Abstract: Animal-actuated watering valve means comprises a coil of metallic spring wire having a plurality of convolutions and an outer sheath of a resilient material about the convolutions, the material having a substantially uniform radial thickness and exerting a radial compressive force on the spring wire along the length of the convolutions. An elongated actuator means for deflection by an animal is operably associated with the coil. The valve means is operable by parting or compressing the convolutions thereof, and is manufactured by threading a substantially uniform tubing made of a resilient material onto a spring made of coiled spring wire. The threading operation is accomplished by providing an uncoiled tail portion for the spring, first threading the tubing onto the tail portion, and thereafter transferring the threaded tubing from the tail portion onto a coiled portion of the spring.