Heated waterer?

[Maggie13]

I am very thrifty so instead of buying a heater one we made one.
Started with a Christmas popcorn tin
drilled a hole to accept the light fixture with a 60 Watt bulb and filled it with pea stone for my heat sink

Put a small relief hole in the top to release some of the heat generated by the incandescent bulb.

And then place the waterer on top and plugged it in.

 

[Okydoky]

I was wondering if y'all recommend heated waterers? I am in zone 5b so it does get pretty darn cold! thanks!

we are in N Colorado, use heated water, probly got it off Feed store, in South Dakota i had free range didnt heat water, just filled the rubber tub frzn w fresh on top ea morning. Dif situation.

 

[Chicken mob]

I was wondering if y'all recommend heated waterers? I am in zone 5b so it does get pretty darn cold! thanks!

I would not want to do without my heated waterer! They pay for themselves quickly co sidering how many trips they save running out to refill frozen warer!

 

[MamaWolf7]

I live in zone 2b so when it gets to -10° to -40°, the chickens choose not to leave the coop. I started out using a heated dog bowl waterer, but because of the large surface area, it caused so much moisture buildup in the coop, that my cockerels got frost bite on their combs and the coop door kept freezing shut. I found myself with a hammer and pry bar trying to get into the coop on a daily basis. I switched to this covered heated waterer with nipples and there were no more problems.

It only turns on when temps are below freezing. It is advertised as only working to temps as cold as 0°, but it has never frozen up on me. I bought it on Amazon.

 

[Birdsong 82]

I have benefited with my goats with the 2 gallon heated water bowl I have. It’s really for dogs but with most of my freezing temperatures being only at night time and with only four goats has been more than helpful. I was thinking about another one for the chickens. It’s easier for the goats because they have electricity near their shelter where is the chickens Will need an extension cord. But for me it’s worth it those weeks or months we have below freezing in the evening. Especially since when bad weather hits I usually have to work at night because of the bad weather. So it’s helpful when I get home at 7-9 AM after 14 - 16 hour shift and just dead tired but I don’t have to worry about dealing with a bowl of ice. By that time I can usually turn it off and it’s good for the rest of the day. It depends on the climate I’m sure. And I always leave it just outside of the shelter. Because I don’t want moisture buildup but that way it’s easily accessible at the same time

 

[blackdog043]

Below is a link to my heat

I was wondering if y'all recommend heated waterers? I am in zone 5b so it does get pretty darn cold! thanks.

Here's a link to an article I wrote on my heated waterer build.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ock-tank-deicer-and-horizontal-nipples.74609/

 

[Iluveggers]

Bought this from TSC to try this year.

I may try Velcro sticky strips to keep the waterer from sliding off. My water is up on two bricks right now. Will just stick the base under it.

 

[LMDi60]

Heated water is one of the single best things you can do for your birds during the cold winter months. Dehydration is a significant winter stressor. I also use a heated dog water dish one inside the coop and one out.

 

[kmk]

I didn't use heated waterers for the first 7 years as my power options were rather suspect in their previous setup. I did the black rubber feed pan routine and it honestly wasn't a big deal. I moved and have heated horse waterers near the chickens and geese. Just built them a ramp to use one side of the fount. Still have the rubber feed pans but when they freeze solid they happily run over to the horses for a drink. I also ferment in the winter to get a little more water in them.

I didn't use heated waterers for the first 7 years as my power options were rather suspect in their previous setup. I did the black rubber feed pan routine and it honestly wasn't a big deal. I moved and have heated horse waterers near the chickens and geese. Just built them a ramp to use one side of the fount. Still have the rubber feed pans but when they freeze solid they happily run over to the horses for a drink. I also ferment in the winter to get a little more water in them.

Dumb question. Does the black mat require sunshine? We have many cloudy days in Northern MI.

 

[kmk]

I am very thrifty so instead of buying a heater one we made one.
Started with a Christmas popcorn tin
drilled a hole to accept the light fixture with a 60 Watt bulb and filled it with pea stone for my heat sink
View attachment 3284637

Put a small relief hole in the top to release some of the heat generated by the incandescent bulb.

View attachment 3284639

And then place the waterer on top and plugged it in.

View attachment 3284640

Bravo!