Trough Cover?

JenJ

JenJ

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Don't know if I'm being lazy, stupid, or a genius, but here goes...

A month or so ago the fields next to mine were sprayed for ragwort, and so I covered my trough in case the wind blew any chemicals over my way. As it turned out, the cover was on for almost a week as I hadn't realised the spraying had been done. When I took the cover off, the water was beautifully clear and had no poo/insects/other crap in it, whereas it usually starts going green within a day of cleaning and refilling.

As my girls are out overnight, I was wondering if it would be worth covering the trough in the daytime when they're stabled, to reduce how much sunlight gets to it, and stop 'things' landing in it. Is there any reason not to do this, other than it being a faff?

And does anyone know of any specific trough covers that may be available, rather than wrestling with a massive tarpaulin? Or would something like a dark-coloured fitted crib/bedsheet work - it wouldn't need to be waterproof, just something to block the sunlight and catch any droppings.
 
If you've got a sewing machine, then you could cut out and sew a cover using one of the cheap woven polythene tarps from eBay.

I made a cover for our patio furniture from one (3x4m @ £12) and it's been great. I cut off the border with the eyelets and then re-sewed that back on along the bottom, and then added bungee cord loops to loop under the furniture. I'm really pleased with it, it's easy to use and was very cheap to make.

You could do something similar for the water troughs - tbh you may get away with a 2m x 3m which would be about £8, plus the bungee cord @ about £3. 😊
 
Northern Hare said:
If you've got a sewing machine, then you could cut out and sew a cover using one of the cheap woven polythene tarps from eBay.

I made a cover for our patio furniture from one (3x4m @ £12) and it's been great. I cut off the border with the eyelets and then re-sewed that back on along the bottom, and then added bungee cord loops to loop under the furniture. I'm really pleased with it, it's easy to use and was very cheap to make.

You could do something similar for the water troughs - tbh you may get away with a 2m x 3m which would be about £8, plus the bungee cord @ about £3. 😊
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I'm really not much of a sewer, but I am a big fan of velcro tape, which may work almost as well, and I already have plenty of bungee cord - I'll have to start measuring up, thanks!
 
Highmileagecob said:
If you are filling it with tap water, it will turn green very quickly. Rain water will stay clear a lot longer. Does it have to be a fabric cover, or would a sheet of OBS board work?
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It's connected to the mains, but the algae develops in the sunlight. There wasn't a hint of green when it had been covered for a week.

I'd prefer a flexible option rather than a board I think.
 
I have found what would be absolutely perfect if my trough was slightly longer and wider (😂😂😂), but should still work well enough... sun lounger covers! They are the right sort of shape and size and even have one end higher so the auto-tappy-ballcocky bit can fit under neatly! 😂

Probably this one:

 
I have a trough to catch water off my barn roof. The sheep can't reach it to drink out of it anyway so I keep it covered by boards to stop it going green. Helps to stop mosquitos breeding in it too. I just bale water out of it for the sheep. Highly recomend keeping troughs coverd in daylight if not needed for stock.
 
My field neighbour covers hers with a large piece of ply board. I assume this is why. I have thought about it, but algae manufacture a few micro-nutrients, including vitamin D3, so I don't clean my trough half as often as I used to and just scoop out excess debris.
 
Fransurrey said:
My field neighbour covers hers with a large piece of ply board. I assume this is why. I have thought about it, but algae manufacture a few micro-nutrients, including vitamin D3, so I don't clean my trough half as often as I used to and just scoop out excess debris.
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To be fair, many horses seem to head straight for a 'filthy' trough for a drink at turnout when they've spent the last few hours in a stable ignoring a bucket clean, fresh water...! 🤷‍♂️😂
 
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