Heated Waterer?

[trilyn]

This is what I just did, got a bucket from Home Depot, used 3 nipples on the bottom (silicone-food safe) and hung it from a bucket hook I got from the feed store. Dropped in a deicer and used a thermocube in the outlet so it will turn on at 35 degrees and shut off at 45 degrees. I'm really hoping this setup works, because we have 4 horses too and I HATE chopping ice out of buckets!! lol I'm hoping to at least make my coop chores a bit easier. The deicer is safe for up to 15 gallons of water and it cost me 34.00 with tax, pricey, but if it works-so worth it!! My only concern is the nipples freezing, but I think if the chickens peck at it and the water is thawed, then wouldn't it be the same concept as throwing water on a frozen car door? That always worked for me when I couldn't get the darn thing open.

 

[Tala]

I got http://www.tractorsupply.com/pet-ca...easons-electric-heated-pet-bowl-5-qt--2411794 from TSC last night. Was about 23*F and the water didn't freeze. Now my main problem is that my chicks aren't in the main coop yet, so they have a lightbulb over their water bowl and it's keeping them awake at night. They free range with the adults, but I don't think they are ready to be penned in the coop where they can't get away from the adults until I get up and let them out. Chickens just MUST get themselves up at the veeeery crack of dawn

 

[CityClucks]

I have a 5 gallon galvanized metal waterer outside in the chicken run on some bricks. I ran an extension cord out to the run and plug a Kats 50 watt silicone battery heater on the bricks under the waterer. So far the water hasn't frozen, while the water I have inside the coop has. Here's a picture of the battery heater - they come in several sizes and wattages.

 

[ksct]

for everyone that uses the heated 'dog' waterer...... do you just keep it as is? Do you raise it up? put something in it so it's not so deep?
we're weighing our options on what to purchase for them? Thanks!

 

[gkeesling]

i just keep my dog waterer as is since the sides are kind of high. The chickens don't have any problems drinking from it.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
I have mine setting up on a small pallet (I think it's 1/4 of a standard sized pallet) just to raise it up out of the shavings a bit. My chickens normally drink out of a plain ol dog water bucket, so this is nothing new to them.

 

[hinkjc]

The heated dog water dishes work well for large fowl and turkeys, ducks, etc. I would discourage using them for bantams though.

 

[newchicksnducks]

Those with dog waterers...does the water get foul from the fowl? I can just imagine them perching on the side and pooping in the bowl...

Those with cookie tins...I read one site on BYC that scared me from making one. Since it doesn't use a water proof/resistant connection, the OP stated it was a fire hazard. Any problems to justify this concern?

Those with the plastic heated waterer...I have a problem w/chickens stepping on extension cord and somehow pulling it out...leading to frozen water again. Any suggestions?

 

[ksct]

 

[ijon1]

I have a heated dog bucket from tractor suppply holds about two gallons water.