i was reading the thread on waterers and the cookie tin heater and told my husband about it and requested him to build me one. he is some what helpful but the chickens are really my thing. he proceded to come up with ideas of his own. we ended up a TSC getting a bigger metel waterer and then to lowes to get heat tape(the kind for pipes in the plumbing section). so we are going to try taping with duck tape a 12 foot cord around a 5 gallon waterer. since it wount be really cold(5F at night) again for a few weeks, i was wondering if anyone else has tried it while im waiting for really cold temps. after we get it assembled i will take pictures. and ofcourse post my results after its cold enough to try it out. but i am dieing to find out from ya'll if anyone has tried it. i am trying to talk him into putting the tape around the bottom pan also and not just on the holder part. but he is assuring me we dont need to and that on the top part will be enough.