Choosing The Right Water & Feed Trough

What To Consider When Choosing Your Concrete Troughs

Time to give your animals’ feeding arrangements a makeover?

With so many products currently on the market, choosing the right water & feed trough can be a challenge. 

Not to worry! As experts in the concrete trough business, we’ve got a wealth of information on what works best for our customers. 

If you need high-grade feed troughs that provide years of hygienic service, we’re here for you. To get started on selecting a suitable water and feed trough, take a look at five variables to consider.

Find out more about our concrete troughs now. Contact us online or call us on (02) 6632-2978.

1. What type of animal are you feeding?

Clearly the type of trough that’s going to be best for poultry is unlikely to be suitable for cattle! Troughs come in all shapes and sizes: having a good idea of its final use makes it easier to work out what’s going to be suitable.



If you suspect the trough may be used by a variety of animals, an experienced stockist will be able to suggest ways to modify the trough according to use.

2. Volume of animals and preferred husbandry methods

Bigger herds may require multiple troughs or a bigger trough than you have currently. You may need several troughs to provide on-going nutrition over a wider area. The best type of trough to use also depends on how your herd or flock is being farmed. 



Is water or food available on a continuous basis, for example, or only at certain times of the day? Will the animals be mainly outside, inside, or a mix? Are the animals to be kept on pasture all year round, or for part of the year? 

The answers to these questions help to determine what size and shape of trough are going to be best.

3. Location of the trough

Outdoor troughs need to be made from materials that are not only resistant to the degradation that the elements can bring, but which are also capable of keeping feed or water in a palatable state. 

A concrete water tank, for example, is going to keep water cooler (and therefore less likely to develop algae or harbour bacteria), than a plastic option. In addition, a plastic tank may become brittle as a result of exposure to sunlight, meaning it’s more likely to spring a leak.

4. Source of water

Many farmers are rearing their stock in areas where water availability is limited. The right type of troughs can assist with water conservation, at the same time as ensuring animals have access to the hydration and nutrition they need. 

Water conservation is an important consideration when picking a suitable trough.

5. Level of inspection

The safety of your stock is always a priority. If it’s unlikely that the feed and water troughs are going to be inspected daily, it’s worth looking at a design and material that’s as durable as possible. 

This effectively rules out plastic tanks, as they degrade with age, potentially increasing the risk of a piece breaking off to leave a dangerous sharp edge.

Get In Touch

Want to know more about choosing the right water & feed trough? Our experienced team are able to provide all the information you need, as well as cost-effective, bespoke troughs. Get in touch with us today.