Interesting facts on the subject of drinking trough
In professional cattle and horse husbandry, great care must be taken when selecting the right drinking troughs.
The choice of the right drinking troughs must be given high priority in professional cattle and horse husbandry.
A sufficient supply of water is essential for the health of the animals. Especially on hot summer days, it has a decisive influence on animal welfare. Lactating cows, for example, need up to 150 litres of water or more in hot weather. The animals must be able to drink enough water unhindered and stress-free so as not to jeopardise their performance and well-being.
Kerbl has been impressing customers for many years with proven drinking troughs developed in-house. Comfort for humans and animals is the top priority. Co-operation with practical farms and extensive field tests during the development phase enable us to adapt the products perfectly to practical use.
Water is the most important and most favourable feedstuff. A sufficient supply is essential for the well-being and health of the animals.
The following aspects must be taken into account:
- Water quality
- availability
- temperature
- ingredients
Water consumption and installation data for common animals
| Animal species | Water consumption | Mounting heights | Number of animals per drinking point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dairy cow | up to 150 litres/day (stable keeping) 55 - 125 litres/day (grazing) | 70 – 100 cm | 10 |
| Suckler cow | 35 - 75 litres/day (grazing) | 70 – 100 cm | 10 |
| Young cattle | 60 - 90 litres/day | 60 – 70 cm | 15 |
| Calf | 17 - 20 litres/day | 40 – 60 cm | 10 |
| Horse | 20 - 60 litres/day | 110 – 120 cm | 15 |
| Pony | 20 - 60 litres/day | 55 – 90 cm | 15 |
| Sheep | 5 - 8 litres/day | Step + 50 cm | 25 |
The values and heights stated are guidelines. They must be adapted to the respective situation depending on the animal species and intended use. Water intake is also heavily dependent on the respective surrounding temperature.
Required water flow rate
Use drinking troughs with a suitable water flow rate per minute so that the animals drink enough water.
Examples:
Dairy cow:
On average, cows consume 5-8 litres/min. Immediately after milking, a cow can drink up to 20 litres/min.
Horse:
Water intake varies between 3.5 and 7 l/min.
If the water flow rate cannot be increased, a drinker with a larger basin volume should be selected. This will still provide the animals with sufficient water.
Drinking behaviour of a dairy cow
Consequences of water deficiency in dairy cows
- Lower milk yield
- Reduction in rumen activity
- Less dry matter intake
- Reduced urine excretion
- Higher concentration of urinary substances
- Increased strain on the circulatory system
Drinking behaviour of a horse
Pasture drinkers - water supply is often underestimated
A sufficient supply of water is essential for the health of the animals on the pasture. Especially on hot summer days, it has a decisive influence on animal welfare. It is essential that the water supply is adapted to the farm, animal species and number of animals. Our range is just as varied as the farms themselves. Whether you are looking for a pasture drinker, pasture pump or a water trough for grazing barrels in plastic, grey cast iron or cast aluminium, we are your partner.
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Large grazing trough - enough water for the whole herd
Cows prefer to drink from an open water surface, as they immerse their mouths approx. 3-4 cm into the water when drinking. Tongue drinkers can impair the natural drinking behaviour of cattle and often do not ensure sufficient water flow. If you want to ensure a species-appropriate water supply for your herd, the Kerbl grazing trough with a capacity of 550 litres or 1000 litres is ideal.
The unbreakable, dimensionally stable and UV-resistant special material, the protected water connection and float valve, as well as an additionally reinforced inner edge and optimised float position for better water level regulation are the distinguishing features of the drinking trough. The smooth surface for easy cleaning, the stackable design and the oval shape for easy loading also offer you maximum convenience.
Are you looking for a slightly smaller, cheaper alternative? Then we recommend our water trough with a capacity of 150 litres or 380 litres. UV-stabilised, it is suitable for outdoor use and impresses with its ease of use and the option of retrofitting a suspension float valve.
