DIY no mud duck waterer - need some help

[Guernsy]

Hi
As earlier discussed here, we all know, that ducks are a muddy mess, especially when it comes to water. Therefore, I have been trying to find a waterer system for them, that doesn't turn into mud within 5 min. I have several dished out for them, most of them are situated on top of pavers or even rubber mats, that can be hosed down (creates an even bigger mess). Here in CA, water is precious, so I have to come up with something else.
For a while, we used a 5-gallon bucket, with the little automatic RentACoop chicken water cups. That didn't work so well, since they got muddy and plugged up and the chickens were not happy with it.
So, on youtube, there are a bunch of videos that show duck waterers that use a ball valve, attached to containers, such as storage boxes, with holes cut out on the sides for the ducks to stick their heads in. Unfortunately, none of the videos, that I watched told me how do make them. I can figure out how to attach the ball valve so that the water will fill the container and will stop at a certain level. What I don't know, is at what level I should attach the ball valve (from the ground), how much water should be in the container at one given time, how big the entry holes for the duck heads should be (so they don't get stuck or so they don't drag in mud), and how high these holes for their heads should be.
I wish I could post a drawing, unfortunately I don't know how. I hope you can get the picture.
Anyway, if anyone has built anything like this before, please let me know, how you did it.
Thanks

 

[Ratchnick]

You need a float valve to keep the water at the proper level.

https://www.amazon.com/Kerick-Valve...garden+hose&qid=1592788920&sr=8-11&th=1&psc=1

 

[Guernsy]

You need a float valve to keep the water at the proper level.

https://www.amazon.com/Kerick-Valve-MA052-Float-Adjustable/dp/B0077RAP1I/ref=mp_s_a_1_11?dchild=1&keywords=float+valve,+garden+hose&qid=1592788920&sr=8-11&th=1&psc=1

I actually ordered the exact one. It is sitting on my counter right now. Arrived yesterday.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Although I did not use an automatic filling float I did try the tote with holes water idea.


All clean and pretty....

After ONE day.

Yup they filled it with mucky mud and made a soggy gross mess all around it.
It was also very awkward to try and move to clean it. This was a 5" deep tote and was such a pain I abandoned the idea.

To cut the holes in the lid I chose what size I wanted, drew them on, drilled a hole big enough for my jig saw blade and cut them out with the jig saw.

 

[Guernsy]

Although I did not use an automatic filling float I did try the tote with holes water idea.

View attachment 2206244
All clean and pretty....
View attachment 2206243
After ONE day.

Yup they filled it with mucky mud and made a soggy gross mess all around it.
It was also very awkward to try and move to clean it. This was a 5" deep tote and was such a pain I abandoned the idea.

To cut the holes in the lid I chose what size I wanted, drew them on, drilled a hole big enough for my jig saw blade and cut them out with the jig saw.

Interesting. Thank you for sharing the pictures. How high of the ground is the tote?

 

[Guernsy]

I am trying to replica something like this:
https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/automatic-poultry-drinker-for-ducks-geese

I am sure, that they will put some mud in there as well, however, I hope it won't be as bad as I have it now, where they also try to swim in it.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Interesting. Thank you for sharing the pictures. How high of the ground is the tote?

In that photo it was sitting about 8 inches high. In the second photo I had spread the bars a bit to drop it down to 6.5 inches high. That put it barely off the ground. The main reason I wanted it lifted if even just a tiny is to prevent the growth of mold under it.

If you do get a tote to use choose a very strong/stiff one so if you have to lift/move it it doesn't buckle and soak you.

I did see that the one in the link has feet.....I think that is important to prevent mold under it.

 

[Guernsy]

In that photo it was sitting about 8 inches high. In the second photo I had spread the bars a bit to drop it down to 6.5 inches high. That put it barely off the ground. The main reason I wanted it lifted if even just a tiny is to prevent the growth of mold under it.

If you do get a tote to use choose a very strong/stiff one so if you have to lift/move it it doesn't buckle and soak you.

I did see that the one in the link has feet.....I think that is important to prevent mold under it.

I got a big heavy-duty tote from Costco, a float valve and will start assembling it today. Will try to post pictures when done and when I can figure out how.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I got a big heavy-duty tote from Costco, a float valve and will start assembling it today. Will try to post pictures when done and when I can figure out how.

The easiest way to post pics is to click the icon just to the left of the smile face above and click where it says drop image. You can then select your image from there.

Definitely let us know how it comes out and how it is going after they have used it for a while.

 

[Flyinbolts]

When you figure out a 'no mud duck waterer' let me know. We can tackle perpetual motion next.