New England winter watering options for chickens

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Here we go New England! Time to prep for another winter season! This will be my first winter season with chickens and my biggest concern is water! I have most of the items to set up a heater with the pvc and the nipples, but will look to do that in the spring. This season, i will literally go outside every 2 hrs and give them fresh water if necessary. Thats not entirely realistic, so, i come here, to ask my chicken pros what some simple DYI ideas to get through this first winter. I do have a waterer that can be plugged in, but would still like some alternative ideas that others do. Was thinking of putting a water/feed into coop, but I dont know about the space in there. Throw me some ideas peeps! And thank you!

 

[Folly's place]

We have the heated bases for our waterers, and they work very well. Never would I want to depend on carrying fresh water several times daily, and also we added an all season hydrant next to the coop, after years of carrying water about 100' to the coop from the next nearest hydrant, when the hose we used in summer froze. Snow! Ice! Miserable!
@Alaskan lives in pretty cold conditions, and has excellent advice.
Mary

 

[aart]

My plans are to have a minimum of two water checks per day (morning & evening). On really cold days, I will probably add at least one mid-day check. This works for me because I’m at home all day.

My first winter I had 2 identical waterers. I kept one near the furnace to thaw and swapped them out as needed.

The other things I hope will help: putting salt water in a plastic bottle and place that in the bucket to help with icing; and putting at least one bucket in the sun whenever possible.

This does not work.

 

[3KillerBs]

Here's an article on a practical DIY heated waterer: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-heated-waterer-with-horizontal-nipples.67256/

And here's an article on cold-weather chicken keeping: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

 

[bruceha2000]

Toss a submersible aquarium heater in your bucket with nipples. Can't guarantee the nipples won't freeze though.

Like @K0k0shka, I've been using a heated dog bowl the last 3 years. Had to replace the first one last year but even at -20°F I've not had it freeze or even skim with ice.

 

[aart]

I was happy I wasn't lugging the 5gal buckets around

I've had up to 22 birds and only needed to carry out a gallon jug each day.

 

[aart]

I do have a waterer that can be plugged in, but would still like some alternative ideas that others do. Was thinking of putting a water/feed into coop, but I dont know about the space in there.

What kind is it, post pic or link.
Show us your coop and run, inside and out.

 

[Alaskan]

I too am trying to figure this out. I am in WNY so worry about winter is big for me. I read somewhere to paint barrels black as they will hold heat better to keep from freezing. Anyone ever tried this. It's about 75' from my water source to the chicken pen. So looking for good ideas.

I don't see the point in that.

I use the black rubber bowls. They are already black, and you can kick them about without them breaking.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

What kind is it, post pic or link.
Show us your coop and run, inside and out.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

If you have power nearby or can run an extension cord, these in a 5 gallon bucket waterer have been life changing:

https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Products...t=&hvlocphy=9002189&hvtargid=pla-387333272375