Water bowls for pasture barrels - the simple solution
Water bowls
If there is no water connection in the pasture, grazing barrels are often used and fitted with a drinking basin for grazing barrel cultivation. Here too, we have the right products and solutions for you. You can choose between a plastic, grey cast iron or cast aluminium water bowl:
Double-float drinking trough
Attaching a double-float drinking trough allows several animals to drink at the same time and provides an open water surface for species-typical drinking. The S60 double-float drinker for pasture barrel attachment from Kerbl is suitable for up to 40 cattle.
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Fully assembled, it is very easy to connect to the pasture barrel. A flap on the top for quick access to the valve and two drain plugs for easy cleaning also offer the user maximum convenience.
Pasture pump - Always fresh and clean water
Water should be drawn from a natural body of water using a pasture pump. The animals use their heads to pump the water into the drinking bowl on their own. The pasture pumps developed by Kerbl are characterised by their sturdy cast iron construction and their extremely smooth double-stroke function. An extensive range of accessories for our pasture pumps rounds off the range perfectly.
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New to the range is our pasture pump specially designed for suckler cow husbandry. An additional drinking bowl for the calf makes it easier for the young animals to drink.
Thermal troughs - the solution for year-round grazing
Are your animals out on pasture all year round and do you want to ensure they have enough water during the winter months? Then we recommend our Uno and Duo Thermal Trough.
These troughs are frost-proof down to approx. -30 °C and do not require a power connection. This is made possible by the high level of insulation provided by the double wall with thermal foam filling and the water flowing in.
Even in summer, the thermal troughs ensures a pleasant water temperature for your animals.
The Uno Thermal Trough with a volume of 40 litres is suitable for supplying water to up to 15 animals. The large Duo Thermal Trough with a capacity of 100 litres is suitable for up to 30 animals.
Our drinking technology advisory team will be happy to answer your questions about the various drinking troughs. Here you will find our complete range of drinking trough products.
Placement of the drinking bowls in the stable
Tips for drinking bowls in stables
- There should be at least 60 cm of space above the drinking trough. This allows the animals to drink easily and quickly and minimises water spillage.
- The animals should have constant access to water in order to positively influence their performance and growth.
- Do not install the drinking bowl next to the feeding station. There is a risk of the feed becoming soaked or the drinking trough becoming soiled with feed residues.
- The position of the drinking bowls should be based on the behaviour of the animals and placed along the work aisles to make cleaning and checking the drinking bowls easier.
- When keeping herds, at least two water points must be installed separately from each other. This is the only way lower-ranking animals can drink undisturbed. Furthermore, drinking troughs should not be placed in corners or dead ends, but in open areas to prevent contact between higher-ranking and lower-ranking animals and to allow them to escape.
Horse stable
Special features for keeping horses
A metal guard can be fitted around the trough if the horse bangs its head or stamps a lot to protect the animal and trough from damage. In foal rearing stalls, a maximum distance of 5 cm should be maintained between the protective bar and the drinker so that the foals do not get their legs trapped.
Free stall barn with milking robot
Special features of cattle farming
- The distance between the troughs should not exceed 15 metres, otherwise the water intake will decrease.
- In narrow aisles, space-saving single/double trough drinkers should preferably be used.
- Drinking bowls with a high flow rate and large basin volume should be installed directly after the milking area in order to satisfy the high water requirements of the dairy cows. Trough drinkers are recommended here.
- For calves, drinkers with a constant water level should be used and they should be adjusted to their body height.
Free stall barn with milking parlour
- Feed alley
- Boxes
- Single box
- Milking robot
- Waiting stall (optional)
- Milking parlour
Placement of the drinking bowls in the pasture
- The animals should be given constant access to water in order to positively influence their performance and growth.
- At least two water stations should be installed separately from each other. This is the only way lower-ranking animals can drink undisturbed. Furthermore, drinking bowls should not be placed in corners, dead ends or narrow walkways, but in open areas to avoid contact between higher-ranking and lower-ranking animals and to allow them to escape.
