Help! Water heater not working

[IslaBean]

I bought a water heater for my tap it poultry water dispenser. After snowing all night, I went down there and the water wasn’t frozen. However from the four nozzles, there were large icecles hanging from them. Even after breaking the Icicles off, the nozzles siding move. They are frozen in place. The heater that I bought goes inside the water dispenser, it says that it is made for tap it water dispensers. How can I get it so that my girls doen’t dehydrate this winter?

 

[nminusyplusm]

What heater do you have? Can you post a link? And a pic of your set up?

 

[aart]

Vertical nipples(made to mount on bottom) are notorious for both leaking and freezing, even with a heater in bucket.
I'd send that one back and get one with Horizontal nipples(made to mount on sides) are much more effective in freezing climates.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The heater is working if the water inside isn't frozen. As aart noted, vertical nipples will still freeze despite the water inside being liquid. I manually defrost the nipples on my waterer by taking a cup of room temperature/ slightly warm water out with me in the morning, and soaking the nipple in it until it's moving properly again. If it's not too cold out, that should make it usable the rest of the day. If it's freezing or below you'd have to keep soaking it throughout the day to keep it working.

 

[blackdog043]

Horizontal nipples are your answer. Here is a link for a bucket all set up, if you don't want to make one. What kind of heater do you have, it may work with this bucket also.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IFFM32...t=&hvlocphy=9009906&hvtargid=pla-312501423972

 

[song of joy]

If you end up having to invest in a new waterer, I'd highly recommend a galvanized metal, double-wall fount, which can be used with a heated base in the winter to keep the water from freezing. I've used this setup for the past several years with no freezing of the water. I like it because I can consistently rely on it.

 

[wamtazlady]

I use horizontal nipples, a 10 gallon semi clear plastic tote, and a stock tank deicer that is rated for use in plastic. Has gotten down to -22 F with no freezing. The larger container means it only needs filled every week or so.

 

[CapricornFarm]

I am going to use this:

Just need to make a top.

 

[IslaBean]

If you end up having to invest in a new waterer, I'd highly recommend a galvanized metal, double-wall fount, which can be used with a heated base in the winter to keep the water from freezing. I've used this setup for the past several years with no freezing of the water. I like it because I can consistently rely on it.

I ended up buying one of those. I got tired of melting the icicles. Thanks!

 

[song of joy]

I ended up buying one of those. I got tired of melting the icicles. Thanks!

You're very welcome! I'm glad I could help.