My water system froze last night :(

[DulcyDoll]

I dont have any input on your question, but i love that your chickens are looking at you with curiosity "is she taking pictures of us..or our water?..either way..POSE"

 

[jubylives]

Quote:
LOL yea I was noticing that too. They looked a tad confused as to why you were in there and they were out there.


jeremy

 

[Mrs MIA]

Quote:
Yes, they do drink directly out of it. The turkeys do, too.

I have the coop wired for electricity, so it's not a problem, but I have used the industrial extension cords in the winter without problems.
And no worries... if Mrs. AKBB seems rude, just use Tori.

 

[Frosty]

I really HATE heat lamps in a poultry house unless absolutely necessary (like for chicks). They can be a huge fire hazard (that is what a fire in the Pea barn at our local zoo was blamed on... lots of peafowl died). If you use them, please make sure that they are very secure, that there are no combustables around them, and that they are protected from birds flying into them (which can break the bulb). Also, look up. Make sure that there are no leaks above them or anything that will collect condensation that could drip down (actually had that happen once, it can shatter the bulb).

Personally, I am looking at the new poultry founts that are made of plastic and have a heater built into the base. Looks like they cost close to $40 and are 100W. Much as I love the metal base type heaters, they can only be used with metal founts and they are metal themselves so they do tend to rust. I have a few that still work, but the sides are all rusted away. Need to get the time to fix them...

 

[waldeneffect]

I have been having good luck using the Avian Aqua Miser.

It's easy to take in at night and fill up with warm water on really cold days, but best of all is the way the water stays forever clean. A simple light bulb set up can be used to keep it warm if that's needed.

No more sinking feeling in my stomach when I go to give my hens fresh water and imagine what it must have been like to drink that nasty water.

More information can be found at my little farm blog

http://waldeneffect.org/blog/Avian_Aqua_Miser_Giveaway/

 

[rooster0209]

I am using a heated dog dish for my birds this winter. It is awesome! It holds about 5qrts, if it gets too dirty, I just toss it out and refill it. They are also less than $22

 

[beak]

We have 17 hens. We use one of those small watering things that come with the McMurray starter kit. I hang a red heat lamp about 2 ft above it and it keeps the water unfrozen. Right now it is -5 outside. I set the waterer on a concrete paver so its above the shavings and stuff. We keep a spare waterer in the house and fill it in the kitchen sink in the morning to give fresh water every morning. We just rotate every day. I use a 100 ft 14ga ext cord from my garage to the coop. Never had a problem. Someday I'll get a trencher and bury a line and do it right. Been saying that for 5 years now.

I think the chickens are pretty cold tolerant. If you've ever seen your chickens with snow on them, you'll notice it doesn't melt. That's because the feathers don't allow the heat out.

Interesting they don't drink at night. Didn't know that