How it Works
Comfortable
Safe Access
Training animals to drink from the pail shaped waterbowl is
quite easy. The pail shape is a natural shape for an animal to
eat or drink from. The sides slope towards the valve to guide
an animal’s nose towards the valve. The bucket is made of a
strong flexible rubber compound to ensure that it is comfortable
to drink from. The flexible material allows the greatest safety
for animals especially in small pens. If an animal runs into or
is pushed into the waterer it will flex in to absorb the
impact. Injuries are far less likely compared with rigid
waterers.
High Flow
Valve
An additional goal of the design is to increase the water
consumption in hot weather. Shallow waterbowls must maintain a
slow flow rate to keep the water from shooting over the sides.
In the deep bowl of the Zero Spill, the valve can be
unrestricted to allow maximum flow. The SF2002 valve used in
the Zero Spill waterbowl has a restrictor that can be removed to
allow up to 25 litres per minute at 50 psi. The tube valve
design opens with a push from any direction. Animals can now
fill up quickly and comfortably. Production will not be limited
by the lack of water consumption.
Self
Cleaning
The high rim of the bucket reduces the chance of an animal
lifting feed into the bucket. The high flow valve scours the
bottom of the bowl to keep it clean. The high flow also keeps
small particles of feed suspended in the water so that they are
swallowed by the animal.
Benefits
Reduced
Labour:
Bedding is used in pens and loose housing to absorb urine and
fecees to keep animals clean and dry. Removing manure is the
most labour intensive tasks done to care for animals in pens.
Eliminating wasted water with the use of a Zero Spill waterbowl
would reduce the time required to clean out pens.
Reduced Manure Volume:
The addition of wasted water splashed onto bedding increases the
volume of manure to be removed from the pen. This additional
manure requires additional storage and additional spreading
costs. Containing splashed water would eliminate spilled water
and would eliminate several loads of manure to be transported to
the fields. Fuel and equipment savings could be substantial.
Reduced Bedding: Bedding costs are rising quickly. Using
extra bedding to absorb unnecessary wasted water is expensive
and frustrating.
Healthier Environment:
A wet environment promotes the growth of harmful bacteria. Hoof
rot, mastitis, and other infections can occur more easily in a
wet environment. Veterinary expenses could be reduced as well
as mortality rates.
Safety:
Rigid waterbowls offer an obstruction in pens that can sometimes
cause injury to animals. Cast iron, steel or even plastic
waterbowls that are bolted to posts or walls can harm animals if
they run into or are pushed into them. Minor scrapes or major
injuries can result from collisions between animals and hard
waterbowls. The Kendu Zero Spill waterbowl it made from a
flexible rubber compound that absorbs any impact and then
rebounds into its original shape. The only rigid parts on the
waterbowl are mounted within 2 inches of the post or wall and
are contained within the rubber pail.
Low Maintenance Requirements:
No frost plugs are needed to protect from damage, therefore no
surprise leaks will occur because of a little cold weather. The
valve and water connection are able to take substantial freezing
without being damaged. Lines leading to the waterbowl would be
more likely to rupture first. There are only 3 wear parts that
could need replacement. The valve has a neopreme washer that
may stiffen up and start to leak in 5 to 10 years. The
stainless steel spring in the valve could weaken and start to
leak in 10 to 20 years. Both parts are sold for approximately
$1 each. The rubber pail may show some wear in 5 to 10 years
and can easily be replaced without turning off the water. It is
sold for $24.95.
Environmental Funding Programs
Zero Spill waterbowls reduce negative impacts on the environment
in the following ways:
•
reduce water waste
•
reduce feed and bedding waste reduces land requirements for food
•
reduce manure volumes reduces greenhouse emissions
•
reduce fuel requirements spreading manure reduces greenhouse
emissions
Some Regions recognize the Environmental Benefits resulting from
switching to Zero Spill waterbowls and offer financial
incentives to encourage their use. Canada Farm Stewardship
Program is a cost share program providing 30% for in barn
improvements … more efficient livestock watering devices and
cleanout systems to reduce water use and decrease manure volumes
Ontario -
www.ontariosoilcrop.org
-
1 800
265-9751 |