Attachment member for a poultry drinker and poultry feeder for use with

Abstract

A drinker, which is connected to a supply pipe, includes a novel attachment member that forces a bird's beak open during activation to deliver water directly into the bird's open beak so that the amount of water the bird receives is maximized. A pin is provided as a valve which selectively blocks or allows flow from the supply pipe to the attachment member. When a bird contacts the attachment member, the bird's beak is forced open and the attachment member substantially prevents contact of the beak with the water flowing through the attachment member, such that the water flows from the supply pipe, past the pin, through the attachment member, out an outlet on the attachment member and into the bird's open beak. A first embodiment of the attachment member includes a double-walled body member having inner and outer walls such that the water flows between the inner and outer walls. A second embodiment of the attachment member includes a single-walled body member. The pin has a flattened end attached thereto that is seated in the body member passageway. The water flows through the attachment member between the flattened pin end and the interior of the attachment member passageway. The advantages provided by the drinker allow it to be combined with a feeder. The feed collects in a feed pan suspended below the drinkers. A novel drip pan or troughs may be provided between the feed pan and the drinkers to collect any excess water.