Frozen water this morning!

[Miss Lydia]

I have one of the heated dog waterers, with 20 chickens it works great.

 

[Ed62]

Quote:
There are always restrictions on length of any extension cord. The length of cord, the size of the cord (in this case, he mentioned #12), and the amount of power needed all come into play. A #10 cord (hard to find) will allow longer runs because the size of the wires are larger than #12. A #14 (smaller) would not allow as long a run, if any (depending on the current draw needed). Don't take chances with a very long extension cord. That's an invitation for trouble.

Ed

 

[Ed62]

Quote:
Please read my posts on aquarium heaters.

I use three of them and have no problems. They work well and you can get them as low as 25 watts.

Please also note that with any heater and water they should be plugged into a GFI outlet. This goes for everything from a cookie tin heater to an aquarium heater.

GFI? Is that the same outlets they use in kitchens and bathrooms ,they have "breaker" so that if it gets wet you can press the red button?

If moisture enters the picture, the GFCI will trip on it's own if it is working properly. In order to restore power, you'll have to push the reset button, and that will only work after things dry out.

Ed

 

[Heidi Riley]

Quote:
GFI? Is that the same outlets they use in kitchens and bathrooms ,they have "breaker" so that if it gets wet you can press the red button?

If moisture enters the picture, the GFCI will trip on it's own if it is working properly. In order to restore power, you'll have to push the reset button, and that will only work after things dry out.

Ed

Ok, so it is what I thought it was ,did not know the name

 

[Cebarmlds]

I followed those instructions and made the cookie tin water heater today, well OK my DH did it- but I could have!

 

[shopchicks]

We're expecting temps down in the single digits going into next week, so I went to the local farm store today and picked up a tank heater. It's overpowered for what I need, but is thermostatically controlled. The one I got works as floating or submersible heater, and since I water using a 5 gallon bucket with poultry nipples in the bottom, I used the heater as a submersible. I'm taking my chances on using an extension cord, and will put electrical tape around the connection to keep it dry. Worth the $32 to have an easy solution to keeping liquid water 24/7 all winter for the girls. I also don't trust the aquarium heaters, since they're designed to work at higher temps. The one I have in my aquarium only sets between 70 and 88F, whereas the tank heater is designed to keep the water above freezing. I checked it after several hours of operation today, and the water was not warm at all (our high today was around 40 F).

 

[Wolfwoman]

I have to laugh when I see the frozen water posts, or how to water in the winter.

Is this really that hard?

I have two coops. I have 4 milk jugs with nipple waterers in them.

Each morning I take thawed jugs to the coops, and bring in the frozen ones.

Simple. No electricity or mess required.

If they freeze before nightfall and bedtime, they eat SNOW.

 

[sunflowerenvy]

Quote:
pic pls

 

[shopchicks]

Quote:
Sometimes it's harder than that.

I have to travel frequently for work, and don't want to ask my husband to do more than pick up eggs and make sure the hens are still alive and kicking. So yes, a heat source to keep the water liquid is necessary. It's often very cold here with no snow on the ground for weeks at a time.

 

[Wolfwoman]

Quote:
Sometimes it's harder than that.

I have to travel frequently for work, and don't want to ask my husband to do more than pick up eggs and make sure the hens are still alive and kicking. So yes, a heat source to keep the water liquid is necessary. It's often very cold here with no snow on the ground for weeks at a time.

That makes sense, yes. But there ARE lots of people that make it even harder than that