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Any geeks out there? I thought I'd go for a trip in the T.A.R.D.I.S. tonight to get my mind off of the cold I have. Ignore my pasty sick-face.
sickbyc.gif


 
Any suggestions on keeping the red bowl type Auto-waterers thawed out? Mine have a 5 gallon bucket mounted outside the pen with PVC running at a slope to the waterer. It had iced over for 2-3 days, but this morning it was a solid block of ice. I had to take them out a container of warm water. Tried to thaw the auto waterer with the warm water too, but didn't want to have it crack on me so I didn't make the water very warm. I suspect it's frozen all the way to the bucket. I don't want to spend a bunch of money for a problem that will likely only last a few more days. The run is covered so there was no snow in there and the coop is small enough that the chickens stay pretty warm at night. They wanted no part of the snow when I tried to let them out yesterday. It was pretty funny to watch. Usually they come flying (literally) out when I open the door, but only my blue hen (in my Avatar) came out at all. She took about 5 steps out, said to herself, "Cr*p..... that's cold!" then went right back in. They have not made any attempt to leave the run since then.
 
Audio51 said:
Any suggestions on keeping the red bowl type Auto-waterers thawed out? Mine have a 5 gallon bucket mounted outside the pen with PVC running at a slope to the waterer. It had iced over for 2-3 days, but this morning it was a solid block of ice. I had to take them out a container of warm water. Tried to thaw the auto waterer with the warm water too, but didn't want to have it crack on me so I didn't make the water very warm. I suspect it's frozen all the way to the bucket. I don't want to spend a bunch of money for a problem that will likely only last a few more days. The run is covered so there was no snow in there and the coop is small enough that the chickens stay pretty warm at night. They wanted no part of the snow when I tried to let them out yesterday. It was pretty funny to watch. Usually they come flying (literally) out when I open the door, but only my blue hen (in my Avatar) came out at all. She took about 5 steps out, said to herself, "Cr*p..... that's cold!" then went right back in. They have not made any attempt to leave the run since then.
Click to expand...
Probably use a standard water fountain--one that you fill in the morning and then take in at night. I do not think auto water systems work when it freezes unless you have a defrost system for it.
 
My garage has 24 hrs of light atm and the hens that are in there for the cold spell just started laying again after stopping outside...
 
chiqita said:
My garage has 24 hrs of light atm and the hens that are in there for the cold spell just started laying again after stopping outside...
Click to expand...

The color might make a difference but production is supposed to go down with 24 hours of light--it might make them start up but slow down after a while.

Do your have a red heat light? Some use ceramic reptile lights for heat but those things are expensive.
 
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