Frozen water heater...

[Cryss]

No, not usually but recently we had a deep freeze temperature day and I had to break up the ice and bring the water container inside to thaw. We are expecting another deep freeze this week. I'm just thinking...
Currently the unit, a standing type not a hanging type, is up a bit off the ground of the run sitting on bricks and a flat rock. Perhaps the rock and bricks are holding cold temps causing the heater to be ineffective. I'm thinking if I put a board on top of the rocks, under the unit, it would insulate a bit. What do you think?

 

[Tonyg503504]

no p. Is that a question or a comment ?

 

[chickens really]

Hello..I use a rubber livestock bowl up on bricks with a heat lamp over top. Although I run heat here for my Silkies.

 

[imnukensc]

No, not usually but recently we had a deep freeze temperature day and I had to break up the ice and bring the water container inside to thaw. We are expecting another deep freeze this week. I'm just thinking...
Currently the unit, a standing type not a hanging type, is up a bit off the ground of the run sitting on bricks and a flat rock. Perhaps the rock and bricks are holding cold temps causing the heater to be ineffective. I'm thinking if I put a board on top of the rocks, under the unit, it would insulate a bit. What do you think?

A pic of your waterer set up would help to be able to answer your question or make some suggestions to help avoid the freezing.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I have the water sitting on bricks in the run and it doesn't usually freeze unless the temp stays below 20F. You can try the board and see if that slows it down. I need to raise mine another inch or two, currently 5 inches off the ground and they still kick dirt into it. Can you set the waterer where the sun can shine on it?

 

[Cryss]

no p. Is that a question or a comment ?

I started with a statement, continuing from the title, the end is the question.

Hello..I use a rubber livestock bowl up on bricks with a heat lamp over top. Although I run heat here for my Silkies.

I do also use a rubber livestock bowl. The temp was 8F. It froze solid.

A pic of your waterer set up would help to be able to answer your question or make some suggestions to help avoid the freezing.

Here's the best I have on hand. I'm on my way to work so I can't take a better one.

I have the water sitting on bricks in the run and it doesn't usually freeze unless the temp stays below 20F. You can try the board and see if that slows it down. I need to raise mine another inch or two, currently 5 inches off the ground and they still kick dirt into it. Can you set the waterer where the sun can shine on it?

The temp was 8F when it froze and this week the temp is expected to go below zero, possibly feeling -11F. Feeders and waterer are under the covered portion of the run and not possible to move to the more open sunnier portion. It is raised about 5 inches also and for the same reasons as yours.

 

[Doc7]

My water bucket is on a cinderblock turned so the holes run vertically. I used a hammer and knock out a 1” spot for the extension cord to go in and plugged in a light bulb socket with a 60W bulb (actual 60W, not fluorescent equivalent).

It takes a LOT for water to freeze as the light bulb prevents the water from losing enough latent heat of fusion to freeze even when the water itself reaches 32F.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

My water bucket is on a cinderblock turned so the holes run vertically. I used a hammer and knock out a 1” spot for the extension cord to go in and plugged in a light bulb socket with a 60W bulb (actual 60W, not fluorescent equivalent).

It takes a LOT for water to freeze as the light bulb prevents the water from losing enough latent heat of fusion to freeze even when the water itself reaches 32F.

My chickens are too rowdy for that type of setup. They would figure out how to trash that in under 30 minutes. I'm home most days, so I just rotate the water containers as needed.

 

[Doc7]

I really don’t understand what your post means by trash it? Here are photos. The chickens fly around , jump on top, etc. how can a chicken trash this? @Wee Farmer Sarah

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

OK, I agree, I don't think mine would be able to take that apart. So is the light bulb underneath the water bucket?