3 Considerations When Buying a Water Trough

8 January 2018
 Categories: , Blog

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If you want to water large mobs of stock such as horses, sheep, and cattle concurrently, you have to find durable watering troughs. Troughs come in different sizes and shapes to accommodate the diverse needs of users. The type of watering trough that a farmer chooses will have a bearing on the welfare of livestock and productivity. However, since there is no 'one-size-fits-all' solution when it comes to a water trough, buyers must select from a range of products. Therefore, choosing a watering trough can be a good investment if you make a right decision. Here are some considerations when buying a water trough.

Choice of Material -- The type of trough material used will determine the service life that you will receive from the receptacle. Concrete water troughs are durable and ideal for all kinds of weather, but due to their weight, it is difficult to move them from one site to another. In this sense, they can only be constructed at a fixed location thereby forcing animals to move. Polyethylene water troughs are light in weight; hence, they can be moved from one place to another. Also, improvement in manufacturing technology has made it possible for polyethylene to last for many years because it is layered with a UV resistant coating. Moreover, some of the troughs are often built with double walls to prevent damage during freezing temperatures. Steel troughs are very durable and resistant to weather.

Size and Mounting -- Most water troughs come in different sizes depending on the number of livestock you intend to water. The dimension of the troughs should accommodate several animals at the same time. In this sense, a rectangular trough is suitable for such purposes. Water troughs have two mounting options: floor and wall mounting. The former is suitable when you want to attach the trough to an adjacent structure. Most importantly, choosing the right size of water trough ensures that your livestock has constant access to clean water.

Accessories – You can buy several trough accessories to supplement water troughs. For example, you should evaluate whether you need trough support, which raises the receptacle off the ground. A poly ball float and ball valves are useful in preventing water from overflowing during winter. You can install a drain plug de-icer to thaw the water. Notably, when budgeting for a water trough, ensure you factor in the cost of all accessories that might be needed.