There are many types of drinkers for domestic quails. They differ in design, methods of use and the ability to apply additional functions. Drinkers are purchased in specialized stores or made independently. Quail breeding has become a popular business, and for it to be profitable, it is necessary to approach the issue of watering competently.
Requirements for drinking bowls for quails
Before purchasing or making a container for drinking quails yourself, you need to familiarize yourself with the requirements that drinking bowls must have.First of all, the structure requires stability, because quails are active birds. That is why even young animals do not need to put ordinary saucers with water in their cage - it will not be difficult for them to turn them over.
Other requirements include:
- protection against rapid clogging (litter, food debris, feathers) in the form of a grille or protective fence;
- ease of maintenance;
- free access of birds to water;
- hygienic, environmentally friendly material that is easy to process;
- safety - the bird should not fall into the container under any circumstances while drinking.
The dimensions of the structure should be taken into account. The size is calculated based on the total number of quails and moisture consumption standards. An adult quail drinks up to 100 ml of water per day, but in the hot season the amount of liquid drunk increases to 200 ml. Calculation of the size is necessary so that the quails do not crowd around the drinker, and the farmer does not replenish the water container several times a day.
Types of structures
Liquid supply methods are varied. The most popular types of drinking systems are:
- vacuum - more suitable for large poultry farms, and the operation of such a system is based on delivering moisture to birds into cages under pressure, and it is indispensable when keeping quails on the floor;
- nipple (drip) drinkers function like a washstand, water is available to the birds as soon as some pressure is applied to a special valve;
- open devices are the simplest designs, but they quickly become dirty and are quite unstable;
- cups (there are also microcups, used for young individuals), consist of an element with the help of which the delivery of liquid to the drinking system is regulated.
When choosing a design suitable for poultry, experienced farmers choose a safe device.
How to make a drinking bowl yourself
Before making a drinking bowl, you should decide in advance on the volume, dimensions, and material. It is equally important to understand where the device will be placed.
Open
Open drinking systems are often made from a regular plastic bottle. The moisture supply method used in this design is suitable for young quails and adults. For production you need:
- Cut the bottle of the required size into exactly two parts.
- In the part where the bottom is, make small round holes. The quails' heads should fit freely through them.
- Bend down a small side below these holes.
- In the place where there is a thread on the second part of the bottle, cut out wedges.
- Turn the bottle down and insert it into the second part.
As a container, you can choose a metal container, for example, a tin can. One end of it should be in the cage with the birds, and the other outside it, just like a bottle of water.
Cup
To make your own cup design, you will need a suitable plastic food container with a capacity of up to 250 ml. Step-by-step manufacturing instructions are as follows:
- Use self-tapping screws to make fasteners to create a horizontal hole for moving the container.
- Insert a plug into a fragment of a plastic pipe (about 20 cm) and drill a hole 2 cm in diameter.
- Slots are required to secure the axle in the pipe. After installation in the cage, close the top of the pipe with a plug.
- Install the spring and attach the gasket to the bowl fastener.
- A bowl is installed on the axis.
- Secure the end of the pipe to a tank of water.
If necessary, you can make several bowls by connecting the tubes from them to a common pipe that leads to a tank of water.
Nipple
Nipple, or drip, devices are made of a cylinder with a valve and a metal rod. They are placed inside the cage, and to prevent moisture from getting onto the floor, special drip eliminators are needed. Manufacturing algorithm:
- Make holes along the plastic pipe. Nipples should be screwed into them. You will also need holes for connecting to the pipe that is needed to deliver water.
- Cover the pipe with plugs on both sides. Next, secure it.
- Attach the nipples.
- Connect the structure to a common tank or water supply.
- Connect a drip catcher and a sensor to regulate water pressure.
Nipple drinkers are required for poultry houses with a large number of birds. With their help it is easy to calculate the daily water requirement. Additionally, medications and vitamin preparations can be added there.
Vacuum
A homemade vacuum drinking structure can only be partially manufactured. The lower part of the device must be purchased. The main part is a suitable plastic tray. There is a fastener in the middle under the can or bottle. To fill it with moisture in the container, a slight pressure is needed. It can be obtained by screwing the tray onto the container and then turning it over. Water enters the bowl only when needed.
Autonomous
The automatic drinker is based on an automated operating principle. The main advantage of such a drinking bowl is the supply of water without outside participation. Uninterrupted operation is ensured by an automatic device with a float.The following materials are needed for making: a wine cork, a small piece of foam plastic, a soft rubber tube, a nail, an eraser, a ballpoint pen body and a metal wire.
You need to make a drinking bowl in the following sequence:
- Bend the wire and loosely screw it onto the nail, making a couple of turns on both sides.
- Insert a piece of eraser into the loop, cutting off the excess parts.
- Attach a section of the soft tube to the surface of the plastic.
- Insert the ends of the wire into the holes of the plug.
After making the float, start making the drinker:
- Attach foam plastic to the pipe, cutting it along the contour, and make a hole in the walls.
- Cut two pieces of 0.5 cm each from a ballpoint pen - they will serve as limiters.
- Pass a nail through the hole, place one part of the handle body on it, then the float and the other part.
- The hole made in the foam must match the diameter of the handle body. Cut 7 cm from it and insert it into polystyrene foam.
- Connect a tube to the body that will supply water from the tank.
As the bird drinks the water, its level decreases, the float, lowering, opens the hole in the water supply. Next, a new portion of water is filled.
Where to place
When installing a drinking bowl for quails, they follow some rules. It is not recommended to place the structure near feeders, or in the center of the room where the birds are kept. The drinking system for adult quails should be located as far as possible from drinking bowls for young birds. The cage system is installed in the corners so that active birds cannot knock it over.
