Humidity in coop?

[valmom]

Well, we bought an electric pet water bowl to keep unfrozen water in the coop. I think, personally, that it makes the water too hot! I can't imagine chickens drinking tea water. I have convinced my SO to keep changing out their regular water that freezes so they have a choice, but the hot water is still in there, eating up electricity, too hot to drink, and MAKING THE COOP HUMID!

I can't imagine this is a good thing. That bowl heats the entire coop and makes it feel like a hothouse for plants. We have ice on the inside of the windows, and on the underside of the (metal) roof and even on the lightbulb (a plastic LED light). The coop does have a ridgevent at the top of the roof as well as openings where the roof meets the walls. The windows fit pretty well, but they do leak some air. But it isn't enough to keep the water vapor from condensing and freezing.

How do I (tactfully) convince my SO that this isn't good for the chickies?

 

[horsewishr]

Have him spend the night out there.

I just got one of these:

I haven't noticed any condensation or heat build-up

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Geez, that sounds terrible!

There are a couple of different heated water bowls on the market. Mine doesn't do that. Either it has a smaller wattage heating element or it's because it has a thermostat built in. I have the 6 qt. from here: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3307+15+1277&pcatid=1277

How about if you put yours just outside the coop? Do you think that would work for you? They could still have the unheated water that you're changing, inside the coop.

Besides the other heated waterers available, you could also make one of those cookie tins with the little light bulb inside, to keep a bowl or waterer unfrozen. They've been working really well for a lot of people. I hope you find a solution that works for you.

Horsewishr, I've seen those heated plastic waterers mentioned on here before. They just came out this year, didn't they? I was wondering how people would like them. It's good to hear it's working well for you.

 

[karmical]

Horsewishr....that heated fount looks like just the ticket...where did you get it?

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I have two heated dog water bowls that I got from TSC in my henhouse and mine have never done that...

I think I saw those in a McMurray hatchery catalog that Horsewishr has a pic of.......

 

[horsewishr]

I got mine at the feed store around the corner. But you can order it form McMurray Hatchery online:
http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/product/heated_poultry_waterer.html

 

[karmical]

Thanks for the purchasing info!