FROZEN WATER - What's the answer?

[haemony]

Quote:
It is confusing that the instructions warn against using a cord. I was annoyed by that because it doesn't mention it on the box. I decided to use it anyway with an outdoor extension cord. I know quite a few people who do this and they all seem to think that it's fine. Be sure to use an extension cord that is specifically for the outdoors. Mine is set up in the run with the cord suspended up the wall above the chickens where they can't peck it and it doesn't sit in the bedding. The base is up on bricks so it's also not sitting in the bedding. I think (hope) this is relatively safe although nothing involving cords or bulbs or any kind of electricity is 100% safe. There is a solar sipper in the run too but it only works when it's sunny and is often frozen in the morning.

 

[tdgill]

I second that Pitchfork! I dug our shallow trench by hand (just a short distance of 20 yds or so and layed the plastic pipe with wire thru it... I LOVE having electric in the coop/shed.

 

[abbylane35]

I have my metal heater base plugged in by extension cord...I have done this for several years during the winter months and have had no trouble (except for when the cord gets unplugged, usually by my husband to do something "quick" that he needed the outlet for...)

My mom just got my sister a plastic watering fountain that has a heater built in...it will be interesting to see how she likes that.

Good luck!

 

[wyododge]

Extension chords are rated based on draw, or amperage the appliance uses, and length of chord. I never use less than a 12 gauge chord for 50' or less (assuming i'm not running a compressor or something). For 50 to 100' I use 10 gauge chords. You combine a 50 and 100' 10 gauge, but tie the two together and make sure the plugs are protected from the elements (I use a bucket). Also, you can feed a power strip with a breaker in it and then run a small 12 gauge chord from it to your appliance. You can even cut the female end off of it and run the chord into a junction box and put regular gfci or arc fault outlets in it. I know, I know, my goodness your going to burn the planet to the ground!!! There are reasons for electrical fires, to much draw, not enough wire gauge, loose plugs or bent prongs. Buy good quality, rubber coated 12 or 10 Gauge extension chords, mind the amperage running through them, and you will be fine.

There are lots of options, that label is there because some dork had 300 extensions chords together on one outlet and burned himself up. Darwin is no longer in existence, lawyers are. so we have to dumb everything down, and protect everyone from themselves.

Use a large gauge extension chord, Tie the two chords together in a knot and then plug them in, the knot keeps them from coming apart, and provides a drip loop and place to attach a piece of wire to hang it above the ground.

 

[Linn Bee]

A lot of folks have mentioned using a 12 gauge extension cord.

What I did is make my own "extension" cord by purchasing 100 feet of #12 3-wire (with ground) - suitable for underground wiring - from the home improvement center, one 12 gauge plug and one 12 gauge socket. While I ran the wire from my house to the garden shed underground (60 ft/ in PVC), I ran the rest of the wire (another 30 ft) as a cord to the coop until I can get that buried next spring as well.

For the little e- I use in the coop - just supplemental light and water heater. It's been working just fine for me.

 

[blackbelt]

I've used an extension for years with no problem, use an out door cord, they use them for Christmas lights every year. You might want to keep it off the ground, I used to use my fishing pole hangers, now my winter chickens are in the barn and the barn is heated so no more cords for me. But they do work and it is less hassle for you .

 

[chick007]

the best thing i have found is a battery tray warmer that i put between a couple of ceramic tiles. this i the same 60 watt heater that you use to keep your battery in your car from freezing in extreme temps. i live in anchorage,alaska we often get temps below 0 degrees farenheight, and i have found that this works best for me. and you can use all existing waterers as you just place on tiles, mine are plastic. can find them on amazon and most hadware, or automotve stores.

 

[del gallinero]

The battery warmer is a neat idea. It must work -- you're in Alaska ! And I was wondering about using that heavy gauge wire that they use for underground. Thanks for sharing the idea for making the extension out of that. I'm so glad people are sharing their ideas of dealing with frozen water. Now the "problem" doesn't seem insurmountable for those w/o electricity in the coop. Thanks to all for sharing their ideas.

 

[CapricornFarm]

If you hang a 75 watt bulb near the waterer, enough stays thawed so they can drink. Works for me. I bought heated dog bowls, but not many lasted more than a year, too pricey at that rate.

 

[swamy]

A person could easily rig up the same solar system that we use on automatic pop doors. Only instead of a string pulling a door up it could pull a strainer type object up and down through the water dish on a set schedule to prevent ice formation. Say, once every hour. The amount of travel and power used would be very small....I would think a solar charging sytem would keep up depending on how many times a day you needed movement to stay ice free.