I used a heated nipple waterer bucket in my previous wooden coop, and am doing the same with the eglu coop.
Bungee cords, and a dowel are utilized to hang the bucket. The bucket is filled to less than a quarter full (Maybe 1/5 or 1/6 full, and that is good enough). Water is heavy, so must be careful that the weight can be supported. Water is replenished every 3 to 4 days (and occasionally adding apple cider vinegar for chicken health). I use bungee cords to distribute the water weight along the dowel. I also use a bungee to tip the bucket to favour the nipple waterer side, by a few degrees. Bungee cords are very handy (as are zip ties, as you can see for lighting....)
The chickens have no problems with the nipple waterer. They are doing very well. Temps have gone down the 7F here. Burrrr.....
Lighting is on a timer. There is a light in the coop, and one in the run. The bulbs are flourescent lighting from Home Depot (i.e. less wattage). Lights are timed to run until 8 hours after sundown. Chickens lay just about an egg a day.
Both lights and heated bucket are connected via "long" extension cord to house outdoor outlet.
I have been reading about a lot of chicken lovers' problems with freezing water and I thought that I would share. Hopefully, this will give you ideas of your own.
Bungee cords, and a dowel are utilized to hang the bucket. The bucket is filled to less than a quarter full (Maybe 1/5 or 1/6 full, and that is good enough). Water is heavy, so must be careful that the weight can be supported. Water is replenished every 3 to 4 days (and occasionally adding apple cider vinegar for chicken health). I use bungee cords to distribute the water weight along the dowel. I also use a bungee to tip the bucket to favour the nipple waterer side, by a few degrees. Bungee cords are very handy (as are zip ties, as you can see for lighting....)
The chickens have no problems with the nipple waterer. They are doing very well. Temps have gone down the 7F here. Burrrr.....
Lighting is on a timer. There is a light in the coop, and one in the run. The bulbs are flourescent lighting from Home Depot (i.e. less wattage). Lights are timed to run until 8 hours after sundown. Chickens lay just about an egg a day.
Both lights and heated bucket are connected via "long" extension cord to house outdoor outlet.
I have been reading about a lot of chicken lovers' problems with freezing water and I thought that I would share. Hopefully, this will give you ideas of your own.
