Need Extreme Cold Weather Reassurance...and some Frostbite advice

[bobbi-j]

What kind of heated waterer are you using? Last year I bought 2 of the heated dog water bowls as they seemed the best fit for my chickens. I only use them when the temps are freezing or lower. I have one inside my coop and one in their run where it's protected from rain or snow.

* * * C A U T I O N * * *

When I recently unplugged the dish to clean it and noticed that the heating element had a burned a hole on the underside of the dish. I immediately checked the one inside the coop and the same thing happened, although the hole was a bit smaller. I thanked the gods for not having burned down my coop. The cords have been cut off both bowls and I now take warmish water out and fill them.

Note: I had noticed that on the coldest days thick ice was still forming in the bowl edges where previously it stayed fairly well thawed. This probably should have been a sign that it wasn't functioning normally.View attachment 1658124 View attachment 1658125 View attachment 1658126

Keep a close eye on any electrical appliance you use in a coop. I was very timid about getting anything after reading about coop fires here on BYC. I really thought these bowls were a safe way of keeping their water from freezing. Not so now!

Thanks for the heads up! I will have to go check mine. I do keep mine on cement blocks, but that was mainly to keep the water a little cleaner.

 

[Crooked Chicken]

Thanks for the heads up! I will have to go check mine. I do keep mine on cement blocks, but that was mainly to keep the water a little cleaner.

The bowl in the run is up on blocks as well, so it's well ventilated underneath and not sitting in mud. The one inside the coop is on top of a large storage bin with a little straw around it (but not underneath it) to collect poop. The one outside has a bit larger hole melted in it than the one inside. I'm still using them, but have cut the cords off.

 

[vantain]

What kind of heated waterer are you using? Last year I bought 2 of the heated dog water bowls as they seemed the best fit for my chickens. I only use them when the temps are freezing or lower. I have one inside my coop and one in their run where it's protected from rain or snow.

* * * C A U T I O N * * *

When I recently unplugged the dish to clean it and noticed that the heating element had a burned a hole on the underside of the dish. I immediately checked the one inside the coop and the same thing happened, although the hole was a bit smaller. I thanked the gods for not having burned down my coop. The cords have been cut off both bowls and I now take warmish water out and fill them.

Note: I had noticed that on the coldest days thick ice was still forming in the bowl edges where previously it stayed fairly well thawed. This probably should have been a sign that it wasn't functioning normally.View attachment 1658124 View attachment 1658125 View attachment 1658126

Keep a close eye on any electrical appliance you use in a coop. I was very timid about getting anything after reading about coop fires here on BYC. I really thought these bowls were a safe way of keeping their water from freezing. Not so now!

This is what I am using, and have been quite impressed with:
http://www.farminnovators.com/HB-60P Sell Sheet.pdf

 

[spiritpots]

I have Farm Innovators Model HP-125 heated base that is used with metal waterers. I am also very cautious with anything electrical in the coop. I keep this in the run and have it sitting on old patio blocks to elevate it above the ground and anything combustible that may be nearby. I have also covered the cord with bricks so the chickens are not tempted to peck at it. I have not had any issues with it so far. Here's a link:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HHQDPM/?tag=backy-20

 

[vantain]

If she won't go for treats...bring her in a bit warmer place for a couple hours and get some electrolytes in her.

I may have to consider this. She's just not herself today. She is spending all of her time in the coop away from the others. She did wander out there for a bit to scratch around on the ground, but them came back inside, got up on the roost and is just sitting there. For a bit, she was just screeching loudly, then settled down. I'm going to take some scrambled eggs out to her.

The others are still outside, and admittedly also just sitting on the outside roost. No one seems to want to do much today.

Maybe I'm just being paranoid.

 

[WhoDatChick]

I was afraid to come on here today (I was here yesterday for my own reassurance) for fear that yalls chickens have froze! I am SO glad to see all is well! I can imagine what yall go through with worry! As I worry about mine... last night we were down to 27.. but only for a couple of hours.. I come here to read about how yall handle things and it definitely reassures me!! I would imagine that 27 is quite warm for everyone dealing with the cold yall are dealing with! I am always grateful for all of the advice from the knowledgeable people on BYC... what a great community!!

 

[WhoDatChick]

I use this over my run and let it hang over the sides to deter ground predators even more than the fencing alone (easy to get tangled up in it). I haven’t had a bird of prey attack since I put it up 2 years ago. I’ve seen hawks fly relatively low over it before, but they just keep on going.

https://bestchoiceproducts.com/prod...MIpeWf7caU4AIVja_ICh3irg8KEAQYASABEgJIU_D_BwE

I just found this thread yesterday and I’m so glad you posted about this as I was JUST trying to figure out what I should use... I am planning on making a fairly large yard attached to their run and was wondering about this exact stuff to use to cover the whole yard... it’s good to know that it works.. I want to take every precaution I can to keep them safe.... thanks!

 

[WhoDatChick]

Oh, and btw, 27 IS extreme cold for us!!

 

[bobbi-j]

I would imagine that 27 is quite warm for everyone dealing with the cold yall are dealing with!

Oh yeah, that's shorts and t-shirt weather around here. Thinking of breaking out the bikini and doing some sunbathing on Saturday. It's supposed to get all the way up to 34*!

 

[Crooked Chicken]

Oh yeah, that's shorts and t-shirt weather around here. Thinking of breaking out the bikini and doing some sunbathing on Saturday. It's supposed to get all the way up to 34*!

It was -8 degrees this morning and finally warmed to 3 degrees. I forgot what they said temp was with windchill -- something like negative 27.

My coop is about a hundred years old and I did a lot of patching, no insulation. They've got a lot of places to roost and straw/wood chips on the floor and a few other surfaces they like to hang out. It was about 18 degrees inside the coop today when I was out for the daily cleaning. I let them in their run for a short time just so they could get out, but not long enough to get frostbite. I gave their run a quick wrap with sunscreen last year and it's been great in providing shade and wind protection.

I broke open the extra bale of straw I had sitting in there to let them dig through it -- that always is a fun activity for them and warms them up. I sat in the middle of the house and snuggled those that wanted it

We had 2 feet of snow a couple of weeks ago and are currently getting what I hope is just a dusting. This photo was taken when the snow was only about 8 inches deep.