Workshop Module 10: Animal Systems 281Construction ideas for the animal watering system
- It should be at least 1m x 1m and 50cm deep.
- If it is dug into the ground, place rocks around the side to help prevent soil from
entering the trough. - It is best if the animal watering system is located downhill from a constant water
source so that gravity can be used to fill the water trough. - Provide some shade using a simple structure covered with palm leaves and plant
fruit trees for future shade and to make use of the animal manure. The shade
will keep the water and the animals cooler. - Overflow from the trough can then be run into a food production system
containing water loving plants. The food production system will use any overflow
and prevent stagnant water and mosquito breeding.
Running the exercise
Step 1 - Orientation and design
- Take the participants to the chosen location.
- Give the orientation and work with the participants to design:
- The water trough.
- Water inflow.
- Water outflow.
- Food production system that collects the overflow water.
- Location of the fruit trees.
Step 2 - Assign tasks to workgroups
- Ask the participants to divide themselves into 4 groups.
- Assign one of the following tasks to each of the groups:
- Construction of the water inflow and outflow.
- Construction of the water trough.
- Construction of the food production system.
- Construction of the shade for the water trough and planting the fruit trees.
Step 3 - Construction
- Have the workgroups construct their section of the system with the different
groups working together where needed to make sure the system works well.
Step 4 - Review results
- Review the results and the exercise with the whole group, answer any questions
they may have.