Good ways to keep water from freezing without electricity

[R2elk]

My method.

This method consists of fresh manure as the heat source and does not require any electricity.

 

[lcwmt]

Those who do not have electricity to their coops may have to take out fresh water twice a day. Those rubbery type bowls are fairly easy to knock the ice out of them. Others have 2 waterers and swap them in and out every day.

Twice a day watering was more than I wanted. Ran a heavy duty extension cord so I could have heated water. At -22 F my girls had thawed water.

We positioned our coop close enough to the house to run a good extension line and use a heated dog water dish during the Winter. 30 below this past Winter for weeks on end and the girls had water. Worth it to me. We do not provide heat or light, just an always thawed water source. (FWIW, our not so close Feed Store has heated chicken waterers, but they are only rated to about -15F, That's not good enough, here.)

 

[Tortoise]

Yes, that is one way people keep their water from freezing. There is no reason you can't use one. The problem I see with aquarium heaters is that the water is kept much warmer than it needs to be. Then there is the electricity needed to keep the water warmer than needed. I use a stock tank deicer that is made to use outside, is rated to use in plastic, and keeps 10 gallons of water thawed. It turns on at 35 degrees and turns off at about 40- 45 degrees.

I'm not sure what an aquarium heater that would keep water thawed would cost. My stock tank deicer has been through 3 winters and cost $35. Has kept the water thawed down to -22 F.

I thought about the stock tank heater also, although I used them as a pond heater.

 

[wamtazlady]

I thought about the stock tank heater also, although I used them as a pond heater.

I don't like to have to water the girls any more than I have to when the temperatures are below 0. In fact, I end up getting the young man across the street to do that for me. Instead of the 5 gallon bucket most people use, I tried a 10 gallon semi clear plastic tote with lid. I can easily see when it needs filled. It keeps the girls in water for a bit over a week so it only needs filled once a week in winter. With the tote, horizontal nipples, and stock tank deicer my water has stayed thawed to -22F. We haven't gotten colder than that.

 

[Tortoise]

I don't like to have to water the girls any more than I have to when the temperatures are below 0. On fact, I end up getting the young man across the street to do that for me. Instead of the 5 gallon bucket most people use, I tried a 10 gallon semi clear plastic tote with lid. I can easily see when it needs filled. It keeps the girls in water for a bit over a week so it only needs filled once a week in winter. With the tote, horizontal nipples, and stock tank deicer my water has stayed thawed to -22F. We haven't gotten colder than that.

Great idea. I love thinking out of the box.

 

[Folly's place]

I use the heated metal bases for the metal waterers, although I have also used a heated dog dish. Anything rather than carrying water out there twice or three times daily!
We ran a buried water line to a frost free hydrant at the coop, and last year had a buried electric line run to the coop, and had an electrician set up outlets and lights up to code, which made our insurance company happy!
It cost a lot less than having a fire, especially if insurance refused to cover the loss!
Mary

 

[CindyinSD]

I just bought one called “ultimate bucket heater”. This coming is my first winter with chickens (2 week old chicks at present) and it’s still in the box. We’ve had our first frost already—not enough to freeze anything but dew. I hope the de-icer works, but not sure how to test it without freezing temps. It did have good reviews. Still, I probably should have waited to order it until it got cold.

 

[New2Chicks97]

I am either going to get one of the heater bases for the metal waterer that we have or another of the large heated dog bowls.

I am not new to having to heat water or housing for animals. I have a heated cathouse and water bowl for the outdoor cat that adopted us when we bought the house. I also have a stock tank with a built in heater and another with a submersible heater.

I also have a radiant heater for the coop but may need a second when we get them moved to the larger coop.

I hate cold weather and snow so I try to have everything set up so I don’t have to go out in it often!

 

[Cryss]

Here's the heated waterer I just got from TSC. Have any of you had any experience with this one? I can't face another winter of changing water every 1-2 hours.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/k-h-poultry-waterer-25-gal?cm_vc=-10005

 

[Folly's place]

I've never seen that waterer. Try it out now; some are a royal pain to fill and tip over to stand up again. I have a different one that is very tricky to use without getting water everywhere. It's in my barn as an emergency backup.
If it's difficult to manage in good weather, you'll hate it later!
Mary