- Do not necessarily place drinking troughs in shady areas. In hot temperatures, the animals seek the cooler shade. If a drinking trough is placed there, the animals will crowd around the trough and dominant animals can claim the trough for themselves. It is advisable to install the drinking bowl near a shaded resting area.
- In general, the drinking troughs should be slightly larger to ensure a good supply and prevent long waiting times and crowding.
- It is recommended that grazing troughs are fixed to the ground so that the animals cannot move them.
- The troughs should be cleaned and emptied before winter.
No water connection available
Pasture pump
The pasture pump is suitable for drawing drinking water from open waters, water reservoirs and cisterns and pumps water from a maximum depth of 7 - 8 metres. However, the regulations and requirements must be observed!
The suction line must not be pressurised, e.g. due to a higher suction point than the pump itself.
Functionality
- Aluminium lever
- Pivot points with plain bearings
- Pull rod
- Rubber diaphragm
- Check valves
- Cast iron drinking bowl
- Brass thread and hose connection
The lever is pushed forwards by the animal's head. The pull rod lifts the membrane and draws water into the membrane chamber. Gravity and the tension in the membrane cause the lever to move backwards again. The water is displaced from the membrane chamber and flows into the drinking bowl. The non-return valves ensure that the water is always sucked in and pumped in the right direction. Some of the pumped water remains on the top of the membrane and flows into the drinking bowl as soon as the membrane is actuated again during the next cycle, i.e. when the animal presses the lever again (double stroke function).
IBC container - The practical alternative to the wicker drum
Another option for ensuring the water supply without a water connection is to use an IBC container. With our mounting plate and the connection set for IBC containers, we also offer a quick and easy solution for installing a drinking basin.
Explanation of terms
- Bar
Bar is a widely used unit for water pressure. The pressure in a water pipe is usually given in bar and indicates the force with which the water is pressed against a surface (e.g. valve surface). The water pressure can be measured using a manometer. - High pressure
Drinking bowls can be fitted with different valves that are designed for high pressure or low pressure in the water pipe. If the water comes from a house connection or a pump system, you need a drinking bowl or valve that is designed for high pressure. The high pressure range for KERBL drinking bowls is between 1 - 5 bar. For pressures above 5 bar, we recommend installing a pressure reducer upstream of the drinking bowl. - Low pressure
If water is drawn from a grazing barrel or other raised container without a pump or additional pressure booster, a drinking bowl or valve for low pressure is required. The low pressure range for KERBL drinking bowls is between 0.3 - 1 bar. - Water flow rate
The water flow, volume flow or flow rate is the amount of water that flows through the cross-section of the water pipe or drinking valve per minute and is given in litres per minute (e.g. 8 l/min).
- Volt
Volt is the unit of measurement for electrical voltage and is given in V (volts). A normal domestic power socket has a voltage of 230 volts. The voltage can be reduced to 24 volts, for example, using a protective isolating transformer for use with drinking bowls. Voltages up to 48 volts are safe for the human body and for animals. - Watt
Watt is the unit for electrical power and is given in W (watts). A drinking bowl can be operated with 230 volts or 24 volts. Since both drinking bowls require the same heating temperature to keep them frost-free, the same electrical power is required despite the different voltages (24 volts = 30 watts; 230 volts = 30 watts). - Separation systems according to DIN EN 1717
It should be noted that water contaminated by animals falls under category 5 according to DIN EN 1717. If a drinking trough is connected to a water pipe which is connected to the public water supply network and does not itself separate the water surface from the water supply network by means of a free outlet in accordance with DIN EN 1717, then the drinking trough installation must be separated from the public and domestic water supply network by means of a system separator with a free outlet in accordance with DIN EN 1717 type AA.
The right type of drinking trough
What needs to be considered when choosing the right drinking trough:
- High pressure or low pressure
- High pressure - Should the drinking trough be connected to the house connection?
- Low pressure - Should the drinking trough be supplied via a water tank without a pressure booster?
