NEED HELP: how to make a VERY SMALL water heater

[Earthologie]

I have searched youtube, google, and BYC for some ideas on how to make *small* water heaters for the quart sized chicken/quail waterers.

I have 4 separate breeder boxes that I need to plan ahead for. I know that it is July but I want to get some ideas going now.

As you can see from the picture, I would prefer to use the pop bottle method that allows a pop bottle to be attached to the outside of the cage that has a plastic or aluminum font attached in effort to keep things clean.

Is there any way to heat this style of waterer?

If not, I will use a quart sized water if needed (white plastic jar with a red lid). Has anyone found a good safe way to keep these waterers warm?

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These cages will be in my unheated pole barn.

So far the only idea I have seen that might work is a hot pad heater:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I8YPQ4/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details

That could be wrapped around the pop bottle or the plastic quart waterer with a rubber band.

Has anyone heard of these working? And, most importantly: do you think it would be SAFE?

Also, I have done product searches as well and simply cannot find anything else that might work, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

As one can see, I don't have much room to work with, and therefore I do NOT think the cookie tin heater would work in my situation.

 

[Earthologie]

I should also add that I want to find something that cannot catch the pine bedding on fire.

 

[countrygoddess]

My husband used a part from one of their products where he works. I'll ask him what exactly that little heater is called and where his company gets it (his company makes heated sensors for the wind industry). It's this little black box-looking thing and he rigged it to a milk crate. We set the waterer on top and it keeps it just warm enough to prevent freezing. On REALLY cold days, the water might freeze, but if we shift the waterer so that one side is on the heater, then at least that one side in the trough has unfrozen water. I'll take pictures of the milk crate with the heater in it.

 

[Earthologie]

http://www.amazon.com/Farm-Innovators-Heated-Bottle-Animals/dp/B000TZ7496

I just found this 32 oz heated water bottle for small animals. Apparently it has a little stick coming out of it instead of a ball. Could a quail drink from this?

I have also considered the quart sized heated pet water bowls, but I know they quail would throw tons of bedding in it in no time flat.

 

[Earthologie]

My husband used a part from one of their products where he works. I'll ask him what exactly that little heater is called and where his company gets it (his company makes heated sensors for the wind industry). It's this little black box-looking thing and he rigged it to a milk crate. We set the waterer on top and it keeps it just warm enough to prevent freezing. On REALLY cold days, the water might freeze, but if we shift the waterer so that one side is on the heater, then at least that one side in the trough has unfrozen water. I'll take pictures of the milk crate with the heater in it.

That sounds like a good idea for my large chicken coop too.

 

[NSDWS]

I would think the heat pads would do the job since the bottles are small and out of the wind.

 

[Earthologie]

I hope they will work! Especially since I decided to try it...

 

[countrygoddess]

That sounds like a good idea for my large chicken coop too.

Oops!! Forgot all about this, sorry! I'll get information and pictures before the weather gets cold, I promise. ;-)