Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[dportfamfarm]

I need some help!! We have 6 happy hens and 2 pekin ducks. Our coop is set back a good 265 feet from our house, we have no running water in our coop and no electricity (we put up solar panels for a light but no luck). My problem is carting my water to my coop every other day on the tractor, the water has been freezing solid and I broke or sprained my pointer finger knuckle trying to break my pvc pipe from my 5 gallon water jug. Does anyone have any tips or good waterers that won't freeze, would like to keep water in the coop but my ducks like to knock it down...HELP!!

 

[trailrider330]

I need some help!! We have 6 happy hens and 2 pekin ducks. Our coop is set back a good 265 feet from our house, we have no running water in our coop and no electricity (we put up solar panels for a light but no luck). My problem is carting my water to my coop every other day on the tractor, the water has been freezing solid and I broke or sprained my pointer finger knuckle trying to break my pvc pipe from my 5 gallon water jug. Does anyone have any tips or good waterers that won't freeze, would like to keep water in the coop but my ducks like to knock it down...HELP!!

We have a similar set up at present (no electricity, and over 250' from the house). Here is what we do:
* We typically bring water back to our chickens a couple times per day (once in the morning, once around 4/5:00 PM). On the weekends they typically get fresh water three times per day.
* We generally use luke warm water, figuring it will stay thawed a little longer and encourages the chickens to drink.
* We use 5 gallon buckets cut down to about 4-5", as well as black rubber feed buckets you can get at about any Tractor Supply or Family, Farm and Home for about $7-10. I prefer the black feed buckets since they are more flexible.
* When they do freeze over, I take them away from the coop and simply knock them on a fence post.

I have also heard that putting something like a ping pong ball in the water will help keep it from freezing as the air moves it around and slows the forming of ice. I have not tried that myself, but I know others who have. It may also help if you take water back to your chickens on a more regular basis. That way the ice does not become as thick and solid. Chickens really need fresh water daily.

Not sure how my system would work with ducks, but that's what we do. Good luck!

 

[1muttsfan]

If push comes to shove chickens can eat snow for water. To do so they burn a lot of energy, so they must have good quality food in front of them at all times.If you provide water once daily and they have access to snow, they are unlikely to become dehydrated. They may, however, lay fewer eggs due to increased calorie use for thermoregulation and less water available for the egg (eggs are mostly water).

I would also suggest the black rubber buckets, just flip them over and stomp on them to knock the ice out. And use cold water, for some crazy reason warm water can actually freeze faster. I have not heard of the ping pong ball, but I would try it as well.

 

[aart]

If push comes to shove chickens can eat snow for water. To do so they burn a lot of energy, so they must have good quality food in front of them at all times.If you provide water once daily and they have access to snow, they are unlikely to become dehydrated. They may, however, lay fewer eggs due to increased calorie use for thermoregulation and less water available for the egg (eggs are mostly water).

I would also suggest the black rubber buckets, just flip them over and stomp on them to knock the ice out. And use cold water, for some crazy reason warm water can actually freeze faster. I have not heard of the ping pong ball, but I would try it as well.

I tested this last winter...and found it t be untrue.
Took out 2 identical clear plastic water nipple bottles,
one with very warm water and one with cold water,
the cold one froze faster than the warm.

I've heard of floating something on the surface of the water.....never actually tried it tho.

 

[PDPercherons]

Snowflake, I thought I had shared this, maybe not. Hawkeye and Cora have settled down some. They have to see me up close daily so that has changed things a bit.

 

[1muttsfan]

I did say it can freeze faster

http://chemistry.about.com/b/2012/03/02/can-hot-water-freeze-faster-than-cold-water.htm

 

[aart]

I did say it can freeze faster

http://chemistry.about.com/b/2012/03/02/can-hot-water-freeze-faster-than-cold-water.htm

Kinda like horse shoe and hand grenades..... close enough(sometimes) counts?

I had heard it often and wondered if it was true........started taking out hot water last year to broody hen, so I would have to go out less often, glad I did.

 

[Stacykins]

I know if I bring my goats warm water to drink they are in heaven. I don't do it everyday, because they still drink the cold water, but it sure helps increase water consumption when it is warm.

If I bring warm water to the poultry, the ducks bath in it. But the ducks bath in every open body of water they find. The sump drainage area is still draining, so there is water they splash in every morning. Even on the bitterly cold mornings, they're out there, dunking themselves and flapping water everywhere.

 

[aart]

I know if I bring my goats warm water to drink they are in heaven. I don't do it everyday, because they still drink the cold water, but it sure helps increase water consumption when it is warm.

If I bring warm water to the poultry, the ducks bath in it. But the ducks bath in every open body of water they find. The sump drainage area is still draining, so there is water they splash in every morning. Even on the bitterly cold mornings, they're out there, dunking themselves and flapping water everywhere.

I have a heated waterer in the main coop......but they still love to nosh on snow outside...shm.

 

[Grammi]

Hi 1muttsfan, are you keeping warm up there!! I sure am trying to keep warm here!!