frozen water

[charlielynn]

whats best to add to water to stop it freezing for chickens

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I don't add anything to the water other than apple cider vinegar. There isn't anything I know of that will help water not freeze that won't hurt the birds.

Where I am at, I simply use heated dog bowls, the 1 1/2 gal size. They work really, really well to prevent freezing.

LofMc

 

[RonP]

Agreed, the only thing I add to keep water from freezing is heat.
There are several successful methods besides the links I have in my signature..

 

[TomZilla43]

Hi Charlie . Glad you could join us. I've heard of folks floating ping pong balls in water to keep it from freezing(I'm extremely skeptical of this). But for the most part you have to add heat in some form or fashion. I made a water heater out of an old cookie tin and the guts of an old ceiling light fixture, it works great with a couple of 60w halogen bulbs. I just kind of winged it...but I know there are a couple of posts on here about how to make a couple different types. Good luck resolving your frozen water issues and hope you enjoy your time here.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Heat is the only thing to add to prevent freezing. There are many ways to do that. Insulating the container can delay freezing, and even prevent out depending on conditions such as temperature and time at that temp. Or you can simply offer fresh water 2-3 times per day by cycling multiple watererers, using flexible rubber livestock pans is great for nonheated approach As you can easily flex them Bang them or what you whatever you need to to get the ice out without breaking them.

 

[PirateGirl]

I recently switched to a black rubber water bowl (per suggestion of others on BYC) and it lasts waaaaay longer before freezing up than my bell waterer and holds the same amount of water.

 

[ellend]

Hi Charlie . Glad you could join us. I've heard of folks floating ping pong balls in water to keep it from freezing(I'm extremely skeptical of this). But for the most part you have to add heat in some form or fashion. I made a water heater out of an old cookie tin and the guts of an old ceiling light fixture, it works great with a couple of 60w halogen bulbs. I just kind of winged it...but I know there are a couple of posts on here about how to make a couple different types. Good luck resolving your frozen water issues and hope you enjoy your time here.

The balls (or other floating things) depend on wind to keep them moving so ice doesn't solidify. Doesn't work in severe temp.