heated dog watering dish question

[Ridgerunner]

I took two pieces of plywood and put them together with some 2x2's between them. Then I cut a round hole in the top one to set the dish down in. I did cut a slot for the cord. They cannot turn it over, even if it is empty. I put it up on stacked bricks to get it out of the shavings so it stays cleaner. And I scewed it to the wall using angle brackets to keep them from knocking it over. Make the top board big enough they have a platform to stand on when they drink, or have it at top of back level.

Chicks that are still sleeping on the floor instead of roosting will sleep on the dish at night, but they stop that when they get older, or at least mine do. You could hang something over it to keep them from perching up there if it is a problem. Maybe an empty milk jug on a string? That would not be hard to push out of the way if you need to empty the dish.

 

[ambrosia]

I put mine out last week. Mine are on cinder blocks. I never have a problem with tipping (used them last year too). But some of them do perch on the edge of the bowl and I have to change the water daily because of dirt and feathers in the water. I haven't given any thought to covering it so can't help you there.

I have one... the large 1.5 gallon size from a farm/feed store. It also sits on cinders in the corner of the coop. Seems to stay cleanest there. I did have it more centralized, but moved it when I noticed they would scratch shavings into it....

 

[HEChicken]

For thoes of you that use these in the winter, here is my question. Do you have problems with your chickens getting into the water and tipping it or making a mess in it? Is there a way to cover the top to make it more like a traditional poultry waterer?

This is the only style of waterer I've used for the chickens for the past two years (i.e. I don't use a "traditional" poultry waterer at all). I've had almost zero issues with them pooping in it. I have a couple of pullets who love to get in and just stand in the water in the summer. I guess it helps to cool off their feet. When they're doing this, obviously more gets into the water, but even then its not bad. I've never had them dump the water or make a mess that way. The only other problem with this style of waterer is that if you live in a windy area, more leaves and debris will be blown in, but that's pretty manageable.

 

[karlamaria]

I used a dog heated bowl, ugh what a pain, it was constantly dirty and we put it high on blocks. We decided to go with this and are forever grateful for this gals video on how to do it and it's been the best thing ever! http://eggcartonlabels.blogspot.com/2011/11/make-cookie-tin-waterer-heater-under-10.html
My chickens have good water and we can fill up the metal waterer again and it does not freeze. And we can dump out some water if it gets messy and then set it back on the tin to keep deiced!

 

[ScottM]

Karlamaria, what temperatures have you seen your cookie tin heater work down to? Below 0F? And using what wattage bulb?

 

[ChickChickChicky]

I use a heated dog water bowl inside the coop. I jerry-rigged a wooden platform for it to sit on (platform is maybe 4" high, I just used all scrap lumber). I nailed a small lip around the edges of the platform so it couldn't get knocked off. Mine doesn't get too dirty, just a few shavings and maybe a feather or two, but I do think I'm gonna try the idea of using a plastic lid of some type as a partial cover to reduce that even further.

Ivan3, I really really wish you had a photo of your roo using the bowl as a hot tub, that is just too funny!!!!