Keeping water from freezing in -degree weather

[Lyranonamous]

Do you mean those bowls that are also used for horse grain? Usually Found in feed stores ?

 

[Taylormade Chic]

I'm in Northern Utah. We use a cinder block with a 100 watt light bulb (150 watt would likely work too), put the waterer on top and it works great. We even use the plastic waterers tho a heavy rubber or metal bowl (like a oil drain pan) works well too and would probably be better with the higher wattage bulbs. Only once did we have a problem with water getting on the light bulb and breaking it, but it was human error rather than chicken mischief. You could also use a metal oil pan upside-down on the bulb with a waterer or bowl on it. Even a crock bowl, anything that won't melt but protects the light and holds the watering devise.

 

[Cebarmlds]

http://www.amazon.com/Allied-Precis...d=1413576576&sr=8-8&keywords=birdbath+heaters


I have this one.
Although this will be the first winter with it, so can't say yet how it'll work but if it keeps the water from freezing here it'll work almost anywhere!

 

[mirsy09]

I live NW Coast and we don't have too many freezing mornings that freeze my hens water. But, when we do, I go out with super hot water from my kitchen in a bucket and pour it over their iced tub. It warms up their water and they love the warm water. That usually lasts all day until the night! This is a cheap way to go.If you use a heater, it must be plugged directly into a plug and I don't have any in or near my coop. You can buy special heater water feeders at the feed stores. They are about $70... but must be plugged right into a socket! They also cost a lot on your electrical utility. I know as I use one in my horse and mini donkey's water tub. They also love the warm water on cold days. I keep it on right thru the winter.

 

[White Feather]

materials: drop light (I use 60w bulb) and cookie tin (or equivalent)
Lay light on ground; turn cookie tin upside down over it; set waterer on top. bingo.

 

[Fijithai]

Yes. Mine did...snow, ice, rain.....it didn't matter. They were out there, and "in" it. (Except when it rains hard they're going for shelter...)

 

[Diannastarr]

I live in Maine where -20 (or lower) is the norm in the height of winter, I have a large flock and have heated water successfully for many years. I use rubber bowls with a submersible heater (many are sold as bird bath heaters). Circulating the water is not necessary. I have found it to be the best solution as heating bases don't hold up or warm large amounts of water efficiently. I would steer away from the heating tape method.

I lived in CT most all my life were it was like zero in the day time & we fed clean newely fallen snow to our hens in a big bowl on the coop floor, since they ate snow all the time when out freeranging , so i tried it and it was fine , but the problem remains, if there is no snow...? your idea sounds like the best....!! : )

 

[White Feather]

(smile) Forget the drilling and installing.
Turn the cookie tin upside down; lay light on the ground underneath it; throw away the lid.
Worked all last winter for me. there-you-go.

 

[274255]

Last year was my first year of having birds for the winter. We live in Saskatchewan Canada and our temps go down to -40. We had 40 guineas and 5 chickens and I didn't know what to use for water. I bought a heated dog water bowl that holds a gallon of water. It cost $25 and worked wonderful all winter. This year we have 25 chickens and 25 guineas and I will use 2 dog bowls. They are great because they have a thermostat that shuts off when it warms up.

 

[Diannastarr]

o yes those BIG BLACK HEAVY RUBBER HORSE GRAIN BOWLS, they are the best, i used them for many reasons.

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