Heated water bowl recommendations?

[CityslickerHomestead]

I have had chickens since the spring of 2019. Every winter (Montana, USA) we spends weeks with temperatures well below freezing.

Every winter I have to buy a new heated water bowl or device because the one I purchased the previous winter stops working.

I’m tired of wasting money, and would love to hear what others have used that lasts more than a season.

 

[littlecoopnextdoor]

Hey there. I have some experiences that I can share. I first bought a heated water dish about three years ago (this one in the middle size) from Princess Auto when they had a sale, but you can get them online at almost the same price. They are not cheap! My first one lasted a solid 3 years including through cold snaps of -30c. I bought a second smaller one this fall and it didn’t do the trick, I dont think it was strong enough. I went back and bought another to larger sized one again, which is about 60 watts, and it’s been great so far. This week it’s been working like a champ in the ungodly cold weather. I run the cord a short distance (2m) into a shed outdoor outlet w/ surge protection.

Hope that helps!

 

[rural mouse]

I'm also in Montana. I've got the blue heated water bowl for dogs from Walmart. Winter number 3. Still open water at -40. Alternatively, a crock pot set to warm also works, but the crock likes to crack.

 

[Anon112]

Getting the right device is important (and I am loving this waterer: https://www.pbsanimalhealth.com/heated-poultry-waterer-with-side-mount-nipples/p/16801/?v=2, the smaller size means I have to refill more often, but I think it also means the water stays warmer because it's closer to the heating element).

But you might also look at your setup. Is your waterer exposed to the wind? I was really shocked how, once I put my waterer in a location that is shielded from the wind, all of a sudden it wasn't freezing anymore, even in really cold temps.

 

[CityslickerHomestead]

I'm also in Montana. I've got the blue heated water bowl for dogs from Walmart. Winter number 3. Still open water at -40. Alternatively, a crock pot set to warm also works, but the crock likes to crack.

I used that one year, and it pooped out after a month. Maybe I need to try it again.

All the others I got from Shipton’s - the green or metal bowls.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I have stopped buying heated dishes/buckets and instead got a bird bath de-icer to place in my water buckets. It's easier to clean that way and, hopefully, less likely to break.

This is what I use: https://farminnovators.com/products/premium-birdbath-de-icer/

This 150 watt version keeps an entire 2-gallon bucket ice-free. These do have a three-year guarantee, but some stores might have an even better protection plan you can purchase.

 

[fldiver97]

I second the birdbath de-icer.

 

[debid]

Yep, I use de-icers rather than heated bowls. The Allied Precision one I bought first lasted more than 10 years.
https://www.farmandfleet.com/produc...qwR4oViAZlMpcHP4pnixRJcAroQ7mvKsaAttxEALw_wcB

 

[rural mouse]

I used that one year, and it pooped out after a month. Maybe I need to try it again.

All the others I got from Shipton’s - the green or metal bowls.

I have 3 of the blue ones, 1 on 3 years, the others on 2nd winter. They're in sheltered locations: inside the car port, inside the coop, on the porch

 

[Anon112]

De-icers have also worked for me in the past, especially with a horizontal nipple waterer. I am liking my heated 2-gallon waterers in part because the cords are longer.