Domestic and Fancy Fowl

The Quill Drinker can of course be used on small numbers of domestic chickens or even fancy breeds of chickens, ducks, pheasants and quail.

Approved by Freedom Food, the Quill Drinker is a product that we know can dramatically enhance the life of all poultry.  Used inside, the Quill Drinker can take birds from day olds to adults in one simple process and offers a much more hygienic way of getting water to birds than a conventional bell shaped drinker or even a manual drinker. The advantages of using the Quill Drinker over an open water system, for whatever age of birds, are clear – the benefit of cleaner water therefore a reduction in disease potential, drier bedding and reduced time and labour for the poultry keeper (the drinkers do not need to be cleaned out and/or refilled on a daily basis) are all benefits that poultry keepers will observe, as soon as the drinkers are installed.

There are two types of Quill Drinker that can be used for domestic fowl - the Quill Drinker and the Mini Quill Drinker.

The Quill Drinker

The success of the Quill Drinker lies in the 10 high flow rate nipples fitted to each drinker. The flow rate through the nipples is controlled by changing the level of water within the drinker and can, if required reach over 100 millilitres per minute. This is achieved using the reliable and proven Rainbow Valve which is easy to adjust and has a safety shut off feature. Using the valve to control water flow is simple, the higher the water level is in the drinker, the higher the flow rate through the nipples, the lower the water level, the lower the flow rate and so on. This allows the producer complete control over the flow of water going to his or her birds. The nipples used inside the Quill Drinker are 180º, as opposed to the more common 360º nipple. We feel this is of key importance in minimising wet bedding and increasing the supply of water to the bird.

The drinker’s slim, triangular design prevents birds perching on it.

Rats can be a problem for the small scale poultry producer,  but use of the Quill Drinker can help play a part in reducing the problem. Keepers who use a liquid rodenticide find that rats have to use this as their main water source as they are unable to drink from the Quill Drinker.

The drinker is extremely easy to install - inside or outside, requiring minimal plumbing. In both cases the drinker operates from a small header tank (see 'Other Products') via 8mm water pipe. For use outside, the drinkers can be supplied with a strong galvanised tripod system, which enables the drinker to be moved regularly. This is important, as over time, the ground underneath the drinker can become soiled due to the heavy use that it will sustain. Frost will not damage the nipples or drinker, so it can therefore be left outside during the winter months. The adjustable legs on the tripod allow the drinker to be used on any gradient or type of land.

The Mini Quill

The Mini Quill is an exact replica of the Quill Drinker but is supplied with 5 nipples instead of 10. It is ideal where space is at a premium or where birds are kept in pairs or trios. The Mini Quill still has the benefits of its older brother and still operates from the Rainbow Valve, header tank and 8mm water pipe.