Hot weather water scare!

[Chris09]

Who puts out your 28% all flock? Kent/Evergreen/Blue Seal?

 

[RonP]

Yes, Blue Seal

 

[Blooie]

I have the five gallon waterer with horizontal nipples out in the run, and it gets checked daily - I dump whatever's in there onto the flower bed and give them fresh with some ice in it when it's really hot, otherwise I just check it and refill it as needed. I also keep a smaller 2 gallon one hanging in the coop for just the reason you experienced. Glad everything turned out alright! Sometimes I think there's a genetic code in egg yolk before the chicks even start developing. It's called the "How-many-ways-can-I-make-humans-panic-and-feel-guilty" code.

 

[Chris09]

@RonP
I thought it might be, I used the Kent 28 highflyer for some time then they pulled the animal protein out of it and I switched to a new mfg.

 

[Rani]

Their "winter" waterer is in the coop corner sitting on a cookie tin heater, refreshed every weekend as it is seldom used now.

So what is this cookie tin heater? This will be our first winter and I like the idea of having a water source outside and one for inside. Do you have to worry about too much moisture in the hen house with a heated waterer in there? Can they tip it over? Does it get dirty quickly? Hmmmmm. Our winter temps here in Minnesota can dip below 0 F for several weeks and I'm guessing a water heater is a must or I'll be lugging buckets out there several times a day. I'll look into that cookie tin thingy.

 

[RonP]

Do a search on cookie tin heater, lots of information and instructions.

I actually use a popcorn tin and mounted a clamp on reflector inside, minus the clamp, inside.

Tin is higher than a cookie tin and works well with the deep litter.

I use a 38 watt spot light inside and plug into a thermo cube.

On at 35 degrees, off at 40.

On top, a 2 gallon galvanized standard waterer.

Coldest it has been was -6 degrees, water was unfrozen.
I had a 45 watt bulb ready just in case.

My coop has adequate ventilation, no humidity issues.

I keep the water at shoulder height, gets dirty sometimes, but that's a chicken thing.

 

[Rani]

Thank you! I really appreciate it. This whole chicken business is definitely a learn as you go ordeal. I had so much anxiety about it before we took the plunge until a good friend (and chicken owner) put his hands on my shoulders and looked me in the eye and said, "You will be fine. People have been raising chickens for thousands of years. You'll figure it out." He's right. But boy, this website has been invaluable!

 

[RonP]

I've had a backyard flock on and off for 40 plus years.

I'm still learning new methods and great ideas.

Great to learn from other enthusiasts mistakes, and save countless lives.