Nipple-waterer setups in the winter?

[HudokFarm]

For those of you who have a nipple-waterer setup: how do you deal with winters? Our winters get quite cold here in Minnesota and it is not uncommon to be below zero for several days in a row. It is also well below zero for months on end so we just can't plan on a thaw. We built a new coop and it is insulated. It is not wired. I want to build a gravity fed nipple-waterer, but I need to figure out how to keep it thawed in the winter. Any of you clever folks have a solution for this one?

 

[Doughie]

I use an aquarium heater....works like a charm.

 

[johnnyboy]

Mine is "not wired" as well, but I bought two 100' extension cords that I'll run off of my shed. I also plan to use the nipple system but I think I might have to get the electric water heater system for the northern ohio winters

 

[Beekissed]

Someone else had stated using packing peanuts at the top of the waterer insulates the space and keeps the water from freezing....but I don't have first hand knowledge of that.

 

[chfite]

I toss a birdbath heater into the supply bucket for the cold season. Built like a tank. It cycles on and off according to the temperature. In winter, I use a supply bucket with nipples in the bottom. I don't use the tubing with nipples because I fear that the tubing will freeze so far from the supply bucket.

Chris