Homemade water heater

[jim s]

Thank you all for the posts. Watering the flock is a project, especially in winter. Great ideas, I need to rethink the whole process. The galvanized waterer is loosing heat, the tin heater is loosing heat, I keep the water right outside the coop. Man, I did not think I would need to rethink so much. One thing at a time. Thanks for the great ideas.

 

[chuckzoo]

Here is my water heater;

I created a box at the height and size to hold a "plant light" then removed the hanging part. It stands on its end which is sturdy. I then covered the top with metal flashing and cut out a small piece of non-skid material to stand it on. The light bulb I have in it is a 25 watt and works great.

 

[Tofer76]

so much work for something so simple i just dont get it i use a 5 gal bucket with 3 water nipples in it (www.qcsupply.com) and a bucket deicer ( http://cgi.ebay.com/PATIO-POND-DE-I...685?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f68a180d ) plugged in to the garage

no mess, easy to fill, no fire hazzards, no poopy water, and super easy

 

[chuckzoo]

Quote:
I used items I had on hand - so it cost me nothing.

The pond de-icer costs $47.00.

 

[Oobhakeb]

Quote:
I used items I had on hand - so it cost me nothing.

The pond de-icer costs $47.00.

YEA THE PRICE IS AN ISSUE FOR ME TOO

 

[toto65]

I had DH make one of the cookie tin water heaters a couple weeks ago. Tried it with a 40 watt bulb and it was not enough to keep water thawed at 20 degrees. Upped it to a 60 watt rough service bulb and at -10 this morning water was still flowing! I have it sitting on a 18"x18"x1" cement patio block and it works great. I also have a popcorn tin that is approximately a 3 gallon size hung upside down with another 60 watt rough service bulb which I use for light and heat as needed. Last night at feeding time my birds were nice and cozy warm. I really need to get a thermometer in there to see just how much difference there is from teh outside temperatures.

 

[chuckzoo]

I got one of those wireless themometers and put the sensor in the coop. It is great the know the temp - gives me peace of mind. I got mine from Lowes for ~ $13.

 

[RoosterGeek]

Tractor Supply typically has de-icers for 20 bucks and they are worth it in my opinion. I don't have to huff 5 gallon bucks of water to the ducks and chickens and I don't have to worry about fire hazards.