Heated Waterer Leaking

[CountdownKev]

In this eleventh year with chickens I decided to buy a wire insert to heat the chicken water in my 1 gallon plastic waterer. But I'm finding that it leaks half the time, leaving a small area of ice on the coop floor by morning. I thought it was from plugging it in after freezing making the water flow over remaining ice, but keeping it on didn't help either. Ant ideas or suggestions? The one I bought was similar to this one: https://www.amazon.com/Shaledig-Chi...doy+chicken+water+heater,aps,135&sr=8-47&th=1

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

Can you test it without the heater in it at all? Sometimes those waterers will start leaking for different reasons, and you might be just seeing this now because before, it'd freeze up before enough got onto the floor, or things were warm enough so the bedding soaked it up before you noticed it.

On a side note, clicking on the link, I'd be concerned about using something like that. I have chickens accidentally step in my floor waterers all the time, and I'd be worried one of them would get their foot tangled up in that.

 

[CountdownKev]

Thanks. I've used the waterer for 2-3 years without leaks & I keep it raised up about 4 inches off the floor. My suspicion is that the wire going into the bottom hole is disrupting the air/water vacuum balance. Last night i simply laid the wire in the catch tray without going into the waterer body. We'll see how that went later this morning.

 

[amarsano]

I think you may be right about the wire going in creating an issue with the water flow. If it's blocking the top of the exit hole, the vaccuum will never stop, so the water will keep going.

 

[MROO]

I agree with @amarsano. Sounds like you've got an air leak that's breaking the vacuum seal.