First Coop Build, how’d I do?

[aart]

I will put a tank heater in this drum come winter time to keep it from freezing. I’m hoping that will be enough heat to keep the bar and nipples thawed but time will tell.

It will not, the nipples will freeze, then the pipe.
Better off putting horizontal nipples in the tank, or tanks if you need more than one.

 

[javarob66]

It will not, the nipples will freeze, then the pipe.
Better off putting horizontal nipples in the tank, or tanks if you need more than one.

I am still building mine, but I think all you need is a pump to keep the water circulating like one for an acquarium. If the heater is heating the water, then circulating it through the system should keep it working. That is two different failure points though, and would have to be monitored closely.

 

[Welllaidacres]

It will not, the nipples will freeze, then the pipe.
Better off putting horizontal nipples in the tank, or tanks if you need more than one.

I am not using a deicer, I am using a tank heater. De-icer's only get the water to 35 degrees and shut off. I’m going to adjust this heater to a temp high enough that it will hopefully keep the hoses and nipples thawed. It may still fail, but it’s worth the attempt in my book

 

[aart]

I am still building mine, but I think all you need is a pump to keep the water circulating like one for an acquarium. If the heater is heating the water, then circulating it through the system should keep it working. That is two different failure points though, and would have to be monitored closely.

Yep, if you circulate the heated water all the way down to the end of the pipe(s) it should stay thawed.

I contemplated doing a circulating system, but decided it was too complex to bother with.
Went with this:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-heated-waterer-with-horizontal-nipples.67256/
has worked great down to -12°F for up to 23 birds.


Welcome to BYC! @javarob66
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