permaculture

280 Facilitator’s Handbook for Permaculture Workshops

Field activity : Construct an animal watering system

Method : Practical design and construction exercise

Tools : See preparations below

References : PC Book MOD 10 - Animal Systems

Objective : Participants design and construct an animal watering system

Animals should have their own drinking facility, separate from human

drinking water, springs, wells, and water tanks. This will dramatically minimize

health risks due to contaminated water, as well as prevent damage and pollution of water

sources.

The overflow from water tanks or water sources can be diverted to animal

drinking trough.

The water trough can be:

• A simple cement trough made from cement bricks and cement.


• Or, dug into the ground and lined with clay or cement.

Preparation

• Identify an appropriate site.


• Collect tools for:
  
  
  • Diverting and running the water.
  
  
  • Securing pipes, digging trenches, etc.
  
  
  • Making the animal drinking trough – Digging and making the trough.
  
  
  • Creating the shade for the trough and planting the fruit trees.
  
  
  • Creating overflow food production system – Digging and creating the area.
  
  
  
  


• Collect materials for:
  
  
  • Diverting and running the water - Bamboo or plastic for pipes, wire, etc.
  
  
  • Making the animal drinking trough - Rocks, clay, cement, cement blocks,
    etc.
  
  
  • Creating the shade for the trough and planting the fruit trees - Bamboo
    poles, palm leaves, twine, fruit trees, compost, mulch, bamboo watering
    pipes, rocks, tree guards, etc.
  
  
  • Creating an overflow food production system - Water loving plants, mulch,
    fertilizer, rocks, etc.
  
  
  
  

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