Cattle Water Trough
A number of beef cows quenching their thirst at a Kinaki cattle water trough.
The Kinaki cattle water trough provides the ideal solution to the water requirements for large livestock. It has been designed primarily for dairy cows, with its large 1200 litre capacity and space for twelve cows to drink at once. However, it is also suitable for beef cows and game livestock and has been met with particular success with these applications.
The construction of the Kinaki cattle water trough gives it some distinct advantages over other types of drinking trough. Concrete is an extremely durable material with regards to strength as well as weathering. Unlike troughs constructed from brick, a Kinaki cattle water trough will not crumble with time and it will not be damaged by sunlight like plastic water troughs. Weighing in at about 766 kg it does not need anchoring and will not be moved, even if empty, by livestock trying to drink. It will also only be stolen by an extremely well resourced thief. With its circular shape, the Kinaki cattle trough provides the largest possible capacity for the smallest weight. The circular shape also ensures that it is extremely strong as corners are the weakest point in any structure. Its large 1200 litre capacity to ensure that there is always an adequate supply of water for the livestock during peak demand. In short, the Kinaki cattle water trough will ensure that you can stop worrying about providing adequate access to water for your livestock.
Capacity: 1200 litres
Size: 1.9meters diameter x 600mm high
Weight: 766 Kg
Inlet: On the bottom of the trough 270mm in from the edge. This protects the inlet pipe from animal damage and from freezing.
Inlet size: Different sizes are offered by different manufactures. See note below.
Drain: There is a 30mm drain hole opposite the inlet to allow for cleaning the trough. Animals will drink more water if it is clean and that impacts on health and production.
Lifting: There are 3 lifting points in the base of the cattle water trough.
Delivery: The Kinaki cattle water trough can’t be carried on a normal bakkie. It needs a flat deck or should be transported on a truck.
Inlet valve Size
A view of the ball valve fitting on a Kinaki cattle water trough.
Inlet size can be a controversial subject. First logic is to think that a larger diameter float valve will allow a higher flow rate into the trough and that a small float valve will restrict water flow. This is not the case because the flow rate is determined by the friction loss in the entire length of the feed pipe. Because of this changing the size of the inlet valve has no significant effect on the filling time of a trough. By changing from a 20mm to a 40mm inlet valve would only reduce filling time by a maximum of 5 seconds. The speed of water through the smaller valve is higher than for the larger valve so that an equal volumes passes through both valves. Larger valves have a higher cost and tend to give more problems. A small cheque book doesn’t slow down the outflow of money from your bank account.
Reticulation Design
Dairy cows should never run out of water. Thirsty cows mean less milk and a smaller milk cheque. The average cow has a peak demand for water of 14 litres per hour and the reticulation system needs to be designed to provide for your herd at the furthest point from the pump. The 1200 litres in the Kinaki provides a buffer but it is important that the number of cows and the maximum distance from the pump is considered when deciding on pipe size. A garden pipe will never supply enough water for 500 cows.
Positioning of Trough
A dairy cow drinking at a Kinaki cattle water trough
A Kinaki cattle water trough should be installed level otherwise the volume of water it holds will be reduced. Ideally it should be positioned so that rain or irrigation water flows away from the depression that cows tend to create around a trough. It should also be positioned so that cows have access all around the trough. This means that 12 cows can drink at one time. Positioning the Kinaki cattle water trough under a fence will mean that only 4 cows can drink. Cows are social animals and they all like to drink at the same time. Cows queuing for water means less time eating and that affects production.