Four hole waterer

CollieFlowerWV · #1 12/01/12, 01:21 PM

Anyone have any experience with four hole waterers? We are cross fencing and going to install the waterers, as well. We have narrowed it down to the Behlen or the Mira fount 3354-S. Any one have a prefrence one to the other?

G. Seddon · #2 12/01/12, 02:09 PM

We have Ritchie waterers, 4-hole and 2-hole. I've found the 2-hole is adequate unless you have a lot of cattle; we don't have enough "traffic" to justify the 4-hole ones.

CollieFlowerWV · #3 12/01/12, 02:41 PM

Thanks for the info. How do you like the Ritchie watered? Have you had any problems with them? Right now we only have about 20 head of cattle.

genebo · #4 12/01/12, 03:02 PM

I have a Behlen Frost Free Freedom Fountain 2 holer. I run about 10 Dexter cattle and a dozen goats on it. It has worked flawlessly for 6 years.

I bought it after I saw G. Seddon's waterers and how well they worked.

CollieFlowerWV · #5 12/01/12, 03:10 PM

That's good to hear.

agmantoo · #6 12/01/12, 03:29 PM

I have both Behlen and Ritchie. A two hole of either brand will water 150 head +- with no issues provided they all do not go to water at one time. Ritchie waterers are my choice. If you have a Southern States store that is operated individually, not SS owned, ask if they have any waterers in stock. As 2012 inventory is about to be carried over, you may be able to get a discount.

G. Seddon · #7 12/01/12, 03:58 PM

Haven't had problems with the Ritchie, although if we get a lot of slush, icy snow type stuff, the plastic balls can freeze shut (we don't have heaters in ours). I kick them open with my boot or a piece of 2x4.

If you go with a different brand, be careful of using anything with metal on it because that can heat up big time if out in the summer sun and animals will burn themselves.

CollieFlowerWV · #8 12/01/12, 05:09 PM

Thank you everyone for the good advice.

ycanchu2 · #9 12/03/12, 10:43 AM

I have a behlen and some Ritchie waterers. The Ritchie floats are easier to push down for small calves than the big ball floats of the Behlen. Also maintenance is much easier for the Ritchie......to acces the guts of it you just lift out the cover......where as the others you got to get a wrench and do all that to get in to it......which isn;t fun when it is cold outside.

CollieFlowerWV · #10 12/03/12, 01:11 PM

The Ritchie sounds a lot easier to maintain. Thanks.
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