My Chicken Water Tower

[Mainebarn]

I just went through my first winter with chickens. I made a waterer from a 5 gal Rubbermaid cooler to help keep the water from freezing (I don't have electric at the coop for a heater). By emptying half of the water out every morning and replacing it with hot water, it did a good job keeping the nipples from freezing. I also made a fancy top for it (mainly intended to help discourage them from sitting on top of the cooler). If you're interested, I made a video showing how I made it:

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Nice. Cute and functional. What type of winter weather do you get?

 

[Mainebarn]

I'm currently living in CT. Our average lows are in the teens, but it will occasionally hit -5 to -10 F on our coldest nights. Once the temp is below about 20F, the nipples are generally frozen when I come out in the morning. I use a small bucket to empty out half the water and replace it with hot. After a few minutes, the nipples thaw and it stays warm enough to keep working till the end of the day.

 

[N F C]

Nice looking waterer and functional too...good job!