Freezing Chicken Water

[jreardon1918]

10°F here in SEMO last night. Both vertical and horizontal nipples froze. Lid was frozen to the bucket but the water was above freezing @ 50°F. I think a cobbled up wind break is in order today. For now a heated dog bowl will be the water source.

JT

We had a similar temp in Southeast Mass. 8F in the run. I wrapped three sides in plastic last week. The stock tank deicer kept the horizontal nipples and bucket functioning. The water is shielded from the wind. Tonight is supposed to be a bit colder.

 

[jthornton]

We had a similar temp in Southeast Mass. 8F in the run. I wrapped three sides in plastic last week. The stock tank deicer kept the horizontal nipples and bucket functioning. The water is shielded from the wind. Tonight is supposed to be a bit colder.

I got the run wrapped up with a tarp on 2 sides and some plastic on the sheltered side. I'll see in the morning what I get. It's got to help. It's still open where the door is and a bit on the coop side.

JT

 

[kip5254]

Anyone have any suggestions for non electrical ways to keep water unfrozen? I'm in PA so we're pretty steading in the 20s and teens right now.

 

[jthornton]

Anyone have any suggestions for non electrical ways to keep water unfrozen? I'm in PA so we're pretty steading in the 20s and teens right now.

Change the water regularly and keep it out of the wind. If your bowl has a hollow underside some spray foam might help too. Some add a little glycol but I have no experience with that except for brewing beer and chilling my fermentation chamber.

JT

 

[GC-Raptor]

Anyone have any suggestions for non electrical ways to keep water unfrozen? I'm in PA so we're pretty steading in the 20s and teens right now.

A rubber bowl like this. . Dump and refill every 3 to 4 hours, at temps down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. More frequently in colder temps. You can hit it against a tree or rock to remove ice. GC
Edited to add, I got mine at TSC.

 

[CapricornFarm]

The only thing i have seen is where you dig a pit and fill with compost, then the heat keeps water in a bucket from freezing. Of course it is hard to dig now, maybe build a big box?

 

[tigger19687]

Compost pit really doesn't work well enough in my opinion, at least not in my temps.

ACV doesn't stop it form freezing either. Mine wouldn't drink it when i tried to add that when it was warm out. Glad I didn't wait till now to try it or they wouldn't be drinking

Really, try the Heated Dog bowl, $20 at TSC, only 25w and you run a cord out there.

 

[lazy gardener]

I don't think I'd be keeping chickens if I couldn't have my heated water bowl.