How do you water your chickens in the winter?!

[pattya]

I use a heated 2.5 gallon water bucket mostly for horses.Around the bucket I placed bricks to form a "deck" with enough space to easily remove bucket and allow flock to drink well below top of bucket .They don't fling much debis from scratching in the water,that can always change!.So far I like the setup.

 

[GwenDellAnno]

I'm thinking about trying this out (live in S. Ont). I was thinking a bird bath heater (fixed in the centre so it doesn't touch the sides and melt the plastic) would keep the water from freezing. Any thoughts? Anyone else tried this? It would sure solve alot of that poop and shavings problem for me! I also use a stock tank heater like this (from the TSC store ~ I use the $25 one with the red top) for my fish pond in winter. That would also work if the container was large enough and the heater was fixed with the protective cage so it couldn't touch the sides.

 

[r3rjr]

Looks like the heated poultry waterer isn't a top choice. I think I will go with the heated pet bowl. It is good for 20 below zero.

Just my humble opinion

 

[Reinbeau]

I use the heated base under a metal waterer. It worked awesome last winter, I'll use it again this winter.

 

[Cats Critters]

Are there any heaters out there that run on battery power or solar power? I really hate having to break ice, but it takes 4 or 5 power cords to reach the coop.

 

[Baybrio]

I know many people use the heated dog waterers but I had a terrible time with mine. I think you should read my story before you invest in the dog water bowls.

My very large roosters loved to perch on the edge and poop in the heated dog bowl - every day. Did I mention they are large and eat a lot which means what goes in must come out. So I have to clean the thing out every day. Which means unplugging, sliding the cord (with the metal springy covering) through the wall of the coop (water begins spilling now), picking up nasty bowl with water splashing over the sides, walking with bowl and cord to the door, trying to balance the bowl while struggling with the barn door, getting out the door only to have the whole darn mess splash and then freeze on me because I forgot to pick the cord back up when I went through the door. Now I'm back in the coop, my gloves are wet and/or frozen with dirty water, usually the water magically makes it to the inside of my boots, where it does not freeze which is a whole other issue. Now I'm faced with getting the bowl and cord back in place and filling the dish. I'm frozen and wet and the roosters are making tracks for their heated roost. I desperation I duct taped about 3/4 of the top of the bowl which helped some.

Watering two roosters took more time and trouble than watering eight horses!

I'm going to try the cookie tin idea this year!

 

[LynneP]

Last winter I learned that I hated the big galvanized waterer on the heated base. It was heavy and difficult to change, so I bought a heated dog bowl (1.5 gal). very pleased with it, I can dump it into a catch bucket while still in the coop, and wipe it down and refill from a water jug. I gave the galvanized rig to the barn cats, located where it's closer to the water supply and easier to replenish. Everyone seems pleased.

Just read about the roosters above- I can see that could be a problem, I guess my hens are cooperating for now! I hate leaving the coop for the rest of the barn, so I prefer to bring my refill jug and catch bucket inside with me. Our coop is built into a barn, with glass on the aisleway side to keep dust from entering the rest of the barn.

Shown here (scroll):

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=7693-seasonal-concerns

 

[darkmatter]

Quote:
Ditto

 

[cochinbantam-lover]

The winters here in Wisconsin are usually pretty cold and snowy, and I agree, my chickens don't like snow much either! We always plow the snow away from the coop etc. and then they will come out for a bit but not for long!

I think their feet must get cold!

 

[ShaggysGirl]

This will be our first winter with chickens, I have one 3 gal heated plastic water given to me by our neighbor and I'm thinking of trying the cookie tin idea for my other plastic waters....hope they don't melt