How to keep water clean?!

wberry85 · #1 07/27/14, 01:10 PM

I have tried a 30 gal trough. All they have to do is stick their nose in it a couple of times and it turns to mud. Doesnt help they jump in it and roll around.

Tried a pressure waterer. They rub on it and such and that soon becomes mud.

Does it even matter? When they have clean water 5 ft away and they wuld rather just drink out of a wallow they just peed in, it makes me wonder if cleaning their water 3 times a day is even necessary...

ben70b · #2 07/27/14, 01:25 PM

I know the feeling,I still like to keep fresh water available so they have the option

loggerbud · #3 07/27/14, 04:40 PM

Maybe try a water nipple. I have no problem with mine getting it dirty

njenner · #4 07/27/14, 04:41 PM

Hubby built a wooden top for the water trough and left a corner cut out so they can get their face in and big enough for the cows but they can't climb in (which they had done at least half-way). It's made a HUGE difference because they used to stick their front feet in it and it was filthy within a day or two. They also have a nipple drinker but they'd rather drink from what was supposed to be the cow's water trough so they don't use it unless we lock them in "their" space.

We were also having trouble with algae so he built a shade which also helps with keeping the water cool in our hotter than hades summer (only 104 today).

cooper101 · #5 07/28/14, 01:05 PM

Nipple waterers made from plastic barrels work great. They freeze up in the winter, but work great for summer.

slingshot · #6 07/28/14, 04:44 PM

We use the nipple....

ImageUploadedByHomesteading Today1406583635.937872.jpg

It works great, and they always have clean fresh water. Best part they can't tip it over, I put up a small stall and drilled holes through the wall and it's ratchet strapped to the corner.

The fill is on the other side the wall so you can fill it from outside the pen. We do the food this way too. ImageUploadedByHomesteading Today1406583839.367103.jpg

CCLefty · #7 07/28/14, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooper101

Nipple waterers made from plastic barrels work great. They freeze up in the winter, but work great for summer.

I second this idea.

Also a thought, I ferment my feed and fill one slop bucket with the ferment liquid. Most likely I'm feeding them a low quality, low alcohol beer, but they love it.

I do believe most of their liquid intake is from the ferment liquid. Currently my two 8 week old feeders will suck down 2 gallons in a few short hours. It doesn't stick around long enough to get dirty!

pig1 · #8 07/29/14, 06:26 PM

Slingshot where did you get that style nipple?

slingshot · #9 07/29/14, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pig1

Slingshot where did you get that style nipple?

eBay....

There's a guy that sells them on there.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321457712687

slingshot · #10 07/29/14, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pig1

Slingshot where did you get that style nipple?

Lol sorry wrong waterer....

The hog nipple I got at tractor supply, I don't know the name buy it's the only one they carry

krenee · #11 08/03/14, 10:31 PM

You can get them on Amazon for a few $ a piece.

razorbackmac · #12 08/04/14, 04:20 AM

Has anyone else used the cup type waterers? I have a Trojan 33 cup waterer and I suppose it works ok. I think the nipple type would work better as the cup collects mud from their faces as they use it. I feel like I am committed to the cup type due to the amount invested. The waterer itself was a present so I didn't have to pay for it ($40) but I soon found out that it didn't work for me due to only having gravity pressure from my tank. The Trojan model 33 comes with a 393 valve that is not adjustable and requires 40-80 psi but they do sell a 290 gravity valve for the low low price of $45 for people in my situation. I bit the bullet and went for it and now everything is functional. I'd still like to get a nipple instead but does anyone have ideas about mounting it to a t-post or hog panels? I'd really like to avoid putting a hole in my 275 gallon tank if possible.

wberry85 · #13 08/04/14, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by razorbackmac

Has anyone else used the cup type waterers? I have a Trojan 33 cup waterer and I suppose it works ok. I think the nipple type would work better as the cup collects mud from their faces as they use it. I feel like I am committed to the cup type due to the amount invested. The waterer itself was a present so I didn't have to pay for it ($40) but I soon found out that it didn't work for me due to only having gravity pressure from my tank. The Trojan model 33 comes with a 393 valve that is not adjustable and requires 40-80 psi but they do sell a 290 gravity valve for the low low price of $45 for people in my situation. I bit the bullet and went for it and now everything is functional. I'd still like to get a nipple instead but does anyone have ideas about mounting it to a t-post or hog panels? I'd really like to avoid putting a hole in my 275 gallon tank if possible.

