Hard freeze in Louisiana...almost less than yearly occurrence...

[Baumshell28]

So right now in Louisiana we are having a week or so with some hard freezes. This basically only happened because someone, somewhere around here said something like, “Louisiana never/rarely gets snow or hard freezes...” Well, from their mouths to Gods ears, and the rest is history!
We made a few changes, did some temporary last minute COLD weather coop updates so the girls would have a dry and warm place to protect them from these winter storms all week, and to roost at night. Until last night, they have never roosted in the coop! They choose to roost in a kumquat tree in their run, but they won’t have that as an option until these storms & this freakish weather passes.
Here’s my issue: Their 4 gallon Flock Party water bucket and RentACoop watering cups are freezing solid! There is no physical place for me to get a heater for the water bucket; everywhere around is completely sold out of these types of products. I don’t want to order anything, as by the time any item arrives, all this will have passed.
Can I just insulate their watering bucket with like some pipe insulation, or styrofoam sill seal foam gasket (pic of styrofoam product included)??? Will insulating help at all???

 

[Kusanar]

It may help. Also restricting the size of the opening to limit the amount of cold air that can hit the water will help.

You may need to take them warm water a few times a day to make sure they can drink at least a few times a day rather than trying to count on the water staying liquid all day.

 

[ChicNmom]

https://www.achickandhergarden.com/...ur,sinks so it’s submerged in the fresh water.


**I have never tried this**

After our first winter with chickens we got a heater for the water.

 

[sdm111]

No its the water surface area. Around the sides won't do anything. In the time frame there's nothing that can really be done except breaking it up. Like you said by the time you order something itll be over

 

[sdm111]

the only thing I can think of would be an aquarium heater they get hot but the temperature may overtake it

 

[Alaskan]

I would simply bring them water in a dish/bowl/whatever you have... twice a day...

 

[Jeanw]

Hello, if a heated waterer isn’t possible, the water will have to be replaced during the day when it freezes. Or bring out some hot water to melt the ice, but the water temp should not be too hot for them to drink. If you have multiple water containers, switch them out during the day. Bring the waterer inside at night, they won’t get up for a drink in the dark. I use a heated dog bowl, but freezing winter temps are normal here so we have it on hand. We’re good as long as the power stays on. I’m sorry you all are dealing with this freaky weather! Anyway, I would listen to the Alaskan, knows better than anyone how to deal with cold.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

If you have to break ice in your chickens' water, remove the ice from the bucket, don't just break it and leave it in the water. Removing it will keep the water from freezing again right away. Don't use your hands, take some kind of tool from your kitchen like a slotted spoon. And as soon as you can, get some kind of heater for your chicken's water, a heated bowl or something. Plan ahead for more wicked winter weather, regardless of where you live. Climate change is real. This will happen again.

 

[jus10inla]

Amber!!!!! Hahaa hey. All we did was put warm water in there twice a day. It melted the ice but wasnt burning hot. Hell my birds hardly got out of there roost house for 3-4 days

 

[Baumshell28]

Amber!!!!! Hahaa hey. All we did was put warm water in there twice a day. It melted the ice but wasnt burning hot. Hell my birds hardly got out of there roost house for 3-4 days

Hey Justin! Welcome to BYC, friend!!! I wondered if that was you! I already had a lamp hung and pointed at the area with the roosting bars. All I had to do to keep it in liquid state was turn the bulb towards the waterer instead of the chickens. Since the bucket is in a corner smack dab between the human door & their pop door, I also stapled a couple layers of plastic sheeting starting about midway & going down to the bottom. It blocked a ton of those winds & still provided ventilation. My girls have never chosen to roost inside the coop; they roost in a kumquat tree out in the run. We had to chase them down right before dark & lock them in the coop...apparently they even prefer their tree when it’s snowy, rainy, WINDY & about 15 degrees out there! HAHA