The liquid will always be clean and fresh.
This device is one of important details for the healthy growth of small ducklings and the life of adult ducks.
Feeders also require attention, but the water device should also be as functional as possible. It is the owner's responsibility to help ducks adapt to the world around them. Birds love to drink, so it is important to provide ducks with a regular supply of water. It is important that the drink is clean. Automatic structures of the required volume can be bought in a store or made with your own hands using simple instructions, photos and videos.
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 drinkers 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.
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 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 a drinking bowl, 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.
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.
- 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, using IR lamps is 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.
- drill;
- drill suitable in diameter to the faucet.
Step-by-step instruction:
- 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 tray 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;
- crosshead screwdriver.
- 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.
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.
- drill;
- drill for 19;
- screws;
- screwdriver
- 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, 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 a 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 has special meaning for 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 need not only a watering place, but also a pond for swimming. U deprived of opportunity When birds bathe, their sebaceous glands and reproductive system begin to work worse, and their immunity decreases. 
Rules for watering ducks:
- the water is clean, fresh, without odor or additives;
- liquid temperature - 9–13 °C;
- water in required volume must be in the house and on the walking area at all times.