No more freezing waterers this year

[amazondoc]

Very cool!

 

[Omran]

Quote:
That's really very nice

 

[ivan3]

DawnSuiter wrote: I've been running this since the cold weather set in. I made it of course out of things I had on hand.
It's holding an average temperature in the low 50's even with the temps into the single digits during the night and even all day when it barely is hitting 20

I like the way you think

Just a couple of things to add, on our experience with the heated dog bowls. The roo was getting his wattles in the water, worse yet, I opened the coop on one cold morning to find him `lounging' in the `hot tub'. Started using the lid of an old tupperware container to cover all but a couple of inches of the top of the bowl, and weighted down the lid with a brick on a short section of 1"x6". As the waterer in the a corner the chooks don't like to park on it. No more worrying about frozen wattles or having to carry around the roo, in the crook of my arm, wrapped in a towel like an angry football (better a `wet hen' than roo).​

 

[amazondoc]

Quote:
Great images!

Another suggestion:

As I found out recently, it is possible to purchase thermostats that plug in between your outlet and whatever you're using to provide heat. Some are quite expensive, but you can get relatively cheap ones that are made for reptiles priced at around $25. You can adjust them to whatever temp you like, so the lights (or other heating element) won't be running all the time. Just a thought!

 

[BirdBrain]

Quote:
Take hot water to them 3-4 times a day and they will be fine. Water takes longer to freeze over if it is a larger amount. Try using a bucket instead of fonts.

 

[Smokin Silkies]

I spent about $3 for both of my 'heated waterers'. I did the cookie tin heaters. I spent $.50 for each strand of lights (2) and $1 for each cookie tin (2). Instead of a bulb I used a set of christmas lights. I put the lights in the tin, put the lid on and set my plastic waterer on top. It gets cold in PA and they haven't froze yet...even in the teens! I could've bought the $20-$40 heated bowls or waterers but instead I did my own and saved myself alot of money! Works just as good!

 

[2txmedics]

Bird, thanks so much!!!! It got awfully cold here last night again, 17...Im gonna try that I love the idea dawn had on the warm water buckets....I just need electric running out that way....

thanks again!!

 

[DawnSuiter]

Quote:
Well.. we still haul 2 gallon buckets of warm water each morning... comes out the tap at 107 and holds until dark without freezing.
At night we bring them in and sit them on a towel by the front door. Top them off in the a.m. and haul them back out. That's 12 buckets twice a day but two gallons holds well... the one gallon ones are frozen mid day.

I haven't gotten anything hooked up yet except the test bucket featured... I think the dog water bowls are coming today or Monday so I'll have to keep hauling until then and after I test it against the buckets before I decide which to hook up where.

 

[Mrs MIA]

I have a couple of those bowls, too... Couple of things, though...
1) You have to keep an eye on the water level. They dry out fast with a lot of birds. I use a gallon milk jug to replenish several times a day. Love them, though.
2) Roosters can dip their wattles in the water, and when it's below freezing, that's asking for frostbite. Just keep an eye on them.

 

[Omran]

Oh my God, in this thread I learned a lot of new tricks, I really appreciate it too, lets keep it going may be we can find more creative ways.
Awesome.