nipple water system help

[WestNashChick]

I used a 10 gallon bucket and installed horizontal nipples for my flock of four chickens. It's worked perfectly, but this morning, the top of the water and nipples were frozen. I knew this would happen but I didn't think this fast! I've seen several suggestions, including bird bath heater or some type of trough heater. Has anyone found something that works well? Thanks!

 

[Hokum Coco]

I used a 10 gallon bucketbut this morning, the top of the water and nipples were frozen.

Watering
For along time I used heater tape around a bucket with chicken watering nipples. It worked excellent. However me being me I neglected to change the water as often as I should. This is what it looks like and it thermostatically controlled to come on at just above the freezing temperature. You would have to wrap it to suit your particular application if it is viable for your set up. It is available at Home Depot in Canada.




Last year I switched to white rubber contains the wife found somewhere. The freeze solid every night but the ice just pops out of them in the morning and I replenish them with fresh warm water. They have black ones at the feed store that are similar but large than mine.

The chickens congregate around them like people having their morning coffee. The only draw back is my yard is pepper with small ice bergs the size of the buckets.

April looks after that however..