My New Heated Waterer

[aart]

Got my new heated nipple waterer up and running.
Was 32 this morning and the thermocube turned on the heater ....
........time will tell if it holds up in harsher temps.

 

[pdirt]

Nice setup you have there. I think it will work great for you. I had a similar setup (with a bucket) down to -9F last winter.

The only comment I would make is it doesn't look like your heated waterer is secured in any way. You have that board to keep them from roosting, but they could *possibly* come in from either said and hit it (one chicken being chased by another, ie), knock it over and perhaps have a hanging heater loose in the air or possibly on the ground. The cage you built around it seems like a very good idea to reduce the chance of fire in such a case. And the heater is supposed to have an auto shut off feature but that could fail. I know...all a worse case scenario and unlikely to happen. But a little securing wouldn't hurt nonetheless. Perhaps even a small loop of rope that would attach to an eye-loop on the anti-roosting-board with a spring latch.

I did have our birds knock over our 5 gallon horizontal nipple watering bucket this summer, multiple times. This only happened when the bucket started to get low in water and was probably due to them perching on top. Now that I've got the heater installed in the bucket, I've secured the handle with an adjustable cargo strap to the ceiling, which both secures it from being knocked off the cinder block and doubles as a roosting deterrent.

 

[aart]

Not a bad idea pdirt, I will look at a way to secure it.

 

[aart]

I did secure the jug from falling......but then:
11-18-14: Heater Failed, think thermostat failed - not sure what will I'll try next, probably a bucket heater

 

[pdirt]

I did secure the jug from falling......but then:
[COLOR=FF0000]11-18-14: Heater Failed, think thermostat failed - not sure what will I'll try next, probably a bucket heater[/COLOR]

At least it wasn't actually heating a tank of fish!

I've been happy with the K&H deicer I've mentioned...and it's the sort of thing designed for outdoor use.

 

[aart]

Yeah, the one you use is on the list for the next design iteration.
Could you give me the model number?

 

[aart]

Upgraded to a higher quality 50watt submersible aquarium heater...this one can be set to 64F.
If this heater fails, I'll break down and go to a stock tank heater and a bucket.

Also added some reflective bubble wrap(I knew I had some of that lying around) piece I had was perfect size, and a plastic feed bag wrapped chuck of foam for base.

7 days and holding, 2 of those days were warm ones tho and thermocube kicked off, but I think it's using less power than the smaller cheaper heater...might just be because of insulation tho.

 

[aart]

Update.....hit our lowest yet at -4F about 8am this morning....water heater running strong!!!
Chickens aren't too happy but at least they are not thirsty....wonders if the warm water gives them any comfort?
Doesn't seem to be using much more power either.
It's been below 10 degrees for the last 48 hours or so.....very windy and we got about a foot of snow on the ground.

Glad not to have one more thing to fix this week after fixing:
-boiler pump.
-mailbox knocked off from plow wash....
.....and today the snow thrower took a dump just after clearing about 8" off the driveway with another foot coming in the next 24 hours.
Good thing I'm a Jill of all Skills!

 

[RonP]

For once I'm glad to be in NJ

Coldest night to date was 14F in the coop...33F now...

 

[bascks]

Yeah, the one you use is on the list for the next design iteration.
Could you give me the model number?