Water station question

[bklem]

We saw almost no deer on the western 1K acres of our place this year and our thought is due to lack of water so we are going to add 3 water stations in three of our feed pens that will also have corn feeders and protein feeders. I've read every thread in here I think, and have not seen anyone mention the corn being thrown into the trough. Is that an issue? I could obviously shut off the feeders but would rather not and definitely don't want to during the season. Or am I overthinking it?

For what it's worth, this is the waterer I am using.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/little-giant-automatic-waterer?cm_vc=-10005

[texsdr]

I use this one.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/little-giant-duramate-hose-stock-waterer?cm_vc=-10005

[14JKURX]

I use the galvanized one works great. Mine gets a little corn in it but it has never been a problem I think the coons keep the most of the corn cleaned out.

[bklem]

I use the galvanized one works great. Mine gets a little corn in it but it has never been a problem I think the coons keep the most of the corn cleaned out.

Kinda figured coons would clean it out. heck I've seen deer go diving in water puddles (back when it actually rained at our place!) for corn.

[bklem]

Anyone else had issues?

[Smart]

No issues here since 2014....mine are both open.

Feeders used to be a lot taller and still not any issues.

[bklem]

No issues here since 2014....mine are both open.

Feeders used to be a lot taller and still not any issues.




[ATTACH]1117404[/ATTACH]

Thanks. BTW- I am incorporating most of what you did to mine. I'll report back after we get three of them installed this weekend. I currently have 4 totes so am going to do 1 275 gallon tote at 2 stations and 2 at another. Will add totes as they become available. I do have another older tote to utilize water transfer.

[Smart]

Thanks. BTW- I am incorporating most of what you did to mine. I'll report back after we get three of them installed this weekend. I currently have 4 totes so am going to do 1 275 gallon tote at 2 stations and 2 at another. Will add totes as they become available. I do have another older tote to utilize water transfer.

Good deal… hope they work as well for you as they do for us. Once we got a system down including a fill trailer and 2” HF water pump, it’s been pretty smooth sailing …. Freezes get parts around the trough/ float every now and then but it’s a simple replacement

[hog_down]

Once we got a system down including a fill trailer and 2” HF water pump, it’s been pretty smooth sailing

Agreed on this 10000%, get a high flow bilge pump or gas operated water pump, or you will be there all day. I was fooling with 3/4" garden hose, and never again.

[texsdr]

I have 2 water totes. One at my feeder and the other I load in the back of my truck. 2" hose and let gravity feed. Takes around 15 min to transfer.

[Roy D Mercer]

We saw almost no deer on the western 1K acres of our place this year and our thought is due to lack of water so we are going to add 3 water stations in three of our feed pens that will also have corn feeders and protein feeders. I've read every thread in here I think, and have not seen anyone mention the corn being thrown into the trough. Is that an issue? I could obviously shut off the feeders but would rather not and definitely don't want to during the season. Or am I overthinking it?

For what it's worth, this is the waterer I am using.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...r?cm_vc=-10005

With that style tough i was always afraid a large antlered buck would have to rake his antlers on the fence to get a drink. I may have been over thinking it but i switched to cut down barrel.

[bklem]

I'm bringing this back to the top for a little more advice. Our troughs we used didn't work as well as I hoped. Not sure if they didn't provide enough water, quick enough or what but the deer really didn't utilize them much. Plus they got pretty corroded and the water flow was reduced even more. So, I am going to change things up to a water trough and float valve set up. I'm thinking of using empty molasses lick tubs as my trough. The smaller ones are about 12" deep and 20' in diameter and that would appear to hold approximately 15 gallons or so. Anyone done this before? Any other suggestions?

[TheWidowMaker]

We buried protein tubs with the float pictured above installed. add a slip union right before the float connection for when you have to change it out. critters like to chew holes in those plastic floats. deer and turkeys drink out of them all the time. we leave a limb hanging out of them in case any critters fall in and need to climb out

[Roy D Mercer]

With that style tough i was always afraid a large antlered buck would have to rake his antlers on the fence to get a drink. I may have been over thinking it but i switched to cut down barrel.

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This cut down barrel setup has worked very well for me. Just be sure when you cut the barrel to leave a 8"x10" section above the water line to attach your float. This will keep your water level near the top so that anything that falls in can climb back out. In my experience deer movement has changed dramatically by providing consistent fresh water source.

[hog_down]

not sure if this is BS or not, but deer supposedly will eat more protein if they have a water source close by.