Bird Watering

Bird Watering

Aviary Bird Watering
The Avian Drinking Valves have been used extensively by commercial aviaries and exotic bird breeding facilities across the country for years with great success. Using the Drinking Valve assures a continuous supply of clean, fresh water to the birds. Providing a clean water supply in sanitary dispensers is critical to maintaining the good health of the birds, and the Edstrom Drinking Valve does this for you.

In addition to eliminating the labor and time required to clean and change water bottles, producers also report that because they don’t have to enter the breeding rooms as often, the birds' natural activities are less often interrupted.

Both the Vari-Flo Valve and the Original Drinking Valve can be operated by most straight-billed and hooked-billed breeds of birds. The Vari-Flo Valve, with its low actuation force, is the preferred drinking valve for finches and other small birds.

The Drinking Valve should be located on the cage side at a height easily accessible by the bird, either standing on a perch or on the cage floor. By mounting the Drinking Valve horizontally, the last drop of water remains in the barrel of the Valve. This small amount of water attracts the birds to the Valve, encouraging them to play with the valve, so they quickly learn how to operate it.

When installed in large flights, it is recommended that one Drinking Valve be provided for every 20 birds. The Valves should be spaced far enough apart to prevent the dominant bird from controlling access to all the Drinking Valves.

Birds can sense water and will learn how to drink from the valve quickly by playing with it. If your bird seems to have difficulty, remove all other water sources, and activate the valve allowing a drop of water to hang from the valve. The bird will discover this and quickly learn that the valve is the source for fresh, clean water.

Components of an Automated Watering System for Birds

  1. Drinking Valve
  2. Distribution Piping
  3. Water Supply
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  1. EPDM O-Ring, Black, 0.299 3100-7256-109
    $1.25
  2. Float Valve for Float Tank 2030-0817
    $47.91
  3. Seal for Pressure Regulator 2100-6114-003
    $1.71
  4. Bird Cup 3/16" Barb connection 1000-1900
    $28.69
  5. O-Ring, Bird/Cat Cup, 0.114 3100-0447
    $0.75
  6. Vari-Flo Valve 3/16" Barb Brass 1000-8000
    $4.86
  7. Cap for Bird/Cat Cup 1/8 M 1010-0325
    $15.39
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The Parrot Valve

For the large birds like parrots, macaws, cockatoos, Edstrom has a large, rugged stainless steel Parrot Valve, 1000-4005. The Parrot Valve has a 1/2 inch mpt connection which can be easily installed in a rigid PVC pipe system using the Tee Adapter Fitting, 1630-2912-001.

Parrot Drinking Valve

Cup Waterers for Poultry

Edstrom also offers a line of Cup Waterers for use with all types of poultry including pigeons, quails, pheasants, doves, and chickens. Models are available which easily adapt to installation in the hobbyist’s facility as well as the commercial production facilities.

Edstrom Pivoting Stem Cup

Cup Waterers for Poultry

The Pivoting Stem Cup Waterer is available with either 1/8 mpt connection, 1000-0867-100, or with the 3/16 barb connection, 1000-1900, for use in a Flex-Tube system. The valve mechanism used in the Pivoting Stem Cup Waterer is identical to the design of the Original Drinking Valve. The bowl of the cup is made of plastic and can be easily removed for cleaning.

Q: Which drinking valve should I choose, Original or Vari-Flo?

 

A:  That depends on what species of animal or bird you have and its size.  The Vari-Flo Valve is smaller and is ideal for small birds because it is easier to activate. The Original Valve is slightly larger and appropriate for larger birds. We also have special drinking valves available for large parrots, and cup waterers for domestic fowl.

 Bird Watering Valve Chart

*The African Grey can drink from the Original or Vari-Flo valve. For this particular bird, it is important to use the threaded drinking valve and install in a rigid pvc pipe system.

Note: The drinking valves marked for each of the animals (except guinea pig) are the preferred valve choice, but it is possible to use either the Original or Vari-Flo valve.

Q: How do the drinking valves work?

A: To drink, birds simply move the stainless steel stem by biting or licking, releasing water. When the bird releases the end of the stem, the elasticity of the silicone rubber diaphragm located behind the stem head pushes the head back to the closed position, stopping the flow of water.

