Content
Turkeys consume large amounts of liquid. One of the conditions for good development and growth of birds is the constant availability of water in their access zone. Choosing the right waterers for turkeys is not as easy as it seems. Factors such as the age of the birds and their number must be taken into account.
Types of drinkers for turkeys
Regular
A simple container into which water is poured. This can be a basin, tray, bucket or other vessel suitable for birds to drink. Suitable for adult birds. The main condition is to install it at a distance from the floor (put it on an elevation), otherwise particles of litter, droppings and other debris will get into the water.
Pros:
- does not require large financial costs;
- no time is required to make a drinking bowl.
Minuses:
- the need for strict control over the amount of water in the container, which is not always possible, because turkeys can knock over the structure or splash water at any time;
- poor stability;
- not suitable for turkey poults, as they may fall into a container of water.
Grooved
A drinking bowl designed to quench the thirst of several birds at the same time.
Pros:
- does not require large financial costs;
- Several birds can drink from one container at the same time;
- You can easily make a drinking bowl for turkeys with your own hands.
Disadvantage: you need to add and change water.
Cup
Special drinking cups are mounted on the hose. The hose is attached to a water tank. From this container, liquid fills the cups. They fall under the weight of the water and close the valve through which water flows from the hose into the drinking bowl. Birds drink from the cups; they become lighter and, under the action of a built-in spring, rise and open the valve. Water fills the drinkers again, and they again fall under the weight, closing the opening for the flow of liquid. This will happen as long as there is liquid in the reservoir.
Plus: constant control over the amount of water in the sippy cup is not required.
Minuses:
- installing a sippy cup of this type requires financial costs;
- additional protection of the structure is necessary so that heavy birds cannot land on the pipe and break it.
Bell type
The principle of filling with water is the same as with cups: under the weight of the liquid, the container lowers, the water supply valve closes and vice versa. The difference is that the water does not flow into different cups, but into one tray along the dome.
Plus: the same as the cup one.
Minus: financial costs of acquisition.
Nipple
The installation process is the same as for cup ones. The difference is that water does not fill the cup containers, but is retained by a nipple with a movable cone at the end. Water begins to flow out of it when the turkey drinks - with its beak it causes the cone to move (the principle of operation is the same as that of a hand washbasin). A drip tray is attached under the nipples to prevent excess liquid from falling onto the floor.
Pros:
- water does not stagnate;
- no constant control over the amount of water in the drinking bowl is required;
- the liquid is clearly dosed to suit the requirements of each turkey.
Cons: the same as cup ones.
Vacuum
It is a container placed on a tray from which turkeys will drink water. Liquid is poured from above. Below, at a certain level, a hole is made to allow water to flow into the drinking bowl. The water in the cup does not overflow due to the created vacuum, but is topped up as it is empty, i.e. always on the same level.
Pros:
- no constant control over the amount of water in the drinking bowl is required;
- easy to make - you can do it yourself.
Minus: insufficient stability - turkeys can easily turn the container over.
General requirements for installing drinkers for turkeys
First and foremost, turkey drinkers should be easy for the birds to use. They need to be located so that turkeys have unhindered access to water around the clock.
The liquid must be clean. To do this, the structure is installed at the height of the turkey’s back. The water must be changed periodically to ensure it is always fresh. Containers should be easy to clean and disinfect.
Turkeys are large and strong birds, so durable drinkers should be installed. These birds are also individualists. The ideal option would be to organize a watering hole in such a way that each bird uses its own drinking bowl. Otherwise, fights are possible, even to the point of seriously injuring each other.
There should be different sized structures for turkey poults and adult birds. It is important to choose a drinking bowl so that turkeys cannot splash or spill water from the tank, otherwise there is a risk that the birds will get wet and get cold.
When it's hot, turkeys may turn over their waterers to cool off.To avoid this, you can install containers with water for bird bathing in the summer.
To prevent this from happening, you should put a wooden circle in the water, in which you first need to cut several holes (3-4 pieces). Turkeys will drink water through them. The wood will float on the surface and prevent the water from freezing.
For newborn turkey poults, it is better not to install nipple drinkers, because the babies will have to make additional efforts to drink from them.
You can buy a structure for a watering hole or make it yourself. Each type has its own pros and cons, so before purchasing or designing, you should carefully consider and weigh everything.
Drinking bowls that you can make yourself (video review)
- Grooved plastic plumbing pipe:
- Vacuum from a plastic bottle:
- Nipple (composite video):
- Kolokolnaya:
- Cup:
Conclusion
If we take into account all the requirements for organizing a watering place for turkeys, the birds will receive the required volume of liquid, which will have a positive effect on their development and growth.
