keep water from freezing

[palabeco]

Does anyone know if there is any type of water heater that is battery powerd? No elec. service to coop, and is pretty far from house. Don't want to leave extension cord outside in the weather.

 

[Chatychick]

Dont know about battery power but I do use long extension cords for my chickens and goats. I use 3 large dog waters for my chickens in the winter for their water and it works good for them.

 

[greginshasta]

I can't imagine any device that is capable of keeping water from freezing and powered by a battery. Consider a flashlight left on, laying outside in the cold. How long will it last? This is going to be really costly.

You are better off purchasing a heavy-duty exterior extention cord like building contractors use and just leave it out all winter.

Do that and rig up one of the cookie can heaters and it should be just fine.

 

[Standard Hen]

My chicken coops are quite a distance and I use a couple of long extension cords together. They are out there in the snow etc. I work all day so there is no way that I can be here to keep fresh water as some days it will freeze up really fast. It was the only option I had and it worked just fine.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I use the heavy duty extension cords too...I have them run from my garage to the inside of the henhouse for my heated dog bowls....

 

[FutureChickenMan]

you're gonna have to build it yourself.. here's one part you'll need.

http://cgi.ebay.com/12-volt-600-Wat...oryZ3240QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

then you'll need a couple of car batteries, or better yet deep cycle marine batteries. you'll need one to run the equipment and one to charge in the house so you can swap them every day or other day depending on how much run time you get from each battery which will depend on how big they are.

since you're dealing with a small amount of water, i'd try one of these solar pumps first.. http://search-desc.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&catref=C6&from=R10&_trksid=m37&satitle=solar+pond+pump&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&fts=2&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=99025&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search

since moving water doesn't freeze, rather than heat it, just keep it moving. I'd find some way to wire a battery in so it will run at night, 'cause no sun, no power.

 

[Yonaton]

As another posted, go the solar way, but that's initially expensive.

With extension cords, if you're like me and have to use more than one to get to the water/coop:

At the point where you plug two cords together, wrap with some duct tape (doesn't need but one or two wraps, just enough to hold them together), then cut a 'V' notch in the end of a 2x4 that is about 10" long. Stand the 2x4 up on end with the 'V' on top, place the cord in the 'V' so that the 'connection' is off the ground. Put a 5 gallon bucket over the 2x4 and cords and place a concrete block (or big rock or anything heavy) on top of the bucket to keep it from blowing over. This way when it rains or snows, you don't have to worry about the 'connection' between two cords getting wet and popping a circuit breaker.

 

[nccountrygirl]

I think they make those weather proof covers that go over where two extension cords connect, they are a couple of bucks at Lowes.

 

[Standard Hen]

Yonaton that is a good idea. Last year I think I just wrapped them in tape and left them lying on the ground. And nccountrygirl I am going to check out Lowe's for those covers that go over the connections. Thanks for the tips, I love this place.

 

[cajungal]

Hi
What about an air pump like they use on fish tanks? I wonder if it would work..

You could stick the hose part down in the water and keep it moving like that..
Just a thought~~
Blessing