 

Q: What size of flex-tubing should I choose?

A: First determine the length of the cage rows. Flexible black tubing works well for cage rows up to 100 feet long. The 3/16" Flex-Tubing is designed for a cage run up to 50 feet long, and the 5/16" Flex-Tubing is designed for a cage run up to 100 feet long. The larger tube becomes necessary as the length of the cage rows increases to supply the proper amount of water pressure. All 5/16" systems also require 3/16" tubing for the short lengths extending down from the Tee Barbed Fitting to the drinking valve. Important: When buying 3/16" or 5/16" Flex-Tubing, you must also buy the same size Fitting Barbed Tee, Tubing Stand-Off, Drain-Vent, and Shut-off Valve. For example, if you want 3/16" Flex-Tubing, then the items mentioned above must also be 3/16".

The Flex-Tube system is easy to assemble-the tubing is cut with a pair of scissors and pushed onto the Tee Barbed Fittings. The tubing may be susceptible to abuse from birds; however, the Tubing Stand-Offs are designed to prevent this by holding the tubing away from the cage. Furthermore, abuse of the tubing is mainly associated with large birds. Important: Use of the Parrot valve requires a rigid PVC pipe system. The rigid PVC pipe system is designed for cage rows up to 200 feet long. It can withstand abuse from the animal such as chewing, but may be more challenging for beginners to assemble. The pipe must be cut and glued together and must be measured exactly.

 

Q: What water supply should I choose?

A: You have three options to choose from:

The Storage Tank is ideal for a small setup, and is refilled every day manually. It is also easy to medicate animals/birds with the Storage Tank. The Float Tank is connected to a water supply and automatically refills. This system is ideal for a slightly larger setup. Animals can be medicated by turning off the main water supply, and operating it as a storage tank. The Pressure Regulator connects directly to a water supply resulting in no tanks to monitor and fill. However, if you need to medicate, the pressure regulator must be disconnected and a Storage Tank temporarily installed.


Q: Can I use my own storage tank?

A: Yes. If you wish to use a larger tank for the water reservoir, the Tank Connector can be attached to it. You will need to drill an 11/16" diameter hole in the side of the tank, approximately 3/4" above the bottom.

 

 


Q: What other pieces do I need?

A: To complete your system you will need:

  • Valve Clips: used to hook the drinking valve onto the cage.
  • Tee Barbed Fittings: they connect the Flex-Tubing that runs horizontally along the row of cages, and also connect the short length to the drinking valve.
  • Tubing Stand-Offs: they keep the Flex-Tubing at a safe distance from the cage.
  • Drain-Vent: used at the end of each line to permit easy flushing of the line for sanitization.

 

Q: How many valves should I supply for a certain number of birds?

A: If more than one bird per cage, supply approximately one valve for 6-8 birds.

 

Q: Do I need a Filter?

A: It is recommended because it keeps the water clean and keeps the water supply equipment in good condition. It can be used with either a pressure regulator or a float tank.

 

Q: Should I buy one Tubing Stand-Off per cage?

A: Install one Stand-Off at each tee connector and one every 18 for additional support. Do not space Stand-Offs further than 18" apart.

 

Q: Do I need a Shut-Off Valve?

A: It is recommended because it allows you to turn off the water supply for an individual line if not in use. Remember to drain any lines that will not be in use for long periods of time.

 

Q: What is the maximum number of drinking valves I can use with the different water supply systems?

A: The maximum number for a gravity supply tank is 75 drinking valves, and 600 drinking valves for a pressure regulator.

 

Q: How do birds learn to drink from the drinking valve?

A: Birds can sense water and will learn how to drink from the valve quickly by playing with it. If your bird seems to have difficulty, remove all other water sources, and activate the valve allowing a drop of water to hang from the valve. The bird will discover this and quickly learn that the valve is the source for fresh, clean water.

 

Q: How do I put my watering system together?

A: Installation is easy. Check out our installation overview.

The Pivoting Stem Cup Waterer is available with either 1/8 mpt connection, 1000-0867-100, or with the 3/16 barb connection, 1000-1900, for use in a Flex-Tube system. The valve mechanism used in the Pivoting Stem Cup Waterer is identical to the design of the Original Drinking Valve. The bowl of the cup is made of plastic and can be easily removed for cleaning.