How do you keep your water from freezing?

[aart]

@aart - your horizontal nipples do well in the winter, yes? I think, if installed at a slight angle so that any water left in the little drip cup can drain away, they should work without a problem. I also tried them but I just prefer my birds to have a "pool" to drink from rather than the nipples.

HN's with AQ heater stayed thawed to -12F.
Tilting lips could help, hard to do tho and not a deal breaker.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Mine never froze when I tried them.

 

[Dayrel]

About a week ago, my first attempt at a heated waterer- PVC pipe with cable heater didn't work out at well as planned.

In a rush, I bought a 2 gallon bucket with integrated heater and thermostat at Rural King. Took 5 minutes to install two horizontal nipples (hanging nipples wouldn't work because the heater is on the bottom). I then trimmed a 5 gallon lid to cover it, keeping in moisture, heat and keeping out dirt. Added a wrap to help retain heat. Total cost less than $40.

It has worked fantastically over this last week. The water has remained liquid with air temperatures consistently getting down into the 20s and teens. The HNs haven't frozen up. It uses as much power as a 60w light bulb when heating and isn't on continuously. Even when it is on, it doesn't get hot enough to risk burning anyone. With my three girls, this setup will go a long time between refills.

I'll be going back to the PVC waterer when things get warmer, but this bucket arrangement appears to be an excellent solution for the winter.

 

[belindaschicks]

This is what I use it works great! Super easy. No frozen water. Doesn't use a ton of electricity. Best yet no chance of a wet coop. Farm innovators de icer
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E8X2CA/re
Waterer
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B016...er+nippers&dpPl=1&dpID=41ppmuAQCFL&ref=plSrch

 

[jreardon1918]

This is what I use it works great! Super easy. No frozen water. Doesn't use a ton of electricity. Best yet no chance of a wet coop. Farm innovators de icer
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E8X2CA/re
Waterer
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B016...er+nippers&dpPl=1&dpID=41ppmuAQCFL&ref=plSrch

I am using the same stock tank heater in a 5 gallon bucket with 3 horizontal nipples. No ice. It is currently 28F outside. 32F in the coop. I keep the water outside to keep moisture down. The indoor humidity is 68% which is roughly the outdoor humidity.

 

[belindaschicks]

I am using the same stock tank heater in a 5 gallon bucket with 3 horizontal nipples. No ice. It is currently 28F outside. 32F in the coop. I keep the water outside to keep moisture down. The indoor humidity is 68% which is roughly the outdoor humidity.

I do the exact same thing. I think it's the best set up.

 

[3riverschick]

Several years ago I wrote to a legendary poultry man in England. I asked him how they kept the water from freezing in England . he responded and said they get a small bottle of food grade glycerin. like you use in icing . they sell it at Michaels Arts and Crafts in the baking section . Then he would put a small amount on the top of the water. the glycerin would not freeze and it would keep an open hole for the birds to drink out of. if the birds happened to drink some of the glycerin it would not hurt them because it was food grade.
Best ,
Karen

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I'm in CT in Litchfield County and heading into my first winter with chickens. I have no idea if I'm doing things right or not but I also submerged a heater (adjustable aquarium heater) in a 5 gallon bucket. I turned the heater all the way up after we had an 18 degree night and the reservoirs had a crust of ice on them. Since I turned up the heat, the reservoirs have not frozen but we also haven't had really low temps until tonight!
The bucket is outside the coop propped up on a cinder block. Sven and the Coopers have access to the water when I open the coop door in the morning.

I almost used an aquarium heater, but didn't. I have aquariums, and I know that if the water falls below the level of the heater, the difference in air temperature will shatter the glass. I've seen it happen in indoor use. So, that's why I'm using the heater I am. No problems as of yet...

 

[Squeak61]

I use a 3 gallon heated waterer. I bought mine from TS and it’s working perfect

 

[aart]

I am using the same stock tank heater in a 5 gallon bucket with 3 horizontal nipples. No ice. It is currently 28F outside. 32F in the coop. I keep the water outside to keep moisture down. The indoor humidity is 68% which is roughly the outdoor humidity.

That's the beauty of the horizontal nipple waterers, they don't add humidity to the coop as they are mostly sealed, except for the anti vacuum hole.