Frozen nipples finally working

[pdirt]

Don't let our experience put you off using the horizontal nipples....lots of folks use them in winter and with great success. i just need to take advice from the ones who have found the secrets and get out there as soon as it warms up above 30 degrees and use the idea I think will work best for me. I'd rather go out and spend a few minutes getting them to work properly in the cold temps than ever go back to the mess of an open waterer system.

Thanks for your post about your horizontal nipples freezing. Makes sense that they would freeze also, just much colder than the vertical ones.

Can you say more about "I just need to take advice from the ones who have found the secrets and get out there as soon as it warms up above 30 degrees"? What are people doing once it warms up that much?

 

[Cluckies]

Well, shucks. I had the nipple waterer out there with the tank heater for one day then when it got below 10 degrees if froze. back to the heated dish. I guess if I have to choose between frost bite and water i'll have to go with the water. This just stinks this year! it should not be so dang cold already!

 

[Blooie]

Thanks for your post about your horizontal nipples freezing. Makes sense that they would freeze also, just much colder than the vertical ones.

Can you say more about "I just need to take advice from the ones who have found the secrets and get out there as soon as it warms up above 30 degrees"? What are people doing once it warms up that much?

First of all, I apologize for not responding to your question sooner - I've been out of town for a week celebrating Thanksgiving with my family back in South Dakota so there were some posts I missed. I only had my phone to rely on, so checking in was sporadic at best.

And I wasn't real clear when I said I'd wait until it warmed up and use "the idea that works best for me." What I meant was that as soon as we have a warm spell I'm going to look deeper into what some other folks are doing and pick a plan to try that fits my situation. I haven't yet had time to do do that - and I'm not sure which invention or idea I'll steal yet!

When I do try something different, I'll keep everyone posted on what I chose and how it's working.

 

[Newchickey]

The horizontal nipples were freezing below 20 with the fish tank heater. We were headed into sub zero a few weeks ago so I broke down and bought a 3 gallon heated waterer, the kind with the red base that you screw the top into, fills from the bottom. Of course they kicked stuff up into it even though I had it set up higher on blocks. When I was taking it apart, I thought hmmmm, set the 5 gallon bucket on it. The lip of the bottom on the bucket fit over the raised edges on the heat base where you screw the top on...so for two weeks I have done that. Under zero it can still freeze at night when they are not moving the water by drinking. But I have two buckets, bring one it and take it out in the morning if we have gone really low. Not freezing at all during the day now, and the tray that usually holds the water in the the heated waterer, catches in drips from the nipples and no more frozen spots in the bedding! Double success. I am happy with this set up!

 

[Cluckies]

Could you please post a photo? I can't quite picture what you mean with the 5 gallon buckets...

 

[pdirt]

 

Thanks for your post about your horizontal nipples freezing. Makes sense that they would freeze also, just much colder than the vertical ones.

Can you say more about "I just need to take advice from the ones who have found the secrets and get out there as soon as it warms up above 30 degrees"? What are people doing once it warms up that much?

First of all, I apologize for not responding to your question sooner - I've been out of town for a week celebrating Thanksgiving with my family back in South Dakota so there were some posts I missed.  I only had my phone to rely on, so checking in was sporadic at best.

And I wasn't real clear when I said I'd wait until it warmed up and use "the idea that works best for me."  What I meant was that as soon as we have a warm spell I'm going to look deeper into what some other folks are doing and pick a plan to try that fits my situation.  I haven't yet had time to do do that - and I'm not sure which invention or idea I'll steal yet!     When I do try something different, I'll keep everyone posted on what I chose and how it's working.

Ah, not to worry, I take breaks from BYC too, sometimes for weeks!

Well, what you described makes perfect sense...little bits of water freezing up in the little cup until the whole thing was an icicle. Perhaps pawtraitart's seedling mat would be the way to go in temps that cold.

I also wonder if an aquarium heater might be better in such cold temps since it will keep the water warmer which would also heat the nipples?

 

[Newchickey]

Could you please post a photo? I can't quite picture what you mean with the 5 gallon buckets...

Yup, here ya go


This is what I bought at a local Farm and Ranch Store, water got messy fast and I was changing it a couple times a day. After having the 5 gallon buckets with the nipple waterers that would mean I fill every 5 days or so...well that wasnt fun when it was -10


I took the 3 gallon water well off and this is the base that plugs in. It has the outer lip and then the well that holds water when used in its normal way. Then there is an inner raised area and that is where the 3 gallon waterer screws on to this. You can probably see it better in the top picture.


My 5 Gallon bucket has a small lip at the bottom, its not completely flat, that fits perfect right over the top leaving the drinking area on the heated waterer free to catch drips! 8 degrees last night and no frozen water or nipples. Yay!

 

[Cluckies]

Thanks! I may try that!

 

[aart]

I took the 3 gallon water well off and this is the base that plugs in. It has the outer lip and then the well that holds water when used in its normal way. Then there is an inner raised area and that is where the 3 gallon waterer screws on to this. You can probably see it better in the top picture.


My 5 Gallon bucket has a small lip at the bottom, its not completely flat, that fits perfect right over the top leaving the drinking area on the heated waterer free to catch drips! 8 degrees last night and no frozen water or nipples. Yay!

Awesome!!

 

[Indoroowet]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/937220/share-your-inovative-ideas-here#post_14350776

This is what I have and so far no frozen water ...