ANYONE USE A COOKIE TIN WATER HEATER?

[Fawn and Fam]

UPDATE: We finally got it working to our satisfaction

! We placed one tin inside the coop w/ a 25 watt bulb and elevated it. Where it didn't work outside because the water was still a little icy, it worked perfectly inside because of the slightly warmer temp. The 25 watt is plenty safe even if knocked over, where I was extremely uncomfortable w/ the hotness of the 40 watt inside the coop should it get knocked over. After testing, we made a second one w/ a 40 watt bulb for outside and placed in up on a cement block and put a terra cotta saucer under our plastic waterer so it didn't melt it. W/ the temp in the high teens the tin only feels "warm to the touch" where inside our warm house testing it, it would have burned my hand if left on for more than a second. We are going to purchase a Thermocube so they will turn on and off depending on the outdoor temp, that way we won't have to worry about them getting too hot. Thanks everyone

 

[Sharon Bee]

We are in the same situation here now with temps below freezing in S. Ontario. My waterer in the coop had froze last night in the little trough so that no more could come out.

This is my first time with winter and chicks. They are 6 mths old.

We are going to try the cookie tin heater idea. But we will have to sit it on bricks as we have straw bedding on the floor. And we will go with a 25 watt bulb. Keeping my fingers crossed. The chickens are ok with being this cold?

 

[Fawn and Fam]

I don't know but they would not come out of their coop. They have a covered run but the snow still blows in and covers all of their ground. Two days ago we wrapped three sides of their run in clear plastic. Now they are coming out and spending time in their run because it keeps the snow and wind out. I know they are much happier

 

[crazyhen]

Just a note of caution. Bacteria grows at alarming rates in hot water. Be sure you use the a ACV in it and change it often. If one chick gets sick the whole flock will get it quicker with heated water if it is open. The individual drip system maybe cleanner to use than an open waterer. I lost a flock to Mg one time due to heating water and one sick chick. I had rather break ice on water. Of course I do not have to many to do and they are close my home to. Good luck everyone this winter.

 

[DIYgirl]

Water should not be inside the coop due to the moisture. Moisture in a coop is dangerous in winter. Wrapping the run to keep snow out is critical in harsh weather areas because it encourages exercise. We don't like trudging through snow and neither do most chickens. Keeping the waterer outside will make the chickens come outside. It's a win-win. Good luck!

 

[Enid Stowers]

Yes a lower wattage bulb is worth a try, if the bulb breaks it's no big deal because it is inside the cookie tin. I switched to a 5 gallon bucket with nipples and
astock tank heater It works great with a built-in thermostat, a few mornings it's been 12 degrees and the water dripped out perfectly.

Could you detail out what you made and what nipples you used?