Natural Feed - Heated Waterer?!

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SgtLamie said:
Well dang! Why didn't I ever think of using one of our fish tank water heaters... Just started with chickens a month or two ago now that I am back in the states and have the time with out constantly moving to have chickens. I'm in northern lower peninsula Michigan and its been a rough winter on them so far. Definitely going into town today since all I have is a rubber container I been watering my chickens with. Yes, I am constantly going out to their coop to change the water to ensure its not frozen. Had one Polish rooster I almost lost last night due to I believe dehydration. Its was outside the coop in the weather just laying next to water source and eyes were stuck shut for about 8 hours. This morning one eye is now open and he is eating and drinking on his own. Thankfully. Definitely using your idea!. Thank you.
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Necessity is the mother of all last-minute hacks in my world. I wish I could say I was so smart and planned ahead, but it was really an "Oh, crap!" moment at 7 p.m. on a -15 degree night, and I stumbled upon this idea in a panic. Judd from Denmark up there -- now there's a guy who plans ahead.

I've found the fish tank heater works best on water-dispensers with nipples, because there's no exposed water to chance freezing. But really, if you drop the $9.00 to $15.00 on a 20-gallon to 50-gallon fish tank water heater, it's pretty hard to freeze solid all of the exposed water, on a standard ground/gravity fed dispenser. Even just a big tub of water would probably be fine, depending on the heater placement in the container. My water usually stays at about 44-degrees throughout the night, and that's on a 5-gallon dispensers, with a 20-gallon heater cranked up.

I'm glad this might of helped somebody. Hope it all works out and hope the rooster is fine.
Glad to contribute!
 
This is my setup a 2 gallon galvanized fount on a homemade heated base
400
made from a 4 quart Dutch oven used, that I had,
400
a bottle lamp kit, a 4 pack of 43 watt halogen bulbs and a thermo-cube on at 35F off at 45F.
400
About $22 total, not including fount and drill. It has kept the water liquid down to 4 F, the coldest so far. I also have larger halogen bulbs if needed. The first bulb lasted 40 days. I have bought double life replacement bulbs sense, I have yet to use as I am on my second regular life bulb. GC
 
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