How To Keep Poultry Cup Drinker From Freezing?

[LavvyTaffy]

Howdy everyone,
these past few weeks have been pretty cold and at the time being there's no end in sight. Last year, mid summer, we switched from tray waterers to a cup system. Now it's late January and we use a water heater base to set it on, which keeps the bucket part ice free... But the cups not so much.
I've been using a small tray waterer that I refill twice a day until the next thaw. It's effective but kind of a hassle.

Any ideas on how to keep the cups thawed? Thanks.

 

[PeepersMama]

Here's the idea we use for our water heaters.

https://the-chicken-chick.com/make-cookie-tin-waterer-heater-under-10/

It doesn't have to be a cookie tin; dad found a couple metal pans that were solid enough to hold up a full bucket, attached a lightbulb underneath it and it works like a charm.

I'll get a couple pics of mine for ya in a bit. :3

 

[nchls school]

I place a heat lamp near the water when temps get that cold.

 

[hillbilly91]

Don't fill them full and just change more frequently

 

[LavvyTaffy]

I place a heat lamp near the water when temps get that cold.

I have a heat lamp above it, as close as I can without endangering the chickens.

 

[LavvyTaffy]

Here's the idea we use for our water heaters.

https://the-chicken-chick.com/make-cookie-tin-waterer-heater-under-10/

It doesn't have to be a cookie tin; dad found a couple metal pans that were solid enough to hold up a full bucket, attached a lightbulb underneath it and it works like a charm.

I'll get a couple pics of mine for ya in a bit. :3

Our heater is actually very much like that already.

 

[PirateGirl]

How many chickens do you have that drink from your existing waterer?

 

[PirateGirl]

also, if you are heating the main vessel with a light bulb, can you switch it for a higher wattage bulb? Perhaps if the water is warmer to begin with it will take longer or be less likely to freeze in the cups.

 

[imnukensc]

I know of nothing that will keep the water in the cups from freezing. Horizontal nipples are an option that you may want to consider. They don't seem to suffer the same freezing problems that the cups do.

 

[LavvyTaffy]

How many chickens do you have that drink from your existing waterer?

It's a five gallon bucket with two water cups, one for the roosters, and one for the hens. Although both sides can access either cup. 3 roosters on one side, and 1 rooster 16 hens on the other.