Freezing water

[GMoose]

not sure what to do when the water starts freezing, I have no way of getting electricity to my coop for a heater and The faucet I usually use freezes so I don’t really have access to water. Is there a battery operated heater? how else can I keep the water from freezing? Last year I carried water down each morning, I can’t do that this year though because I now have multiple coops for ducks/geese and chickens (my coops are far away from the house and carrying to each one would be extremly time consuimg)

 

[wamtazlady]

There is one way that "might" work without electricity. I have read that if you dig a hole, fill it with nice fresh manure, put the water bowl on top of the manure, the heat of the manure composting will keep water thawed. To what temperature or for how long I do not know as I have never used that method. I use an electrical extension cord and a stock tank deicer with horizontal nipples.

 

[RojoMarz]

I have a heated water that is power by a solar setup (solar panel, inverter and battery).

 

[The Truth Is Out There]

I have a heated water that is power by a solar setup (solar panel, inverter and battery).

I’ve been trying to figure out solar heat. My husband says it can be done.
Can you give detail how you did this? I would like to set up a solar heated waterer for my bantam chickens.
I’ve been just going out multiple times a day with water. All water is frozen now so I would like to figure out how soon.
Thanks for your help!

 

[RojoMarz]

I’ve been trying to figure out solar heat. My husband says it can be done.
Can you give detail how you did this? I would like to set up a solar heated waterer for my bantam chickens.
I’ve been just going out multiple times a day with water. All water is frozen now so I would like to figure out how soon.
Thanks for your help!

Husband is the solar guru. I know there is a solar panel, a marine battery (stores energy) and an inverter (I think it converts energy. The waterer plugs into this). There are also electrical wires that connect all the pieces together. Maybe look at a complete solar kit, to get an idea of what is needed. We didn't do a kit as Hubby wanted different components, but may be a good way to start researching.

 

[The Truth Is Out There]

Husband is the solar guru. I know there is a solar panel, a marine battery (stores energy) and an inverter (I think it converts energy. The waterer plugs into this). There are also electrical wires that connect all the pieces together. Maybe look at a complete solar kit, to get an idea of what is needed. We didn't do a kit as Hubby wanted different components, but may be a good way to start researching.

Thank you!
I will pass that on to my husband and see what he think.

 

[Hayden Goseek]

Thank you!
I will pass that on to my husband and see what he think.

I'm a retired electrician but I never actually set up a solar system (and we only get thin ice and about twice a year.) The only thing I would add is, make sure you don't have a lot of cloudy weather before a cold snap.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I just carry jugs down. Takes me a while for every stall, but without electricity, it's the only sure way

 

[The Truth Is Out There]

I'm a retired electrician but I never actually set up a solar system (and we only get thin ice and about twice a year.) The only thing I would add is, make sure you don't have a lot of cloudy weather before a cold snap.

Thank you! I used to own a horse and the electric fence was solar powered. So I am familiar with the cloudy weather making it possible for it to not work.
I am a stay at home mom so I typically check on my birds multiple times a day. And currently I am giving them water In a large bowl a few times a day since water is frozen outside.
Thanks for the help!

 

[The Truth Is Out There]

I just carry jugs down. Takes me a while for every stall, but without electricity, it's the only sure way

Yeah, that’s what I’m doing right now.