How do I water my chicks in the winter

[bobbieschicks]

I've been using the garden hose to refill the 3 gallon and 5 gallon hanging waterers & over the summer I also had a hose running to an autowaterer pipe in the run - but with winter coming we usually open the hose faucet and detach all hoses - so how do I do the watering job now? Do I have to haul water from inside the house or is there some way to keep the pipes from freezing & use the outside faucet? We're in Virginia if that helps.

thanks,
Bobbie

 

[JackE]

I have two galvanized waters. I exchange them out every day. I fill them in the house, because, like you I shut off the outside water. I have a cookie tin waterer heater,(Didn't cost $5 to make) powered by a 40W bulb. Got the idea for it fright off this forum.
Jack

 

[MIKE555444]

I bought a couple heated waters last winter and they have served me well... I only use them during the winter months and then store them. You might have to string an ext cord if you don't have electric in the coop. I think they cost about $34 ea.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I use the black rubber Fortex bowls. When you turn them upside down and step on them the ice just falls out. I carry out water to them in milk jugs to fill the bowls twice a day.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Unless you bury water lines and put in a frost-free hydrant, then you're going to have to haul it from the house.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Quote:
That's what I was wondering - I think I'll go with those rubber horse bowls and make several trips a day.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Quote:
Are those the black horse bowls I see at Tractor Supply? Do you elevate those bowls so that stuff doesn't get knocked into them? I like the milk jug idea - we always have plenty of those around.

 

[tiki244]

I carry the water from the house. It rarely freezes in my coop. I used the deep litter method and have one heat bulb in there and the temps outside can get to be below zero. And on nice days I open the windows. About halfway through the winter I do have to clean the litter and replenish it though. It is about one foot deep. Some people buy the electric dog waterers for their chickens.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
Are those the black horse bowls I see at Tractor Supply? Do you elevate those bowls so that stuff doesn't get knocked into them? I like the milk jug idea - we always have plenty of those around.

Yes they are in the horse section. They are made of rubber. I just set them on the ground, but we don't get that much freezing weather where I am. I suppose if I was going to need them all winter I would set them up on some bricks or something.

All my water and food is in the run.