Waterer for goats

We would like to get a couple goats sometime. But we have to travel once In awhile to see family. I. Trying to figure out a way to water them in the winter easily. I was thinking about getting a tarter water tank with a built in drinker. I can't find any pic of how it is set up. I already have some large water tanks if I could find a waterer of some sort that I could put in it and would stay thawed with water heater in the tank.

 

What about feed? When we go out of town I get someone to feed/water my animals.
Not sure I'd trust my goat with any electrical devices.

 

I got feed figured out. I just don't want to have to have someone come over twice a day

 

How much water they drink depends both on the goats and weather. A bucket each should cut down the need to give them water more than once a day. They make a faucet for cows where the cow learns to turn it on by pushing on it with his head. Maybe something like that would work for goats ??

 

What do you have for a water source and where do you live?

I live in Minnesota where it gets quite cold in the winter. I know three "farms" (including us) that have Richie waterers and they work flawlessly in our harsh environment year-round. You just have to do some planning to prevent the water from freezing. (Heat tape, insulation, etc.)

 

The local "farm engineering" solution for watering small livestock in my area was an old toilet in the barn. Find a post and use bungee cords or old cargo straps tie it. Water supply is a garden hose from the barn spigot. Winterize by zip tying heat tape to the hose, cover that with with foam pipe insulation, then thread that through an aluminum downspout or 4" PVC pipe to protect it from rubbing / nibbling. Drop in a 100 watt warmer into the tank and zip-tie it shut. Stack old straw (not hay) bales around it. Leave the seat up- better yet, remove the seat. And remove the flush lever; because horses WILL learn to use the flush lever and make a mess.

 

I am in Ohio and the only water source in the spigot on the house about feet away.

 

I'd be wanting to run a water line out to/near the barn or where ever you plan to house the goats. Here in tenn we can use those frost free water hydrants - not sure if they go deep enough for ohio.

 

Eh, (meekly) so, it sounds like you are new to raising goats or livestock?

 

No I grew up on dairy farm. I just hate bothering people

 

would imagine a shallow stock tank with a heater would work for awhile still have to fill it up though but if your not gone that many days.
the automatic waterers like Ritchie can also work well, but you would have to bury water and electric out to it pour a concrete pad for it to set on plus the cost of the waterer but once installed they do work well just not sure you want to go that route for a couple of goats.