Just Wondering....for a winter waterer has anyone tried.....

[2468Chickensrgr8]

Dont they get freezing feet?
I wonder if one of those heated horse buckets would work with a cover over top?...on top of a wood with screen ?...hm...I have never used one for our horses....
Thanks for the info....

 

[Snakeman]

I would use some kind of large container, such as a plastic barrel, with a good quality aquarium heater. Cut holes in the barrel to accommodate their head and neck. Use the solid heater, not the glass type, and set it for whatever temp you think will work for you. The heater should be safe for your ducks but you can place it inside a mesh tube to keep them from being able to touch it, if it makes you feel better.

 

[2468Chickensrgr8]

I guess I would find that at a Pet store that sells fish right?.....
Thanks for the information ...

 

[chikky]

Last winter we used the heated dog dish for water. I sat it on a piece of plywood. On the occasion it froze to the wood, I gently tapped it and it broke free.

Not messy at all, as long as they didn't stomp around in it too much. When I dumped it to refill, just dumped the old water away from the dish so I didn't get a big pile of ice.

The rubber tubs are great too, just end up freezing over before the day's out.

 

[Snakeman]

Quote:
Yes. Any pet store or pet supply that has aquarium products should carry them. Just don't get the regular glass ones. Here is a link for one that's designed for aquatic turtles. I think this might be ideal for you.
http://www.fishtanksdirect.com/ExoTerraTurtleHeaters.aspx

 

[kimb]

I'd be VERY nervous about using an "indoor aquarium" heater outside - that's not their intended use in ANY way (electrical plug or heating element)

Larger "dog bowl heater" type options are available that don't have an exposed heating element.

Additional options are:

http://www.qcsupply.com/270320-all-...&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=productfeeds

http://www.horsetackinternational.com/heated-flat-back-bucket.html?zenid=qbo54ekjnkbcfg6hb42bn62t92

http://www.adamshorsesupply.com/browse.cfm/4,2469.html

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...ay&ip_categoryId=14455&ip_mode=&ip_perPage=20

there are other submersible heaters that are meant solely to keep the water "thawed" and not "heated" but I would look into the caged ones so they can't touch the heating element.

 

[Snakeman]

Quote:
I agree. Which is why I went with aquatic turtle heaters for the link. Most are for indoor aquariums as well as outdoor ponds.

 

[2468Chickensrgr8]

Thanks for the information ....I am going to discuss it with Hubby first but after seeing that heated water bucket with the coils in the bottom I am thinking maybe we could cut a hole in the side and make a lid for it ........

 

[Flower84]

If possible, I always separate my ducks from my chickens in the winter, so the chickens don't get wet and sick from the mess. I use wood chips to help keep them dryer and just use a rubber pan, if you water them twice a day they get plenty of water before it freezes, I have always had good luck doing that in the winter. We have long harsh winters here in North Dakota
And they always come out no problem and I never use any heaters for the ducks. My lawyers lay through the winter so I use an under fount heater for that on a timer, run it all night from about 5pm to 10am then have it off the rest of the day, or yes it makes the water too hot and the chickens don't want to drink it. Chickens also love eating snow so I will throw a few snow chunks in there too for them. Not too much as if they don't eat it it will make them wet. Hope this helps!

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

If possible, I always separate my ducks from my chickens in the winter, so the chickens don't get wet and sick from the mess. I use wood chips to help keep them dryer and just use a rubber pan, if you water them twice a day they get plenty of water before it freezes, I have always had good luck doing that in the winter. We have long harsh winters here in North Dakota
And they always come out no problem and I never use any heaters for the ducks. My lawyers lay through the winter so I use an under fount heater for that on a timer, run it all night from about 5pm to 10am then have it off the rest of the day, or yes it makes the water too hot and the chickens don't want to drink it. Chickens also love eating snow so I will throw a few snow chunks in there too for them. Not too much as if they don't eat it it will make them wet. Hope this helps!

I know this thread is old, but you have some good points. The only question I wonder about is that ducks need water when they eat their feed - so do you only feed twice a day as well in the winter?