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A Fresh New Approach
A Fresh New Approach to Watering Animals in Pens and Loose
Housing
The Kendu Zero Spill waterbowl is a safe permanent method to
eliminate spills from splashing. The flexible waterer ensures a
dry environment with less labour.
Why I Invented the Kendu Zero Spill waterbowl
For over 20 years I watched my dairy cows splash water out of
their waterbowls all over their feed and bedding. It was my
daily chore to then clean up the wet mess. For years I looked
for a better waterbowl that cows could not splash water out of.
In frustration, I tried to make a waterbowl that would stop my
cows from splashing water. In January of 2006 I assembled a
contraption that was deep like a pail with a tube valve to
supply water. This crude invention absolutely eliminated the
water spilled from the waterbowl. I watched for several hours
as my cows drank from the new device without being able to spill
a drop. It only took a few hours to assemble this device which
solved a problem that had bothered me for decades. I assumed
that there must be something similar available somewhere in the
world to purchase but I was wrong. I decided to fabricate
something for my own use. Within weeks of using the new spill
proof waterbowls I saw the benefits for other farmers. I sent
out invitations to surrounding farmers to come to my farm to see
this new device and I was surprised by the large response.
I decided to refine the design into an affordable product for
use in a variety of applications. Many farmers asked to try
prototypes of the waterbowls in their barns. I sent many out to
a variety of farms and asked for feedback on its performance.
The waterbowl worked so well at stopping spills that I began
calling it a Zero Spill waterbowl. I also surveyed farmers for
their opinions on how to improve the waterbowl. I questioned
many farmers about what problems they have had with their
conventional waterbowls. I even set up a booth at a farm show
with an early prototype and asked for feedback. I received
comments from farmers on problems that had arisen with various
types of waterbowls over years of use. In addition to my own
experience with waterbowls I realized that there was a great
deal to think about when designing a new waterbowl. I would try
to learn from the problems of past designs to produce the most
trouble free waterbowl available. This waterbowl would be
designed by farmers for farmers.
How It Works
A high flow
tube valve is located inside a deep flexible bucket. The cow
activates the tube valve by pushing it with their muzzle in any
direction. The water enters the bucket as quickly as the cow
can drink but the level of the water stays low in the bucket.
Any splashes are contained in the bucket to keep the area around
the KZS dry. The valve is held by a stainless steel mounting
bracket and the flexible pail is supported and protected by a
galvanized back frame to keep it upright against a post or
against a wall. A poly plate supports the pail and minimizes
stress on the pail when it is pushed or abused.
Goals
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Eliminate spills from splashing, dunk overflow and miscellaneous
playing
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Maximize drinking comfort and waterflow to encourage maximum
water consumption
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Minimize maintenance requirements
Zero Spill
A simple common sense solution: Don’t stop the Splashing, Just
stop the Spilling.
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Click to enlarge |
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The Kendu Zero Spill
waterbowl does not try to stop the splashing. Splashing is only
a problem if the water makes it out of the bowl. The KZS simply
stops the splashes from leaving the waterbowl.
An animal splashes because they are bored and the only
toy they have to play with is their waterbowl.
Changing an animal’s natural behavior is difficult if
not impossible. |
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Some methods currently used involve spring coils or
inward bent rims. These are ineffective and make
drinking uncomfortable. Animals are still able to
fill the water level up to the rim and lap it out or
dunk their muzzles in to overflow it. |
The Kendu Zero Spill is radically different than the
conventional shallow rigid waterbowl. Water is contained in an
extremely deep bucket made from a flexible rubber compound. A
high flow tube valve is located inside the deep bucket. The
animal activates the valve by pushing it in any direction. The
water level is maintained at about 2 inches in the bottom of the
bucket. An animal cannot raise the water level above this
unless they submerge their nostrils to access the valve. The
distance from the water surface to the rim of the bucket is at
least 10 inches. The water volume is similar to standard
waterbowls, however the remaining volume of the bucket is
intended only to keep splashes contained. When an animal
splashes, there is no chance of the water escaping straight up
over 10 inches to spill out. |
