Pail Drinker
From Jack Snow of the Central Ontario Combine

1. Measure 6" from the bottom of a pail. With a pen make a line completely around the pail. (I used black tape)

(The pail should have a slight taper top to bottom.)
2. For the hole pattern take a 2" square from a piece of cardboard. fold in half and cut the top round,
3. Lay the pattern on the 6" line on the pail and outline the pattern around the pail 1" apart. (A black marker works well)
4. With a knife carefully (don't cut hands) remove the contents inside the pattern. (I used a skill saw with a fine blade)
4, Make another line 3" from the bottom of the pail. Cut off the bottom of the pail and insert it through the top of the pail. You now have a 3" deep drinker.

Using Jack's idea and basic instructions I made the drinker pictured below. I didn't use a pail but a small garbage container I picked up at Zellers. It has a nice rounded top. The flap in the top has been sealed with silicone so it no longer moves.

  

Jack's combine uses aluminum crates with holes to the water almost the same size and shape as in the drinker. He tells me that when his birds and those of others who have made the same drinkers are put in the crates they go straight to the water.

BACK TO THE ACCESSORIES PAGE    HOME