Here are the instructions:
Get an Igloo cooler (I prefer the smaller one) and remove the valve at the
bottom. After
that you get a 1/2" PVC nipple and screw it in where
the valve was and put the black lambs nipple over
the end of the PVC nipple.
You get an Igloo cooler (or something like it) and
remove the spigot. Get a piece of plastic pipe
(that
is threaded at the end. It comes in long pieces, so
will have to cut it.) that will screw in where the
spigot was. (Lowes, Menards, and Tractor Supply have
them.
Use a lamb’s nipple over the end of the plastic pipe
and secure it with a hose clamp. Mix up
your milk
replacer and put it in the cooler and replace the
lid. This not only will keep the milk warm but will
also keep the flies out. Replace the milk every 12
hours. You can hang it on the fence or on the
inside of the stall. Then it’s just teaching the
foal to suck from it instead of the bottle.
If you can't
find a small Igloo cooler anywhere. Use a Coleman 1
gallon cooler that has a spout on the top.
From there I took
the cooler to Menard's and bought the following:
2 - 2" long x 1/2" diameter PVC threaded nipples
1 - 1/2" threaded PVC coupler
1- 3/4"x1/2" SPGXT PVC bushing - the 1/2" end of
this bushing is threaded.
Finding gaskets was a problem - but I ended up
buying 2 - 3/4" electrical union kits. Each kit has
a rubber washer in it that will fit over the 1/2"
PVC nipples.
Inside the cooler there is a flat area at the bottom
where the valve would go if it had one. I drilled a
hole through the cooler so it would come through
that flat area inside. You'll have to use either a
5/8" or 3/4" wood drill bit to drill the hole
because the outside diameter of 1/2" PVC pipe is
about 3/4". I would suggest matching up the drill
bit to your pipe before drilling the hole. Make sure
you drill the hole high enough that you can fit the
bushing on the 1/2" nipple on the inside of the
cooler.
After drilling the hole - slide 1 of the 2" X 1/2"
nipples through it. It should fit tightly and you
may have to beat on it a little to get it all the
way through, making sure you have plenty of thread
showing on both the inside & outside of the cooler.
Place 1 of the washers over the nipple on the inside
of the cooler and screw the bushing onto it hand
tight. Take the other washer and put it over the
nipple on the outside of the cooler and then screw
the coupler onto that side of the nipple, again hand
tight. Then take a couple of pairs of channel locks
and with one pair hold the inside bushing while
you're using the other pair to screw the coupler on
tight. This should draw both washers tight to the
cooler body and most likely pull in the outside of
the cooler somewhat. After this screw in the
remaining 2"x1/2" nipple on the other end of the
coupler and put the black lambs nipple over the open
end. Secure the lambs nipple with a wire tie as
tight as you can.
VOILA - you now have a orphan foal
feeder!!!!!
If there is
a slight drip coming from where the 2"x1/2"
nipple goes
through the cooler, put a bead of silicone
caulking around it on the outside
of the cooler to try to
stop it.
Hope this helps anybody else who has an
orphan foal!
REMEMBER:
Replace
the milk every 12 hours.
Thank
you Russell Ellis! |
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