- Type of animal and group or individual housin
- Which animals are to be watered and how old are they? (see rating of drinking valve types below)
- How large is the group?
- What water requirement does each animal have?
- Min. water flow rate of the valve?
- Size of the tank volume?
- Does the drinking trough need to be frost-proof, i.e. heatable?
- Should the heating system for the pipes be laid in the browsing area? - 24 volts
- Should the heating system of the pipes be laid outside the browsing area or can it be protected from browsing? - 230 volts
Evaluation of the drinking valve types
The different types of drinking troughs are assessed below and their suitability for certain animal species is described.
Open trough drinker with float valve:
Open water points reflect the natural drinking in nature. The animal can dip its mouth in deeply and take in large quantities of water in a short time. Trough drinkers are suitable for all animal species, especially for lactating cattle that need to drink a lot of water in a short time.
Drinking valve used:
A float valve is usually used here. The float, a floating hollow body attached to a lever arm, opens or closes the valve nozzle using its leverage. If the water level falls below the set level, the valve nozzle is opened and closed when the water level has reached its ‘target’ again. This ensures that there is always water in the drinking trough.
Float bowl:
Float drinkers are characterised by an open water surface with a constant water level. They are particularly suitable for young animals (e.g. calves), sheep, goats and animals with sensitive snouts or weaning aids.
Drinking valve used:
As with the trough drinker, a float valve is also used here. The float valves used for float drinkers are usually smaller and have a lower flow rate than trough drinkers. Otherwise the function is the same.
Water Bowl with Pipe Valve:
Pipe valves are particularly suitable for animals that cannot apply high pressure with the bridge of their nose and for skittish animals. Suitable for all animal species, especially for horses and as a single drinking point. May not be suitable for fattening cattle.
Drinking valve used:
The pipe valve or spigot valve can be operated easily and without great effort by the bridge of the animal's nose. The water then flows into the drinking bowl through the ‘pipe’ at the lower end.
Tongue valve drinker:
Due to the greater force required to operate the valve by means of a ‘tongue’, such drinkers are particularly suitable for animals with great strength (e.g. cattle).
Drinking valve used:
The ‘tongue’ (pressure flap) actuates the valve behind it when pressure is applied from the front. The pressure exerted by the animal on the ‘tongue’ opens the valve behind it and water flows into the drinking bowl.
Material and surface coating of the drinking bowls
Grey cast iron
Cast iron material with a high carbon content. Mainly used for reed valve drinkers.
Surface: Powder-coated
With powder-coated basins, an electrically conductive body (grey cast iron) is coated with powder paint and then melted onto the body.
The material is characterised by
- High impact resistance and mechanical strength
- good weather resistance
- Optimum cleaning possible
- good corrosion resistance
- environmentally friendly (solvent-free) processing
Surface: Enamelled
High-quality, fired ceramic bond on cast steel parts.
The material is characterised by
- good mechanical strength
- high resistance to surface wear
- good weather resistance
- Optimum cleaning possible
- high corrosion resistance
- Environmentally friendly (solvent-free) processing
Polypropylene
The material is characterised by
- higher impact strength and elasticity than cast steel
- Good insulating thermal properties
- No surface coating required
Stainless steel
The material is characterised by:
- very high corrosion resistance
- Very easy to clean
- No surface coating required
- Very long service life
Frost-Free Water Bowls
Systems with 24 volts are primarily used in stables where the electrical cables could be damaged by browsing and could pose a risk to animals and possibly also to people with a 230 volt system.
A protective isolating transformer (e.g. item no. 222798) is required to operate one or more drinking bowls with 24 volts. The transformer reduces the mains voltage from 230 volts AC to max. 24 volts AC. The transformer must be selected so that the power of the transformer is greater than the total power of the connected loads.
