Chicken Nipples

[koopmaster]

So no heaters in buckets?

No just edited my post, stated I'm thinking on a way to heat the 5 gallon plastic bucket waterers!!

 

[koopmaster]

So no heaters in buckets?

Open to suggestions!!!

 

[koopmaster]

I use both and have the buckets hanging in the run. I have bird bath heaters in the buckets that kick on at ~35 degrees. When the temps get below -10 both types of nipples freeze.

Very interesting.... bird bath heaters? Do you use 5 gallon bucket waterers? What size bird bath heater do you recommend?

 

[koopmaster]

Yes, floating heater in bucket.

JT

These floating heaters you speak of, are they plastic bucket safe?
Do you have a model # or better yet a link?

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

I have 6, 5 gallon buckets equipped with those horizontal nipples for my 3 flocks, each bucket has 5 nipples. I use 1 bucket in each flock, due to our winter temps here in western N.Y. state I keep the other 3 to change out when the ones in use freeze. I'm thinking on a way to make heated buvkets!!
Been using them for 3 seasons now... no issues.
I also used teflon tape on the threads

I wrapped a heat tape around one of mine that is like yours, and it worked well.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

koopmaster, a heat tape wrapped around your bucket should do the trick. Make the wraps closer together for more heat, and if your NY winters are too cold for that you can always put insulation over the tape and bucket. Just be careful because you can get things very hot.

 

[koopmaster]

koopmaster, a heat tape wrapped around your bucket should do the trick. Make the wraps closer together for more heat, and if your NY winters are too cold for that you can always put insulation over the tape and bucket. Just be careful because you can get things very hot.

Thanks henonajunebug!!!

 

[jthornton]

I have 6, 5 gallon buckets equipped with those horizontal nipples for my 3 flocks, each bucket has 5 nipples. I use 1 bucket in each flock, due to our winter temps here in western N.Y. state I keep the other 3 to change out when the ones in use freeze. I'm thinking on a way to make heated buvkets!!
Been using them for 3 seasons now... no issues.
I also used teflon tape on the threads

I use a floating heater, others use different heaters. I like what @aart has with an aquarium heater that the temperature can be adjusted. Now if I can find that post...

JT

 

[jthornton]

These floating heaters you speak of, are they plastic bucket safe?
Do you have a model # or better yet a link?

I have this one from Orschlens. Make sure it's rated for a plastic bucket.

JT

 

[jthornton]

I'd leave one off as a 'control'.

The chickens created a "control" nipple this morning and pulled one off lol.

JT