deciding on waterer-heated, nipple, hanging...

[mons02035]

here is an example http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4134008 . The wattage you would need really depends on 1. how cold it gets in your area and 2. How much water you are looking to heat.

I myself have a 5 gallon bucket that I put about 3 gallons in. I have a 25 Watt heater and it keeps the water very warm. I have it set to it's lowest temperature which is 70 degrees. I also have the heater plugged into a thermo Cube ( http://www.thermocube.com/ ). This keeps my heater from just running all day long, this way it does not turn on until it is 35 degrees out. I know that 70 degrees sounds like very warm water and it is but when it is 20 degrees outside, the water never actually gets to 70.

Also, just to note, the water bucket still has to be in an area that will not get cold drafts or wind. As long as it is kept inside the coop you will be okay.

You also need to make sure that the water level does not fall below the heater as this will cause the heater to overheat and not work (although some have safeties that will prevent this from happening) , so I mount mine almost all the way to the bottom of the bucket, that allows about 1 gallon of water to cover it up.

 

[jmtcmkb]

Quote:
Thank you very much I appeciate the information

 

[briter30]

I have no idea how the nipples will do in extreme winter conditions because I live in South Georgia, but I can say that I LOVE my chicken nipples! I did a lot of research before deciding on trying the nipples out when I started with chickens 8 months ago. I have a 1 gallon bucket (bought at Dollar Store) and put two nipples in it. I have yet to have any problems with them. My son (7 years old) fills the bucket up every morning as part of his chores, although only a couple inches have been drank by 6 of my hens. There is never a mess and they can't get their dirty feet to contaminate it. I did buy the screw in type and had to purchase a 11/32" drill bit to install them, but it was well worth the money! I bought them on ebay for $1.76 each...free shipping! Can't beat that!

 

[jmtcmkb]

Quote:
Thank you! I did order the nipples on ebay, and plan on trying them. If I ahve to change out 2 x a day I dont mind, keeps me busy

So for your 1 gallon bucket, I am guessing it has a handle and you hung it by chain? Trying to picture how this will work!

 

[briter30]

Yes, my 1-gallon bucket looks like a typical 5 gallon bucket, only smaller. It has a handle at top. I have got a hook screw at the top of the run where I screw it into the wood. Then I hung a chain down with an S-hook at the bottom for easy bucket removal.

 

[briter30]

I wold actually buy a smaller S-hook that will fit snug around the bucket handle so that it does not slide around...or just squeeze the S-hook with plyers to tighten the grip some.

 

[wyododge]

We used carabiners on the handle so they don't get knocked off. A bird bath de-icer is what we used, but the fish tank heater is less expensive. The fish tank heater keeps the water warmer, not sure if that is good or bad. There are pictures of our set up on our page.

We love the nipple waterers also. Very good system IMO.