Methods for keeping water from freezing

[Percheron chick]

Look into a pond water circulator (like a koi pond) that is solar powered or runs off of 12V batteries (you would have to bring those in and recharge them on a trickle charger). A fish tank bubbler might move enough (in the 55 gal barrel) but I'd still cut the water off at the barrel at night.

 

[Rich386]

I've wondered about using a insulated thermal jug...like construction crews have. Would it be possible to put it up on a shelf and run a tube down into a rubber bowl? Would that help?? I have always used electric base heaters for mine but have considered trying something like what I described. I have searched online but can't find anyone that tried it.

I use a small fountain pump to circulate the water from my tank through the nipple run and back to the tank. I also use horizontal nipples they are less prone to freezing. The picture on the far right showes the back end of the nipple the only part exposed to the water.

 

[rngrbill]

I buried my extension cord and used an aquarium heater. Here in western new England it worked fine.

 

[Mountain Man 60]

have you looked into a solar cooking unit?

I also saw a person use the lense from a old style big screen TV to focus light at 2000 degrees that boiled water. The trick would be controlling the intense heat. Look up the doomsday prepper episode. If you can harness it you should be set if you get enough sun in the winter. He bought the old TV for 50 dollars and built a follow the sun set up very cheaply.

 

[Dimetrex]

Morning ya'll! After buying my chicks in April, i have been thinking of ways to prevent their water from freezing. (I'm from Ohio)  I've scoured this forum and found some really good ideas for coops without electric.  But I was just thinking, cold-water fish have natural antifreeze in their bodies and scales to prevent them and the water around them from freezing.  So couldn't I just add a crappie (or however many it'll take) into their tank of water to keep from freezing? crappies normally don't eat a lot in cold winter months, and i could just feed them wax worms every so often to keep the water from being too dirty.  And since crappies don't eat much in the winter, they shouldn't produce too much waste. 


I know this is a very odd method, but I think it'll work.  Any ideas? Think this would work?

I do not suggest that. Fish require an aerator, water pH neutralizers, nitrate control, and many other things other than food. The fish's waste would be detrimental to the chickens' health, and the fish would die when the water is low. Lastly, crappies do not release antifreeze into their enviroment. So as the surrounding water freezes, the water in the fish's body would prevent it dying due to cold a little while longer.

 

[WLL74]

I have kept my chickens water from freezing this winter without electricity by using a cooler and thermos. I normally just top them off, but on a few days this year where it got close to 0 at night and did not get above 25 during the day I filled the coolers with room temperature water in the morning before I left for work and when I returned 15 hours later they were still not frozen. I know for some who have to deal with a lot colder temperatures than these this may not work, but I was surprise at how well they have kept the water from freezing!

 

[nguyenkinhphuc2]

perfect solution.

 

[BobDBirdDog]

As a thought for consideration.

Though I don't experience the colds that some of our Northern Friends do, here in Tennessee when the days and night temps drop below 32 degrees, pipes, water bowl, ponds, etc... are subjected to freeze on any given day. In such the best preventive medicine is to prevent the water from standing as moving water is less likely to freeze .My idea still requires electricity but this method may be cheaper than the electric heated water bowls or move the electricity further from the Hen House as water could be piped two ways.
Circulation is the key!

I emphasize again, even moving water will eventually freeze if it gets cold enough! Consider the north's low temps where I have heard of water freezing in mid air, in such I doubt this solution would apply.

A small aquarium, submersible or external circulating pump will keep most water from freezing down to around 20 degrees maybe lower temps depending on the amount of circulation and water. If modified, an indoor or heated reservoir, or one that is heated by room temps might be configured, this would also help to keep water at a constant level as to avoid having endure the cold to refill containers as water is spilled or drank. By rule you will never pump more water than is being poured/pushed through a pipe unless a bladder tank is used. In such and pardon the suggestive use of words, sucking and pumping water from the drinking container to the reservoir and then piping it back would insure a constant flow on those cold days.

 

[dthompson]

I carry hot water to the outside water several times a day, and keep their inside water on a shelf.......it stays mostly thawed. However, I do live in VA and I'm sure our winters aren't as bad as yours.

I just moved to VA, east side and new to raising chickens. I get my 3 day old chicks next week. I will set my brooder up in the garage until they get their feathers, then move it to the screened deck so they can acclimate to the weather. I do not have electricity where my coop will be. I suppose I could run a cord out if it gets too cold, but hoping to have a solution to keep their water from freezing. When you say you keep their water on a shelf - do they climb up to that shelf to get the water? I have not read up enough - but I did read they only drink in their 'waking' hours - so do they need water at night, or taking it out in the morning to drink sufficient? I also ready someone used hot/warm water to start with - do they drink warm water?
THANKS!

 

[misfitmorgan]

I was looking into a low wattage use heater myself and upon doing the math if i did it correctly.

A 25watt Aquarium heater should keep 1 gallon of water from freezing down to -13 beyond that it might keep the area closest to the heater free of ice but ive not tested this out. i know they are cheap though and most have an automatic shut off when they go dry so they dont burn up. 25watt is quite feasible to run 24/hr a day during cold months on a solar powered system depending what else you have running.

If you want more heating powert you could try a 50watt heater of less water. Pay attention to the heater length though, because if your going to use less then a gallon depending on the height of your container you would want to be able to lay it down in the bottom of the waterer, the shortest ive seen is 6"

Since we are on grid power and i dont need a heater quite that low wattage im going to do the lightbulb in the cookie tin method simply for start up cost

25 watt heater $15-35
Cookie tin heater roughly $5