Heating the chicken coop?/keep water from freezing?

[Jemma Rider]

I just made this:View attachment 1211511
I have not decided if i want to put glass, metal or plywood on top. So i am going to see what works.

That's clever, and i already have all of the materials. I'll run this by my father and we can try and work out wiring and such, thanks a bunch.

 

[CapricornFarm]

That's clever, and i already have all of the materials. I'll run this by my father and we can try and work out wiring and such, thanks a bunch.

No problem, i heard the concrete block ones soak up most of the heat so i insulated mine. I ordered the sockets online, cost about $5 each.

 

[tigger19687]

Look nice.

Just wanted to update that the heated dog bowl works FABULOUS. I put the bottle back in the middle to hopefully keep the waddles out of the water

 

[lazy gardener]

I use that same heated dog bowl. I set a gallon jug of plain water in the middle. It keeps the wattles and feet out of the water, and I simply pour more water out of the jug to top off the water in the moat as needed. I find that this works well if my flock is on FF, but if they are on dry feed, they require more water.

 

[tigger19687]

@lazy gardener Yes, that is a great idea to use water in jug and fill.
Do you use an old Milk jug ? I am currently using a huge vinegar bottle because it is of Thick plastic. I was not sure how well the Milk Gallon would work with it being thin walled.

usually I just take water out once a week when I clean it.

 

[lazy gardener]

The milk jug works well, and will easily last a year. I like it b/c of the handle. Use what you've got!

 

[tigger19687]

Thanks LG
I just changed the water, since it is Uber warm out today (40 something). It didn't look like they had drunk much. Wondered if the salt water jug had a tiny leak.
So easy to replace, rinsed out bowl, put in used gallon OJ jug with water in it (rinsed out as well) and filled.
Going to keep an eye on it to make sure that they ARE drinking.

 

[redcluck]

My chickens water freezes frequently in the very cold days. I have a metal waterer with a tray in the bottom. I usually just bring out a jug of hot water, use it to melt the ice in he tray, and dump the remaining water into the main cylinder where the it is held... hope this could help/spark some ideas