Another question on water vs. freezing

[BJ37]

I may be getting lazy, but have looked for over an hour on this question, with no luck. --- I know it is summer, however I just got nipples and trying to decide which installation approach would be the best for us. If they are screwed into the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket, what is the minimum temperature of the water in the bucket to prevent the nipples sticking out the bottom of the bucket from freezing? (Outdoor temperature at -10 F) Would that be colder than what the drinking water temperature should be for the chickens? What is the lowest temperature for the water?

 

[4 the Birds]

The bucket will obviously need a heat element or be wrapped with heat tape. You may be able to get heat tape around the nipple to heat that as well. I'm also in a cold region and I use a heated waterer inside the coop. I like the visual of checking on the water daily and the ability to see that it is unfrozen. I see what you are saying about the bucket water temperature. Keep in mind that a wind chill can be a big factor with freezing.

 

[chfite]

In winter, I use a 5 gallon plastic bucket with nipples installed in the bottom. I put a birdbath heater in the bucket. It keeps the nipples and the supply water from freezing. It cycles on and off by the temperature of the water.

Given the thermal mass of all the water in the bucket being kept around 40F, the trivial amount of water in the nipples stays warm enough not to freeze.

Chris