How can I keep my girls water from freezing?

[GC-Raptor]

I use a 2 gallon galvanized waterer on a homemade heated base, plugged into a thermo cube to automatically turn on at 35 Fahrenheit off at 45.

GC

 

[lazy gardener]

I use a 2 gallon galvanized waterer on a homemade heated base, plugged into a thermo cube to automatically turn on at 35 Fahrenheit off at 45.GC

Is the base simply a stock pot with a light bulb inside??? Details please. What is the lowest temp you deal with?

 

[Chicken Bff]

I use a 2 gallon galvanized waterer on a homemade heated base, plugged into a thermo cube to automatically turn on at 35 Fahrenheit off at 45.GC

Where would i get a thermo cube at. Also how do you run electrisity to it.

 

[Rickovo]

One way is to get a container (like a large tupperware box, lid off, as an open drinker) just big enough to fit a small thermos flask. Fill the thermos with boiling water, lid and cap on, and put it in the drinker. It will lose heat slowly into the surrounding water and keep it from freezing for several hours.
Not exactly automatic but get you through a cold spell.
Be careful with biscuit tin style heaters with a 20 watt bulb inside - they work too but use an RCD in case of spillage. Brewing heater belts also work and are safer.

GC Rapter's galvanised heated drinker is epic by the way!

You can run mains with an extension cable as long as it isn’t too far but use an RCD (Residual Current Device) at the house end, to cut the power (almost) instantly if you run over it with the lawn mower!

 

[GC-Raptor]

Is the base simply a stock pot with a light bulb inside???  Details please.  What is the lowest temp you deal with?  

Last winter it got down to -18 Fahrenheit twice and below 0 many days. This is my first winter using this. It keeps the water 20 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than air temp with a 2 gallon waterer. The coldest temp so far is 23 water was 43.
Yes it's a 4 quart all stainless steel, no aluminium or copper base. With a 43 watt halogen bulb and a lamp kit from Wal-Mart or Amazon.

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Drill a 3/8 hole about 1 1/2 inches from bottom of pan, so a bulb will sit about a 3/16 inch from the bottom of the pan, you don't want the bulb to touch bottom, but you want it close. Screw a bulb into the lamp kit to be sure where to drill hole. This is the bulb I use.

You can get these halogen bulbs in 29, 43, 53 and 72 watt. I have not tried it with a higher or lower watt. I will keep you posted as to how cold a 43 watt will keep water from freezing with a 2 gallon waterer. I removed the the handles on pot and lid and flipped the lid upside down under the pot to hold in more heat. GC

 

[GC-Raptor]

Where would i get a thermo cube at. Also how do you run electrisity to it.

I got my themo cube on Amazon, but they sell them at TSC. Make sure to get the one that turns on at 35 off at 45. I use an extension cord plugged into a power strip in the storage area of the coop. The thermo cube cannot be near a heat source to operate properly.

GC

 

[lazy gardener]

I have a thermocube. Does the bottom of the pot which is now the top of the heater get hot to the touch? Would you be comfortable using it under a plastic waterer? We go to -20, and have periods where it doesn't get above 0 for days on end. Though last winter was milder than usual for us. I'm surprised it got that cold for you last winter. What growing zone are you in??? I'm on the border of 4/5.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have a thermocube.  Does the bottom of the pot which is now the top of the heater get hot to the touch?  Would you be comfortable using it under a plastic waterer?  We go to -20, and have periods where it doesn't get above 0 for days on end.  Though last winter was milder than usual for us.  I'm surprised it got that cold for you last winter.  What growing zone are you in???  I'm on the border of 4/5.

I'm not sure of my zone but I'm 5 to 10 degrees colder than Windsor Locks where they keep track of the temperature in my state.
I can hold my hand on it a few seconds without getting burned, with a 43 watt halogen bulb. But it does get hot, maybe a smaller bulb would work, they have a 40 watt equivalent halogen bulb it's 29 watts. That's the beauty of this heater you can change the power by changing bulbs. I have only used 43 watts. I would say try at your own risk with a plastic waterer, I have never tried it. GC