Methods for keeping water from freezing

[EagleEyes]

Here in south central Wisconsin I am using a cookie tin heater that I made, and we have had single digit nights and teens in the day, and NO frozen water.
This is a KISS idea for sure.
Here is my setup:

 

[RonP]

I feel that it is very important to offer RESTRICTED OPENING waterers in the winter rather than open bowls, buckets, etc. I feel this for 2 reasons:

1. When birds get "scuffling" in small spaces, it's not too hard to end up stepping into an open waterer quite by mistake. This is a recipe for instant frostbite and possible loss of toes and/or feet...or worse.

2. Birds that have larger wattles will have wattles hanging in the water in an open-water system. if the opening is restricted, wattles are more likely to stay on the outside of the small opening water troughs rather than hanging in the water. Wattles in water = frostbite.


So...
There are plenty of ways to keep water from freezing in the winter, but the DELIVERY SYSTEM is of utmost importance for frostbite PREVENTION, in my opinion. An ounce of PREVENTION is worth a Pound of cure. So I always encourage people to think, not in terms of keeping water thawed, but in terms of preventing frostbite while presenting thawed water.

Just some food for thought.

Very interesting thought.

I hope others will comment to share their experiences for others to learn from.

 

[Roxannemc]

Was wondering about a compost pile lots of poo in the bottom.That stuff stays hot but not sure if hot enough in winter .was thinking bury the waterer to an inch of the rim.
I haven't tried This but wonder if 20 degrees to zero mulch piles still stay hot.Anybody know?maybe black plastic tarp over most of it to draw Sun's heat in keep heat from leaving too.

 

[Teppler]

I wrapped an electric heating tape around a 5 gal bucket with chicken nipples installed then I wrapped it with duct tape but not covering all the tape just enough to keep it on the bucket, make sure thermostat is contacting bucket. It works great here in North Central Texas. I run a Heavy Duty ext cord to coop and keep it against the wall behind bucket and my girls have showed zero interest.

Now that I have electricity in coop I am considering a radio tuned to a chicken friendly station.

 

[RonP]

Mulch probably won't stay hot unless very deep, like 20" or more.

 

[Roxannemc]

Just did a cookie tin heater but not in the coop ....outside.Not sure how well that will do but if I can pry up some bricks from the frozen ground I'll surround It with them hope to help block wind anyway.I have a 6o watt bulb in it.Hope these New bulbs are warm enough.Energy efficient bulbs May not be the great thing they claim when it comes to heating brooders and maybe this.will see.right now no wind
Cookie tin heater has been on half an hour is melting the ice that was in the water..but its mid 20s out right now too.Going to zero tonite then wind chill -35 tomorrow.Ultimate test For this little Cookie tin warmer ..
Oh I added one inch gravel rocks inside tin too..hope to keep the warmth in there with them as a heat sinc.

I like the heat tape idea.Can the chickens peck it or did you cover it?
Yeah I imagine compost would only stay warm deep in Have to have a deep bucket and deep I'd be worried my dummies would fall in.May not keep surface water thawed anyway..like a lake.

 

[EagleEyes]

Roxannemc,

I'll put a themometer in my deep liter in a few minutes when I go out to check for you. It'll be later this aft when I check on it.
I'll let you know, and it should be interesting. My sending unit is above the roost bar, so not close to the floor.

Do Not use one of the new bulbs! Use a regular old light bulb, 40 watt. It has to do with the heat given off, not the light. Down where you are it will be just fine.
I'm using a 40 watt and the last few nights of around 0 deg it was fine. The next couple of nights will be well below 0, so I'll see. I did have ice start to form last week one day at just below 0, so I keep an eye on it.

 

[tntchix]

5 gal bucket nipple waterer with deicer in bottom with hole in lid for cord runs along wall to 50ft extension cord that plugs in barn next to coop. I just take two 2gal buckets of warm water out with my in morning to dump in when I collect first eggs of the day. (I cannot lift 5 gal bucket of water)

 

[Roxannemc]

I wrapped an electric heating tape around a 5 gal bucket with chicken nipples installed then I wrapped it with duct tape but not covering all the tape just enough to keep it on the bucket, make sure thermostat is contacting bucket. It works great here in North Central Texas. I run a Heavy Duty ext cord to coop and keep it against the wall behind bucket and my girls have showed zero interest.

Now that I have electricity in coop I am considering  a radio tuned to a chicken friendly station.  

Maybe one that restricts KFC commercials..

 

[tntchix]