Intensive and Within Houses

Within Poultry Houses

The success of the patented 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 drinker’s slim, triangular design prevents birds perching on it and allows unhindered flow of birds throughout the unit.

Although fixed nipple lines are most commonly seen within intensive poultry units, the Quill Drinker is becoming more popular as a replacement, or an addition to, the standard nipple line. One of the advantages is the drinker’s ability to reduce boredom and feather pecking, which fixed lines are unable to do. Those producers, who intend to purchase new drinking equipment before the 2010 ban prohibiting de-beaking, will certainly be at an advantage for their forward thinking if they invest in Quill Drinkers.

Where intensive systems are concerned many producers begin by adding a few Quill Drinkers to their existing nipple lines. Both the birds and the producers appreciate the unique benefits a Quill Drinker can bring and soon add more to their units as the associated advantages of the Quill Drinker over nipple lines soon become apparent.

The Quill Drinker also offers the advantage over a fixed nipple line of being able to be positioned throughout the house, preventing on some units, a wall of birds forming in front of the nest boxes. It also results in the poultry farmer being able to walk more freely among his flock.

For those producers wishing to change from bell drinkers to nipples, the Quill Drinker is the number one system to use. Unlike nipple lines where the change must be 'all or nothing', Quill Drinkers can replace bell drinkers at a pace to suit the proprietors own requirements. This means houses can be changed over gradually, even while flocks are housed.

Where bell type drinkers are present, the Quill Drinker is a direct replacement, so each Quill Drinker can supply water to 100 birds.

Price for price, fitting out a new poultry unit the Quill Drinker is extremely competitive with that of a fixed nipple line.

Feather Pecking

Fact: Boredom plays a major part in feather pecking.

Static drinkers, whether bell shaped or nipple lines, offer the bird no variation in their daily routine – they simply have a drink and move on to feed, or perhaps peck their nearest neighbour. This is where the Quill Drinker is fundamentally different. Whilst operating inside units of any kind, the drinker oscillates throughout use, making the birds constantly follow and look for the nipples.

This increases the amount of time each bird is occupied throughout the day and has been shown to reduce boredom and feather pecking between flocks where Quill Drinkers are present, either as the primary drinking system or as an invaluable addition to nipple lines.

Broiler Production

Although fixed nipple lines are most commonly seen within broiler units, the Quill Drinker is becoming more popular as a replacement, or an addition to, the standard nipple line. This is due to the drinker’s ability to reduce boredom and feather pecking, which fixed lines are unable to do.

For those broiler producers wishing to convert from a bell drinker system into a nipple system the internal plumbing of the unit remains the same. Therefore, a poultry unit currently operating on bell drinkers can be converted to nipples, using the Quill Drinker in no time at all. To convert a similar unit to nipple lines would take a lot more time and expense.