Winter Care for Kiwitech Troughs and Hydrants: Simple Tips to Stop Freezing
When temperatures drop, it’s not just us that feel the chill. Frozen water expands, which can crack pipes, fittings or troughs. The Kiwitech drag troughs, micro troughs and quick-connect hydrants sit above ground, and can be more exposed to frost than buried systems. A bit of planning and regular checks can prevent damage and keep water flowing through the coldest months.
Here are our tried and tested, practical ideas to prevent frozen depending on whether your paddocks are stocked or resting.
First Step: Setting up your system for easy winter management
Before winter hits, it’s worth thinking about how your overground water system is set up. Small changes can make frost management much easier later on:
Include vales or taps to isolate pipework: Install a tap or shut-off valve at the start of each section of your overground line. This lets you quickly isolate and drain specific parts of the system if needed (such as this compression valve).
Good setup means less rush when the frost arrives and more flexibility in how you manage your grazing system year-round.
Scenario 1: The field is unstocked for winter
If your grazing paddock is empty, we recommend taking a preventative approach:
Turn off and drain the line: Use your isolation valve (such as this compression valve) to shut off the water supply and drain the pipe completely so no water remains to freeze.
Store troughs undercover: Bring your Kiwitech drag trough or micro trough back to the shed for the winter and empty it fully.
Leave hydrants dry: Once drained, leave your Quick-Connect hydrant open so any trapped water can escape and the line can dry out.
This simple method removes any risk of freezing or cracking and means your equipment is ready to go in spring.
Scenario 2: Frosty weather with stock still in the field
If livestock need access to water through cold spells, here are a few effective ways to keep your system running:
Opt 1: Drain overnight
When freezing conditions are forecast, one simple option is to shut off and drain the pipe overnight. Animals rarely drink during the night, and this helps prevent water freezing.
Opt 2: Keep water moving
Flowing water is far less likely to freeze. If you’re on a private supply or a system where it’s practical, extend your pipe beyond the trough and fit a small tap or valve on the end.
Open it slightly for a slow trickle (around 2–3 litres per minute).
Let the outlet drain into a hedge or soakaway so it doesn’t create a bog.
This steady flow keeps water circulating through your Trough Pipework, and Hydrants and pipework without freezing.
Opt 3: Install an automatic frost valve
For fields that stay stocked through winter, especially those further from the yard, a frost valve can be a great investment. Also called an anti-freeze valve, frost protection valve or temperature-sensitive drain valve, these small devices automatically release a trickle of water when temperatures drop below a set point, then close again as things warm up. They’re easy to find online from a range of agricultural suppliers.
Final Thoughts
A little preparation goes a long way. Looking after your Kiwitech troughs and hydrants by draining, keeping water moving or fitting a frost valve will save time, money and hassle, keeping your water system in good condition all winter and ready for spring.
What Parts do I need to change a Kiwitech Micro Trough or Drag Trough from end-if-lone to in-line?
If looking to adjust your water system to allow water to pass through the trough tee (which is the water fitting that sits under your Kiwitech Trough) You need these 3 items:
