Heated water base--safe?

[chick007]

yes you can make one cheap, but for me twenty dollars is worth the peace of mind and saftey knowing my coop is not going to burn down.

 

[nuttyredhead]

I live just over the border in NH and i use one for my flock of 16. It works great for us! We do use a galvanized waterer in the winter and so far it has stood up to the temps here!

 

[chicknerd]

Hi and Welcome!!

I live in NH and I use a heated water unit. It is galvanized and I set it on bricks in the coop so it is at a good level for the chickens and not in contact with the wood chips. It does keep the water from freezing and so far has worked well. It is a larger unit but I have a few more chickens than you do.

 

[keenecowboy]

I built one of the 5 gal water bucket from the site.
Your should have your water can or bucket up on blocks anyway.
If you look at that water heater you would see how simple it is, and easy to duplicate.

 

[karlamaria]

Somewhere on the forum, if you search, is a thread about making a heater from a cookie tin. I never tried it, but it looked interesting, relatively easy and inexpensive. We have a metal base heater from TSC - does the trick and doesn't get very hot. we have it on a piece of metal on a couple of cinder blocks to keep it up a bit and not directly on the shavings.

AND

we built a ton can heater, we are super pleased! It works awesomely and the water never freezes . Best thing we ever built. Cost 5.00 We did the electric dog dish, my chickens got the water filthy in an hour lol . The tin can heater is the best. Just put it on a few bricks and you have it made.

 

[Bullitt]

They are safe, but way too expensive.
You can build your own for less then 10.00

Tractor supply company has a pan that sell for about 5.00
Go to a trift shop and get a 100 watt table lamp and use the lamp holder and cord.
That will do the trick.

You can also just buy the light socket, an incandescent light bulb, and an extension cord. Most people already have an extension cord. You can also attach a cheap thermostat next to the bulb so the light only comes on when needed. Use bricks or cinder blocks to make a tight square, and place the light bulb in the center. You can set the light on something if you are worried about contact with wood shavings. Then place the plastic or metal waterer on top of the bricks or cinder blocks. This will heat the bottom of the waterer and keep the water from freezing.

Light socket: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Thermostatic electrical plug (plug the light socket into this and place under waterer): http://www.farminnovators.com/page14.htm

That electrical plug could also be used with a heat lamp to warm the coop when needed.

How to make a chicken waterer:

 

[keenecowboy]

You can also just buy the light socket, an incandescent light bulb, and an extension cord. Most people already have an extension cord. You can also attach a cheap thermostat next to the bulb so the light only comes on when needed. Use bricks or cinder blocks to make a tight square, and place the light bulb in the center. You can set the light on something if you are worried about contact with wood shavings. Then place the plastic or metal waterer on top of the bricks or cinder blocks. This will heat the bottom of the waterer and keep the water from freezing.

Light socket: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Thermostatic electrical plug (plug the light socket into this and place under waterer): http://www.farminnovators.com/page14.htm

That electrical plug could also be used with a heat lamp to warm the coop when needed.

How to make a chicken waterer:

Thanks for this info. I really makes making a heater easy. Why pay big bucks for the store unit. You have done your homework. I never knew these items were available. Thanks for your research!

 

[skrap]

chick007: Yes, I did mean pine shavings--whoops. Nice catch!

nuttyredhead, chicknerd: Great to hear that the heated waterers are working out for locals : )

Bullitt: Wow, thanks a lot for the resources. Very helpful : ) I may put my construction skills to the test this weekend.

 

[Chickenbrainiac]

The easy solution is to place a couple of 25 watt light bulbs under there to keep the base warm, but not hot.

You’ll have to keep the bulbs off of the ground as well to prevent them from breaking.

I use this on one of my chicken waterers, and it works fine. If you’re in a very cold environment, placing a couple of 40 watt bulbs in there will help.

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