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Water trough size and height

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  • 08-05-2020 4:30pm
    #1
    Buford T. Justice XIX
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,633 ✭✭✭✭


    So I'm in the middle of making paddocks here in the sheep and calf ground. I'm thinking of concrete troughs but after a few breakdowns with TB in the last few years, it was recommended by my vet to put in troughs tall enough to discourage badgers from drinking. Dept website says 32 inches high off the ground which is OK for ewes and calves, if I can get them that height, but would that size be too high for weaned lambs?

    Have come across a few 140gal troughs that are 25 inches high which would be fine for everything here but can't find any 32 inch high unless 1 go to 400gal which is too much for sheep and calves.


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    #2
    J.O. Farmer
    Registered Users Posts: 2,433 ✭✭✭J.O. Farmer


    Buford T. Justice VI wrote: »
    So I'm in the middle of making paddocks here in the sheep and calf ground. I'm thinking of concrete troughs but after a few breakdowns with TB in the last few years, it was recommended by my vet to put in troughs tall enough to discourage badgers from drinking. Dept website says 32 inches high off the ground which is OK for ewes and calves, if I can get them that height, but would that size be too high for weaned lambs?

    Have come across a few 140gal troughs that are 25 inches high which would be fine for everything here but can't find any 32 inch high unless 1 go to 400gal which is too much for sheep and calves.

    What about 6 inch blocks under the trough. It'd bring 25 inches to 31.


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    #3
    Buford T. Justice XIX
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,633 ✭✭✭✭Buford T. Justice XIX


    J.O. Farmer wrote: »
    What about 6 inch blocks under the trough. It'd bring 25 inches to 31.

    Thanks, I was thinking about that alright.

    My biggest worry would be the troughs being too high for lambs to drink out of once they're weaned. I'd be reducing the badger problem and then causing a lack of water problem:confused:


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    #4
    charolais0153
    Registered Users Posts: 6,225 ✭✭✭charolais0153


    Buford T. Justice VI wrote: »
    Thanks, I was thinking about that alright.

    My biggest worry would be the troughs being too high for lambs to drink out of once they're weaned. I'd be reducing the badger problem and then causing a lack of water problem:confused:

    Id say get the big water trougjs and put in a step beside the trough when theres sheep/lambs in thta paddock


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    #5
    Buford T. Justice XIX
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,633 ✭✭✭✭Buford T. Justice XIX


    charolais0153 wrote: »
    Id say get the big water trougjs and put in a step beside the trough when theres sheep/lambs in thta paddock

    Yeah, that's probably the best solution. I was hoping to avoid having to do something like that but needs must, I suppose.

    Thanks for that folks.


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    #6
    wrangler
    Registered Users Posts: 11,075 ✭✭✭✭wrangler


    charolais0153 wrote: »
    Id say get the big water trougjs and put in a step beside the trough when theres sheep/lambs in thta paddock

    Badgers can climb the block too, I'd plumb a small drinking bowl beside the tank at the right height for sheep/badgers,.... a bit overkill maybe , depends how much of a problem that TB and badgers are.
    I see lambs going to water long before they're weaned


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    #7
    White Clover
    Registered Users Posts: 4,569 ✭✭✭White Clover


    Was there a crowd in kerry that make troughs like wrangler mentions? Normal size cattle trough with a smaller one for sheep beside it.


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    #8
    memorystick
    Registered Users Posts: 1,580 ✭✭✭memorystick


    Is this high enough for store lambs? It’s 450mm

    https://www.glanbiaconnect.com/shop/product/Spillane-Concrete-Trough-Top-Fill/9076510


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    #9
    Dinzee Conlee
    Registered Users Posts: 2,141 ✭✭✭Dinzee Conlee


    memorystick wrote: »
    Is this high enough for store lambs? It’s 450mm

    https://www.glanbiaconnect.com/shop/product/Spillane-Concrete-Trough-Top-Fill/9076510

    That’s about a foot and a half... should be fine I’d say...
    But let the proper sheep farmers say what they think too... ;)


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