Monday, December 5, 2005

Something for which I am thankful

When Cliff sold one of his cows and two calves last year, over $600 of the proceeds was used to buy the in-ground waterer you see in these pictures.  Then he spent many hours digging a ditch to run a waterline to it. 

Now that it's really wintertime (ten degrees right now, supposed to be colder tonight) I am sure glad we have this ugly little gem.

Up until this winter, we'd chop ice on ponds, or drag hoses around to keep tanks filled; of course we had to keep heaters in the tanks to keep the water thawed.  It was necessary to be ever-vigilant to make sure there was plenty of water for the animals, and to see that the heaters were functioning.  Have you ever tried dealing with plastic water hoses when temperatures are in the teens?  Of course you can't leave them out when you're done, because the water will freeze in them.  So you drag the hoses to the heated basement, only to be brought out again when the tanks need filling. 

It's so nice to know there's water available to the livestock now without doing anything.  Even the dogs get water there:  all the animals have learned to push the flap inward and drink.

There's a good-sized frog living in there, although I didn't see him this morning.  I wonder what he eats, now that there are no bugs to be found.

I'm editing to add something, because of Firestormkids' comment:  Another advantage to these waterers is that the flap keeps the sun off the water in summer, so there's no algae growing... and algae can be a real nuisance to clean out every couple of weeks.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey, anything that makes life a little easier is beautiful!  We just use Bubba.  LOL  -  Barbara

Anonymous said...

interesting... glad you have the water now in this cold weather. brrrr. It is sure starting out cold this year. its only 2 in Green Bay todaywith a wind chill of -8. the sun is shinning though, hope it is by you too, Sandra

Anonymous said...

Rob would have put that in quickly on the ranch in Mexico!  We had to fill big troughs or plastic tubs for the animals.  Cleaning them was disgusting.  It never got that cold there, but that would be a boon to the animals there . . .Blessings, Penny http://journals.aol.com/firestormkids04/FromHeretoThere

Anonymous said...

Ahhhhh.. sometimes "inventions" can be a good thing! lol..  Anything that makes our life easier is definately worth the price! (as long as it works and doesn't break down!)


http://journals.aol.com/deslily/HereThereandEverywhere/

http://herethereandeverywhere2ndedition.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

What a great idea. Saves a lot of work plus worry. Bet Cliff is glad he did all that work now. Helen

Anonymous said...

I know aboslutly nothing about farm's or raising livestock, so I find these entry's interesting; looking forward in seeing some pictures of the animals! ~Diane~

Anonymous said...

That is nice! I need to get a heater for ours. Lucky for me the water hose runs downhill so it never frezes shut.

Anonymous said...

The frog might be getting ready to hibernate.  I know our frogs dig into the mud around our pond..

Anonymous said...

Aren't you so glad Cliff got that??? Sure saves a lot of work and freezing to death, huh??
Be good and take care,
love ya,
Carlene

Anonymous said...

I never cease to learn to something new from you, nearly every single day!  
Amazing...

Jackie

Anonymous said...

Somethings are worth ALL the money, this definitely fits the bill. rich

Anonymous said...

If that was far enough from the house and he was thirsty enough, my husband would drink out of that.