Component watering system

Abstract

A poultry watering system is provided which is connected together by interlocking brackets, each overlaying one of the fluid conduit and support pipe, and a drinker saddle which interlocks with the bracket overlaying the fluid conduit. The support pipe bracket provides a connection element to join the watering system to a conventional suspension and elevation apparatus. The fluid conduit bracket can releasably interlock with the support pipe bracket to maintain the fluid conduit and support pipe in fixed relation, as in a floor system for raising poultry. Independent of the support pipe bracket, the fluid conduit bracket can releasably interlock with the drinker saddle to fix the fluid conduit within that bracket and simultaneously locate watering devices, such as nipple drinkers, at desired locations along the fluid conduit. This arrangement is adaptable to support pipes and fluid conduits formed from a variety of materials and can accommodate slight dimensional variances in the support pipe and fluid conduit. With this invention, special preparation of the fluid conduit to retain the drinker saddles is not necesssary and drinker spacing can be readily estasblished as desired on-site. Thus, the poultry grower or watering system installer can advantageously utilize locally obtained support pipe and fluid conduit. Further, the brackets are configured and formed with sufficient flexibility so as to allow the watering system to be readily snap-fit together on-site. Thus, installation, maintenance and repair of such watering systems are simplified. Where poultry are raised in a cage systems, the support pipe and support pipe bracket are omitted and the fluid conduit brackets serve primarily to secure the saddles to the fluid conduit.