Frozen water drinkers - how to stop it freezing

[raskusbo]

We are having really cold weather at the moment for us here in the UK getting down to -8c over night at their water is freezing solid right through, is there anything that i can wrap it up with that if the chicks peck at it it wont make them sick and will insulate the water enough that is wont freeze.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

Vicki

 

[Imp]

Maybe this will help- Cookie Tin Water Heater.

Can you heat the coop? or get a heated dog water bowl.

I don't have to worry often about freezing temps, but I water with warm water in the winter. When it does freeze here I change the water a few times a day.

Good luck

Imp


https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=107951

 

[catfish/okie]

A friend told me you can run a Christmas light and put your waterer on top of it. Ive got 2 and I rotate them out. This is what I do.

 

[mdbokc]

Think it depends on how cold you are. I do know the heated dog waterer handles temps to 5 - 10 below zero (F) without any icing up. 50w consumption when on and temp thermostat built into the unit.

 

[raskusbo]

Have had a look and we can't get heated dog bowls in the UK. Will look into putting a light under the waterer, if the waterer is made of plastic will it not melt it? and also will they not peck at the wire and are their beaks strong enough to break the wire and electrocute themselves.

 

[Imp]

I suppose it is a possibility that plastic would melt. Depends on the type of plastic and size of the bulb. Can you switch out to something metal or glass till the temps moderate?
I have light in my coop and the chickens can reach the cords. They have never touched it, but if you are worried, hide it.

Imp

 

[raskusbo]

Thanks will look into getting a metal drinker and put a light under it. Thanks for the advice.

 

[feathersnuggles]

During our freezing weather, I bring their waterer inside the house overnight. Once they roost for the night, I pick up their waterer and bring it in. Early morning, I fill it up with warm tap water and bring it back out to the henhouse.

If I left it overnight in the henhouse, it's frozen solid the next morning.

 

[raskusbo]

The drinker is inside their house and up off the floor.

 

[Imp]

Quote:
You don't really need to buy a "chicken waterer" Anything that will hold water will work. I thought chicken waterers and feeders were way too hard to clean, so I bought inexpensive stainless steel kitchen bowls. 1 for water, 1 for treats and 1 for pellets. I bring them in daily and wash. So if you have any container around use that. Stay away from anything that had chemicals in it, or rusty etc.

Imp