Example:
2 x heating cables (3 metres, 30 watts; art. no. 223581) + 2 x drinking bowls H10 (50 watts; art. no. 222005) = 160 watts
-> 200 watt transformer (item no. 222797) required
he transformer should never be fully utilised with the connected consumers or even exceed the total output, as otherwise the required heat output of the heating cables and drinking trough heaters can no longer be provided.
Please also note that if the cable cross-section of the supply line from the transformer to the drinking trough is too small, a lot of power can be lost. In order to keep the water pipes and drinking troughs safely frost-free, it is important to optimise the length and cross-section of the cable. Please refer to the table with the maximum cable lengths and cross-sections for the power to be transmitted.
Therefore, place the transformer as close as possible to the consumer (heating cable, drinking trough heater). It must be installed outside the browsing area, protected from water and mounted outside the splash zone of the drinking trough.
Heatable 24 volt drinking bowls - How does it work?
If the electrical cables are reliably protected against browsing, 230 volt systems can also be used. The advantage of 230 V systems lies in the reliable transmission of the required heating power over long distances and relatively small cable cross-sections.
When using metal pipework, the earthing clamps must be separately earthed and fused. This serves as protection in the event of a bite and/or damage to the protective insulation of the heating cable or the supply cable to the drinking trough, which is in contact with the pipework.
Please note that electrical installations with 230 volts must be carried out by a specialist!
With thermal drinkers, also known as ball drinkers, the drinkers are reliably kept frost-free in winter at sub-zero temperatures, even without a power supply, if enough animals frequent the drinker. The water supply pipe must be laid in the frost-free area of the floor (approx. 0.8 metres below the surface) to the drinking trough. By constantly drawing water from the animals, water at ground temperature (approx. +5 °C) can flow into the drinking trough and is kept at temperature and thus frost-free by the drinking trough wall insulated with thermal foam and the drinking trough lid.
The balls, which are also filled with thermal foam, close the drinking openings in the lid after each use by the animal and thus prevent the water from cooling down too quickly and freezing. When drinking, the animal pushes the ball inwards to the side.
Thanks to the drinking trough's good thermal insulation, the water remains pleasantly cool even in summer and ensures a comfortable drinking temperature all year round. The ball closure of the drinking openings prevents contamination of the water as far as possible. For easier cleaning, the thermal drinkers are fitted with at least one drain plug so that water and dirt can be quickly drained from the drinker. In order to reduce the possibility of excrement accumulating at the drinking point, it is recommended that the thermal drinkers are mounted on a concrete base at least 20 cm high in accordance with the installation instructions.
Connection diagram
- Pipe insulation
- Floor insulation seal
- braided stainless steel hose
- double sealing strips
- float valve
- ball
- Insulation with PU rigid foam
- Large quick drain
- Concrete step base (at least 15 cm thick)
- frost-free depth (0.8 - 2.0 m - depending on the region)
- 1/2‘’ water supply pipe
- Base open so that geothermal heat can rise
- Pipe: minimum diameter 30 cm
Frost protection heating pipe
A frost protection heating pipe prevents water pipes from freezing. The thermostat in the heating cable switches the cable on automatically
What must be observed with 230 V heating pipes:
- Always attach the heating cable to the underside of the pipe
- The water pipe must be earthed
- The 230 V heating cables must be ready to plug in and connected to a power supply with a circuit breaker (RCD 30 mA)
- The heating cables must not be shortened and should therefore be ordered in the correct length
- Remaining lengths can be wrapped around the pipe in coils (note that a minimum coil spacing of 15 mm must be maintained here)
- Do not kink the heating cable and observe the maximum bending radius of approx. 35 mm
- The heating cables can be attached to the pipe with insulating tape or aluminium tape (222809)
- When using plastic pipes, the pipe must be wrapped with aluminium tape (222809) before laying the heating cable
- When using plastic pipes, please observe separate special installation instructions
- The pipe and the heating cable should be insulated with insulation of max. 13 mm
- The thermostat of the heating cable should be installed at the coldest position of the pipework
- The thermostat must only be moderately insulated
- Do not use 230 volt heating cables in the bite area of animals
- Installation must be carried out by a qualified specialist in accordance with VDE0100
What should I bear in mind when using plastic water pipes?