I put $50 into my cup waterer as well. It was much smaller than I thought and yes it is caked in mud and useless. I am mad I spent so much on it but I just chalk it up to the price of education.

Suzyq2u · #14 08/04/14, 03:09 PM

Thanks! Going to try the nipple from TS when we head up there next time.

Philosaw · #15 08/04/14, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by razorbackmac

Has anyone else used the cup type waterers? I have a Trojan 33 cup waterer and I suppose it works ok. I think the nipple type would work better as the cup collects mud from their faces as they use it. I feel like I am committed to the cup type due to the amount invested. The waterer itself was a present so I didn't have to pay for it ($40) but I soon found out that it didn't work for me due to only having gravity pressure from my tank. The Trojan model 33 comes with a 393 valve that is not adjustable and requires 40-80 psi but they do sell a 290 gravity valve for the low low price of $45 for people in my situation. I bit the bullet and went for it and now everything is functional. I'd still like to get a nipple instead but does anyone have ideas about mounting it to a t-post or hog panels? I'd really like to avoid putting a hole in my 275 gallon tank if possible.

We use nipples exclusively as we are in a moderate climate zone where freezing is not usual. To mount to a t- post I would run the pipe underground to the pipe, then run it up the post in 1/2" galvanized pie and strap it to the post. An elbow and a nipple at the top and you're done. If you freeze, then run it up the backside of the post, outside the fence and then through the fence along the side of the post and strap it. This will allow you to insulate the pipe where the insulation is out of reach of your pigs.

razorbackmac · #16 08/05/14, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philosaw

We use nipples exclusively as we are in a moderate climate zone where freezing is not usual. To mount to a t- post I would run the pipe underground to the pipe, then run it up the post in 1/2" galvanized pie and strap it to the post. An elbow and a nipple at the top and you're done. If you freeze, then run it up the backside of the post, outside the fence and then through the fence along the side of the post and strap it. This will allow you to insulate the pipe where the insulation is out of reach of your pigs.

What kind of connection do the nipple waters have? Right now, I have a series of fittings and connectors to make a water hose attach to the 275 gallon tank and then more fittings and connectors to the waterer. I sure would like something to be simple for a change. I have never had animals before so I'm going to have to learn as I go this winter when it comes to freezing. We had a water pipe to the house burst a few years ago so freezing might be an issue at some point. Without being told, I wouldn't have thought about insulating until it was already frozen. Thanks for the tips.

disturbedinwv · #17 08/05/14, 03:08 PM

We installed one of the nipples for our hogs today. We used pvc fittings and whatnot to connect it directly to a hose. We plan on just leaving the hose run so they can have fresh water anytime.

I'm hoping that they'll find it and learn how to use it. I showed it to them, demonstrated it, and also rubbed some peanut butter on it.

Is there any other suggestions for getting them to use it, or will they just figure it out on their own?

**highlands** · #18 08/05/14, 04:11 PM

I find the PVC gets brittle with sun or cold and breaks. Sch. 40 or 80 in grey lasts longer than the white. Steel lasts even better.

The other issue is that the fence wires and post tend to rot in a situation like this. If you set it up so there was a post a bit away from the fence that would stop the rot on the fence post. What type of wood also matters greatly - cedar lasts best of what I get easily. Another option is having a sacrificial board that moves the nipple out a bit further, a couple of 2x6's thick.

Cheers,

-Walter

loggerbud · #19 08/05/14, 08:46 PM

Push a marsh mellow right over the nipple when they bite to get it off they will figure it out

disturbedinwv · #20 08/07/14, 09:00 AM

The marshmallow trick worked. The red sow figured it out. I assume the rest will learn from her and follow suit. I'm thinking we may want to run it across the fence to a tree though, so it's not so close to the electric.