INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: This is the deicer I have:


http://www.amazon.com/Allied-Precision-BDT250-Multiple-Thermostat/dp/B000TZ745A

Allied Precision BDT250 Bird Bath De Icer Multiple Thermostat, 250-Watt


Of course, we'll have to see how it does when it's in the single digets and below for the horizontal nipples. (It would do fine for any other system, but the horizontal nipples have springs in them that "MAY" be able to freeze and stick if things get really cold. So far it's only been down to about 18 F. where my water is.)

I don't think I paid as much as the Amazon price. I purchased it from one of the local hardware stores that services the farm community. I only used it for part of one season so I can't say how long/well it will last. My box says it has a 3 year warranty.

I don't like using anything with aluminum which this thing has. I'm considering putting in the aquarium heater again just because I prefer the glass to the aluminum. I just haven't had time to do it yet and this is keeping things open. I used the aquarium heater for a whole season in 2012/2013 but haven't used it since.



This is the aquarium heater I used in past years... 50 watts. When I use this I put it on a thermocube. It heats the water much warmer, of course, because it is for an aquarium and I think the lowest water temp for this is 68 degrees. The thermocube only senses AIR TEMPERATURE not water temperature. So as long as the air temp is below the shut-off temp, the aquarium heater will be running. The Bird Bath deicer has a thermostat that measures WATER TEMPERATURE.

 

[Leahs Mom]

OH... and the aquarium heater MUST STAY SUBMERGED so I attach a pack of marbles to it to keep it under. [Note: This kind of water cup did NOT work for winter. Spring in neck of the part outside of the bucket would freeze. Liked the cups for summer but NOT for winter. Photo posted just so you can see the marbles.]

 

[Leahs Mom]

One more thing...on the bird bath heater I put a pyrex in the bottom of my bucket to set it in. I know I don't have to as it is useable in plastic. I just don't like the heat element right on the plastic like that.

 

[Indiana feather]

I went to Rural King yesterday and bought a large heated dog water bowl and put a empty plastic ice cream container full of water inside of it. It got pretty cold overnight and when i checked it out this morning it had worked perfectly. The water was not frozen and I am pretty satisfied with it. I had thought about getting one of those plastic water container made for chickens but I cannot see how after filling you right them without spilling. I suppose you could do that outside of the coop and then set it into the bowl. Duh... doi...derr...

It is an open setup and i suppose a chicken could get into it by accident,yet i am hoping that won't happen. I might add that my birds are 10 wk old pullets and the combs and waddles are not an issue yet. I paid $17 for the bowl. After this little stretch of brutally cold temps i am pretty content that it will work

 

[Granny Hatchet]

malpositioned serama next to a 2 week old bantam silkie and one by itself. took me 17 hrs. to hatch it.

 

[Indiana feather]

malpositioned serama next to a 2 week old bantam silkie and one by itself. took me 17 hrs. to hatch it.

Aww it is adorable!

 

[Granny Hatchet]

Aww it is adorable!

 

[Indiana feather]

Now that it is frigid.. I'm thinking of what I can plant around my chicken run next spring. I am considering planting Nasturtium..this variety called Alaska has variegated foilage and it blooms profusely throughout the summer. I figure it will pretty up the perimeter of the run as well as attract a bunch of yummy bugs for my chickens. Here is an example of it

 

[minmin1258]

malpositioned serama next to a 2 week old bantam silkie and one by itself. took me 17 hrs. to hatch it.

Aww it is adorable!

. That is a teeny tiny bitty!!!

 

[minmin1258]

I went out a little while ago n closed up the coops. Lo n behold we have a new little chick too, and there'll be another by morning (it's pipped and zipping) Earle is always a very attentive Daddy. (Lol I don't think he's realized these are NOT his babies... Shhhh). I hope they survive this cold!!!