Has anybody used a heated bucket with nipples?

[MadChickensVT]

Seems like hanging a heated bucket with nipples on the bottom would be a nice setup. Has anybody done it? How many watts? How many nipples should I have for 16 chickens?

Thanks

 

[Tofer76]

i use a 5 gal bucket w 3 in the bottom spaced just right so a round bucket deicer will fit in the center and it works great

im not sure a heated bucket will work as the heater is in the bottom and if u drill into it it would ruin the heater

 

[mstrrlm]

Use aquarium heater

 

[BellevueOmlet]

I use a heated bucket with cups and it works great. It is indoors so it keeps the water from freezing.

 

[Ogress]

I dropped a bird-bath de-icer into a bucket with nipples. When the temperatures were above 25 or so this worked fine, but then the temps dropped into the single digits and much of the water froze, including the nipples. The waterer was outdoors in the run. This winter I plan on using heated pet bowls in the coop.

 

[Tofer76]

mine dont freeze but i keep a heated dog dish in there too just in case

DO NOT USE AQUARIUM HEATERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i dont mean to offend anyone that does but they are prone to overheat and break causeing shock or glass can explode if level is too low . i have tried to use them and did some triall runs with 3 different ones last winter all ended badly !!!