Heated Water Bowl - Fire Started in Indianapolis, killed 6 chickens and 60k damage

[ptig78d]

It's also a good idea to put a heated dog water bowl or dog dish on cinder blocks so that:
1: the bowl isn't on the level with shavings or whatever medium you use for bedding in your coop, which will help keep the bowl cleaner.
2: it raises the level of the water bowl so the chickens don't have to bend over as far to get a drink of water.

If you don't want to use electricity for fear of an electrical fire, I'd go with the rubber bowl on a cinder block, for the same reasons I stated above.

Best of Luck and STAY WARM OUT THERE!

 

[wantedman66]

If in the insulated coop, even at -18 yesterday it didn't freeze all the way through. Outside it can freeze within a few hours. It really depends on how cold it is, how deep the water is, and how often they are drinking. With my ducks and geese drinking really frequently, they keep a hole in the ice for them all to get a drink.

My silkies have a smaller one in a different coop and it was not completely frozen yesterday either.. just the top. I use a heated dog dish for their fermented feed, which is saturated in water. They really don't need a whole lot of extra water on top of that, so I can get away with it.

I have 30 outlets in the barn so I won't ever have to use an extension cord again. I know this isn't possible for everyone - so if you MUST use extension cords, get the contractor ones. They are made for high dust locations.

I have a WAY larger flock than you. I have 170 birds. I fill water twice a day. All it takes is one five gallon bucket of water to carry down from the house if you don't have running water, which I do. 

Extension cords used to plug in any heat source is unsafe when left unsupervised. PERIOD. 

If you must use extension cords, like acman said, 5 feet or less. Check them often for any little defects. Someone on my fire safety thread just told me they had a electrical fire from an extension cord! 

I really hope people are listening to the advice of those who have had fires.

Once again Thats your opinion and I'm not going to get into childish banter about chicken amounts,whatever works for each person is all that matters your way or my is not the best but what works for us may not work for someone else,everybody has different set ups and may not be able to do it your way or mine.

 

[JackE]

I hope you stocked up on those bulbs to last a lifetime. The new bulbs won't heat crap. I shudder to think of how many chicks will die because people wont know the new bulbs do not put out any heat.

If you re talking about the new CFL bulbs, you are correct, they not only put out crappy light, but they would be useless in a coookietin heater. BUT, I've known about the phasing out of regular bulbs since BushTheYounger signed off on their demise years ago. So yes, I believe I have enough bulbs to last my lifetime, as they were cheap and I just picked up a pack or two when I was at the store. I have a bunch. So my tin heater will be in business for a looooong time.

 

[schnebbles]

I guess I didn't realize that outdoor ext cords were that unsafe. I guess I'll see if my husband can run electric. It's really not that far. I'm not sure how it all works. Would I just put an outlet in the coop? my coop is only 4x5.

 

[aoxa]

I guess I didn't realize that outdoor ext cords were that unsafe. I guess I'll see if my husband can run electric. It's really not that far. I'm not sure how it all works. Would I just put an outlet in the coop? my coop is only 4x5.

They will dig a trench, and wire it from the house. It can't cost all that much. We had our entire new barn wired with it's own fuse panel and 30 outlets for 6,000$. This is a 40x30 foot barn. What you are looking for is very simple in comparison.

Extension cords can be safe if you use them properly, and the right kind.

Like I said before, use a contractor extension cord. They handle dust and debris. That is your biggest worry. Dust itself can catch fire on a hanging lightbulb. Scary stuff.

 

[5jays]

I have done the same in those same conditions. My Aunt told me that when she was a little girl her father made her take a shovel of snow and put it in the corner of the coop. It never did any harm, and there chickens were always healthy. I do the same when it gets way to cold outdoors. I don't know about your chickens but when I go into the coop they always come and peck the snow off my boots.

 

[schnebbles]

Aoxa - not to sound stupid, but I want to get the right thing. Are contractor cords outdoor safe? I think I remember seeing them. I have green outdoor cords currently.

 

[aoxa]

Aoxa - not to sound stupid, but I want to get the right thing. Are contractor cords outdoor safe? I think I remember seeing them. I have green outdoor cords currently.

Yes they are outdoor safe. They are 3 times more resistant to abrasion as well, and most are guaranteed for life.

 

[schnebbles]

Thank you Aoxa!

 

[The Lazy L]

I do need to get one more outdoor cord. I have 2 - one plugs in my house and goes out under the door, then one plugs into that one (it's a 3 way) to the heat light and I do have a regular orange one attached the the bowl, but that connection is not in the coop. I really need an outdoor one, I'll put that on my list right now! I guess I figured it would be safer to keep the connection outside the coop.

I'd be concerned about the extension cord going under your door.

A door opening and closing, rubbing against an extension cord is rip for a disaster.