How Livestock Waterers Work Without Electricity to Heat the Water
How livestock drinkers work from Bar-Bar-A is like a frost-free hydrant but designed for animals. Pushing on the paddle the animal receives and drinks water. After finishing drinking the remaining water drains back into the ground leaving an empty bowl. This means that there is no water left behind to freeze in the winter, get hot in the summer, and grow algae or mosquito eggs. With no mosquito attraction, West Nile Virus and Zika Virus can be limited and the standing water which becomes the breeding ground for rodents, birds, and disease is not an issue.
How Livestock Waterers work as they are Self-Cleaning
With no standing water the opportunity for algae to grow is non-existent. This means there is no weekly cleaning associated with this product.
Water Temperature Just Right- All Year Long
In the summer the water comes up cooler and in the winter it is warmer because the water in the waterline is buried in the ground. Clean water at theright temperature is pleasing for animals to drink. This means more water consumption and results in healthier animals.
How Many Animals Need to Drink to Keep it From Freezing?
Unlike similar products the Bar-Bar-A does not need any animals drinking from it to keep it from freezing. The unit can handle just 1 animal or up to 25 head enjoying the fresh clean drinking water.
Physical Properties
All units are 5 feet in length and buried in the ground 3-3 ½ feet. At the base of the unit a water source is connected with the drinker’s waterline (1/2 inch polypipe). This is the coiled line that you see in the diagram below. The reason for the coiled line is so the inner workings can be pulled up to ground level for maintenance. The unit does not need to be dug up for service.
Training Animals to Drink
Training horses to drink from the Bar-Bar-A is easy. After installation remove all other water sources. Lead your horse over to the unit and push on the paddle. Rub some water on the nose and then get out of the way. Horses are typically curious and it takes about an hour for them to figure it out. For cattle and other animals place a bucket of water next to the Drinker. This trains the animal to go to the drinker for water. After a few days remove the bucket from the area. It generally takes 6-12 hours for cattle and other animals to learn to use the drinker. For animals needing extra help the unit has a training mode that can be implemented for training purposes (in the warmer months). In training mode the water can be temporarily stopped from draining so there is always water in the bowl.
How They Work
Karen says
Hello, looking at your waterer. I live in WI. & am looking for a horse waterer for about 3 head to put in a new shed I’m building. I have access to a fresh flowing creek during the summer. Need something that doesn’t freeze during out cold winters. Does it hurt the unit to not be used during summer months & only used in the winter?
horsedrinker says
Thanks for the question. It will not hurt the unit to stand idle. Just put a bucket or something over the unit to keep debris out of the bowl.
Heidi Swets says
HI Folks. We woud very much like to install one of these non-electric waterers for our 4 horses. We live in extreme NE Iowa where temps can get below zero for various numbers of days in January and February. A neighbor has one and says there is no problem with these temperatures. Our concern is water pressure. Our water is pumped with a windmill directly underground into a cistern. From there it flows by gravity to various locations–house, garden, pasture. What kind of pressure is necessary for the waterer to work properly?
horsedrinker says
Hello Iowa, on your gravity fed system you will need at least 20 psi to make the Bar-Bar-A functional. Thanks and good luck!
horsedrinker says
You will need a minimum of 20 psi for the unit to function properly. Thanks
Sam Johnson says
what is the head limit for cattle? I am talking 400 cows. will this work on gravity feed? as in from a dugout. What is the necessary pressure? are these proven in Alberta winters.
horsedrinker says
1 unit will water up to 30 head. You will need at least 20 psi and filtered water for the unit to function. Thanks.
Zac March says
What is the max PSI the valves can handle?
David Anderson says
The valve is rated to 100 psi but we like some wiggle room so we say 85 psi. If you are up in the high range you can put on a regulator. Ideal psi is 40-60 psi. 20 is the low end. Below 20 the unit will not function properly. Thanks for your question. Bar-Bar-A
David Anderson says
Max is 95 psi and the low end is 20 psi
Katie Parker says
What are some solutions to protect unit from snow storms/snow drifts? The unit seems lower to the ground than a 100 gal trough. I am afraid it might get buried like a boulder.
David Anderson says
There are many different ways to protect the unit from snow. You can use a 55 gallon barrel and cut out one end. Slide it over the unit and cut a window in front and secure it to the ground. A unit without any cover in moderate snow storms are not an issue. If you get 12 + inches you can scoop the snow off. Most places don’t get that type of snowfall. You can call in for more ideas if you wish. Thanks. 800-451-2230
Lora Goss says
Our farm is in a ledgey/ large rock area.What is the minimum number of feet to assure frost free operation and can rigid insulation effectively insulated if we cannot attain the 7 foot depth.
David Anderson says
How deep is your frost line or how deep do you bury your waterlines?
Connie Heggem says
How much water is drained\per day for 30 cows in Mt _20-or 60 above
David Anderson says
There is about a cup of water lost per drinker. Much less than evaporation caused by standing water. Thanks.
Steve Baker says
How do you fill the unit up? Do you have to have a water line running up to it or do you fill it with a portable tank?
David Anderson says
Yes, you will need an underground water line feeding the unit.