Frozen Side Mounted Horizontal Nipples - How to keep them from Freezing?

[Terri126]

I have a 5 Gallon Bucket with 5 Horizontal Nipples. The bucket is located in a run which I currently have 2 sides covered with thick plastic to stop the wind and snow from getting in. I have the K&H Perfect Bucket Heater in there now, which is a thermostatically controlled 80 watt water heater. Well, the bucket isn't even 1/2 full, and the nipples along with the bucket of water is frozen solid. The temperatures here have been in the 20s the past 3 days. Does anyone have any ideas on how to keep the water/nipples from freezing? I would really like to not have to worry if my chickens are getting water. I can't leave the house for more than a couple of hours at a time so that I'm back to refill a bowl with unfrozen water. I would appreciate any ideas or if someone is using something that works. I've seen this one and read some reviews. Was wondering if anyone has had good experience with it. Or if I can just use my one, already made, bucket with a higher wattage heater maybe? would that keep the Horizontal Nipples from freezing?? https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/heated-poultry-waterer?cat_id=227 HELP!

 

[JMotuzick]

I'm using the same basic set up, inside the coop but with a bigger 250w thromostatic controlled heater. The nipples freeze on the outside Inside of them is still water. I have been braking them up every cuple days this week as it's been in the 20's for the last few days.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

well shoot ! Been wanting one of these as they sound the easiest to use. Guess not. Thanks for posting . Maybe if its setting on something different ? cement stays cold..

 

[JMotuzick]

Not bashing them at all! Mine are on a cinder block, only the outer tips freeze up after it drips a few to many times.

 

[sylviethecochin]

I just use a two-gallon water bucket without nipples or a lid. As long as I change it at least once a day, it stays pretty clean. It was 6 degrees outside this morning--I can't imagine trying to use nipples.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

I have been trying to find something for my dozen LF that will last a couple few days because I am disabled and even draining the hose is hard . So far I use the cookie tin heater I made but I have to flip the water container and its heavy . its a 2.5 gallon? 3.5 not sure

 

[blackdog043]

Well, the bucket isn't even 1/2 full, and the nipples along with the bucket of water is frozen solid.

Are you sure it's heating up?

 

[Terri126]

I am going to check that as soon as the bucket of water defrosts and I can get it out. I did test it prior to placing it in the bucket. But not sure it's still working. I just wonder if 60 watts is enough to warm the water so the nipples don't freeze.

 

[Latestarter]

If you're trying to heat 2.5 gallons of water in a plastic bucket that's located outside in temps well below freezing, you will NOT succeed with an 80 watt heating element. I used a 3/4-full 5 gallon bucket with broken pavers at the bottom to act as a heat sink, horizontal nipples, and a 250 watt automatic submersible heater that came on at water temps at/below 40°f and auto shut off at 50°f. This kept the water and interior nipple parts unfrozen at temps to -15°f over night. In the morning there would be little balls of ice on the outside of the nipples which I would melt off with finger tip pressure and rubbing until the ice broke off and the nipple flowed free. They would remain unfrozen throughout the day.

There is a rim of ice around the top in this bucket because I had 4 buckets on one circuit and popped the breaker without realizing it. This was NOT on a -15° night. After rearranging plugs and outlets, no more issues. I used these same heaters over multiple seasons. I bought them at TSC. Again, I believe they were 250 watt units.

 

[Latestarter]

BTW, greetings and welcome to BYC. sorry I initially missed that you're a new member. Lots of great folks here and a wealth of info and experience shared in the threads. Please browse around and make yourself at home. If you have further questions, by all means post them! Please consider putting at least your general location in your profile. Where you're located can have a huge bearing on recommendations/advice when you you ask for or provide help