Heated waterer

[FamFarmer]

I found a pretty good solution for keeping the chicken water from freezing. I had bought a plastic heated pet bowl but then heard that it shouldn't be used for chickens. I'm not sure why but also it was a hassle to keep clean. I decided to keep a little water in it and place a pyrex bowl inside it that I swap swap out with a clean one each day. It has been working well even last Sunday morning when it was 12 below zero F. It only uses 35 watts. I'd like to find slightly larger glass or ceramic bowls but this works for now.

 

[Debbie292d]

I found a pretty good solution for keeping the chicken water from freezing. I had bought a plastic heated pet bowl but then heard that it shouldn't be used for chickens. I'm not sure why but also it was a hassle to keep clean. I decided to keep a little water in it and place a pyrex bowl inside it that I swap swap out with a clean one each day. It has been working well even last Sunday morning when it was 12 below zero F. It only uses 35 watts. I'd like to find slightly larger glass or ceramic bowls but this works for now.

I think the issue isn't what the bowl is made of, it's if your chickens have beards or long wattles, they get dipped in the water from a bowl-type, then freeze if it's below 32F.

I recently heard someone cut that bowl away leaving the heating unit, and put their regular waterer on it.

If your chickens aren't getting wet using yours, then I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[FamFarmer]

None have beards and their wattles show no signs of frostbite. I will watch for it. Thank you for the reply.

 

[Apis mellifera]

I'd like to find slightly larger glass or ceramic bowls but this works for now.

A larger metal dog bowl may fit better, and you could knock out the ice if you ever lost power or if the heater wasn't working.

 

[FamFarmer]

Metal bowl inside heated dog bowl. Styrofoam insert to keep the wattles out of the water. Hopefully they don't peck and eat the Styrofoam.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Metal bowl inside heated dog bowl. Styrofoam insert to keep the wattles out of the water. Hopefully they don't peck and eat the Styrofoam.

They'll absolutely eat styrofoam. Maybe not right away but once one of them gets the idea...

 

[FamFarmer]

They'll absolutely eat styrofoam. Maybe not right away but once one of them gets the idea...

 

[FamFarmer]

Yup. They destroyed the Styrofoam right away. Hopefully they didn't eat too much of it.

 

[AGeese]

Is there a reason you're not buying a heated poultry drinker or a heated base for a poultry drinker?

 

[FamFarmer]

Some are only good to 10 deg F. Some are quite expensive, some use too much electric, others a hassle to clean. I think I can work this out.