Idea or Designs for Water during winter?

[stewartfamof5]

I live in Ohio and spent half of my winter replacing 1 gallon basic water devices twice a day all winter. The coop was SOAKED and if the kids helped there could easily be a gallon of water on the coop floor. I have nipple watering systems for when the weather is warm but I need something better for the winter. Suggestions?

Thanks,

Jonathan

 

[boisebirdhouse7]

I use a galvanized water can that sits on a heater that keeps the water above freezing.

 

[Rich386]

I use this gravity fed setup with a small fountain pump from Lowe's. The $12.00 pump circulates the water and keeps it from freezing. Temp. here only gets down to freezing a few weeks in winter. You could add a birdbath heater with the pump. Might be worth worth a try.

 

[stewartfamof5]

The heater I purchased for the galvanized watering device does not run off of an extension cord. I had two of them and after my chickens kept getting hit with 110 and myself being hit with 110, I sold the DA** thing on craigslist, and instructed the individual to only plug it directly into an outlet. In Ohio we can have an entire week where it will only get above freezing for a day or two, so I need something pretty substantial to keep it from freezing.


Jonathan

 

[chfite]

I use a birdbath heater in my supply bucket. With proper grounding, I have not experienced any electrical problems using a 12 guage extension cord. If you were getting shocked, it was not because of the extension cord, it was due to improper wiring.

The birdbath heater keeps the water right around 45 degrees F.

Chris

 

[stewartfamof5]

Were you using the nipple system with the bird bath heater?

Jonathan