Never install heating cables directly on plastic pipes. For better heat transfer, the plastic pipe must first be completely covered with aluminium adhesive tape (art. no. 222809). Important: Only use plastic pipes that are suitable for hot water installations. Otherwise the pipework may be damaged and water may leak out.
Should pipework and heating cables be insulated?
To ensure economical operation of the installation, the pipework and heating cable should be insulated with heat-resistant mineral wool or foam insulation with a maximum thickness of 13 mm
Frost protection heating pipe with thermostat
- keeps your water pipe frost-free down to max. -45 °C
- Integrated frost protection thermostat (switch-on temperature approx. +5 °C, switch-off temperature approx. +13 °C)
- Not suitable for heating pipes
- Do not insulate the thermostat with additional insulation
- Protect the area that the animals can nibble on with bite protection
- VDE-tested heating cable
- 230 volt
- IPX7
Do not mount in animal feed area unprotected - use only 24-volt heating cable. Do not shorten the heating cable!
Frost Protection Heating Cable for Gutters and Pipes
The plug-in heating cable, suitable for gutters and pipes, meets the requirements of strength class M2 as per IEC60800:2009 to keep gutters and pipes safely above freezing. The high heating power of 20 watts per metre means the heating cable keeps gutters, downspouts and piping frost-free even at very low temperatures. The integrated temperature switch reliably switches the heating cable on at a temperature of +3 °C and off again at +12 °C.
- Suitable for gutters: Strength class M2
- Ready-to-plug heating cable for easy installation
- Integrated thermostat for energy-saving use
- High protection class: IPX7
- Suitable for metal water pipes
- Incl. safety plug for high level of safety
- Connection cable length: 2 m
- IPX7
- Protection class: I
with safety plug for high level of safety
integrated thermostat for energy-saving use
Note:
- Please note that each heating cable connection must be fused via a separate residual current circuit breaker (E.g. item no. 296099, plug-in PRCD switch).
- The heating cable must be protected against sharp edges, e.g. where the guttering meets the downpipe, using edge protection (item no. 296098).
- The heating cable must not overlap, cross over or be in contact with itself or another heating cable at any point. To permanently prevent contact, we recommend the use of suitable spacers if necessary (item no. 296097).
- For safety reasons, pipes and metal guttering, protective tubes and sheathing must be earthed before installation.
Circulation Pump C10
Circulation pump with integrated heating element for year-round operation
The ideal solution for supplying animals with water at a pleasant temperature. The constant movement of the water and the switchable heating provide double anti-freezing protection.
- 3-step switch: 0 = Off, 1 = Circulation mode, 2 = Circulation and heating mode
- Automatic control of the set water temperature
- Automatic safety shut-off in case of overheating
- The LED on the control box indicated whether the heater is turned on and heating
- Air vent valve on the radiator
- Circulation pump with three different speeds
- Easy installation by an authorised expert
- Low space requirement due to compact design
- Very easy to maintain
- Components can be quickly disconnected and disassembled
- For drinking systems with a loop length of max. 250 m (and a pipe diameter of 3/4”)
- Stainless steel housing
- Flow indicator and thermometer available as optional accessories
- Water connection: 1’ (inlet and outlet)
- Voltage: 230 V
1. Circulation pump C10 (223130)
2. 3/8‘ quick-release air vent
3. 1’ non-return valve for water inlet
4. 6 bar pressure relief valve
5. Flow indicator with float, DN25, G 1"
6. DN25 thermometer connection with 1¼" union nut
7. Shut-off valve for circulation pump
8. Shut-off valve for bypass pipe
9. Shut-off valve for supply pipe
10. Drain valve for circulation pump
11. Water filter (optional)
12. Drain valve for loop
13. Insulation
14. Gnawing protection
15. Control box with 30 mA RCD for circulation pump