NY chicken lover!!!!

[ke5hde]

For those who use the red screw in nub water things, the kind you can put on PVC pipes and 5gal buckets, have you ever run an aquarium heater into the bucket to keep the water from freezing? Thoughts?

I was thinking of ordering the red screw on nub things and rigging up a bucket for the winter since my current water situation not only freezes but if brought inside gets bedding in the trough. I could get a small aquarium heater to keep the water warm and run the line out of a hole in the back of the bucket. I could probably even go with something bigger than a 5gal pail if I could find something both safe and durable. I have access to food grade 5gal buckets.

I went to nipples this year and am trying the fish tank heater. So far so good except the 100w one is too long to go across the bottom, I'm going to a 50w in each of them. Country Max is the cheapest for the heaters.

 

[rancher hicks]

It thickens up some once i mix it. But it's still almost like a cream of wheat. I add more dry to what is scoop to make more like cookie dough.

You want water on top to help keep mold from growing. Also you can use panty hose to cover to keep stuff out and let it breath.

Mine smells like wet food mixed with sour dough smell. My wife don't like the smell but i dont mind it. Mine is kept in kitchen so it will stay 68+

In case folks don't know it. In the making of sour dough bread the femented liquid is not completely used but some is held and more added to it to keep the fermentation process going. This is so they don't have to wait for the fermentation to start all over again.

I suspect folks are doing the same thing with fermented feed ? Is that correct?

 

[Tab's chicken obsession]

It's good to be an adult and have a night out, at least once in a while!

I agree with you whole heartedly! (even if I only get one maybe once a year)

 

[Lynzi777]

I really need to make one of those bucket waterers. I need to get the drill bit size in order to do so though. I can probably pick it up at the local hardware store. But then of course I'd also run into the problem with it freezing. I'm assuming these aquarium heaters need electricity to work? I already have enough going on with cords outside.

 

[rancher hicks]

The baby has been napping all morning. I was able to wash dishes and eggs then start another load of laundry. Yay! Now to see if she is hungry.

Edited to add: Rancher how is Donovan doing?

Just came home from there. DD needed someone to help since she can't bend over. She has the staples taken out this week. Donovan is being good. Sleeps most of the time. I brought home some things to wash. DW will take them back later.

I've a sore throat so I didn't hole him.

Does anyone have pics of their fermented feed. Is it just the grains or is it the crumbles? ,

 

[Lynzi777]

Lynzi, the duck pond you made looks great! Your ducks sure seem to approve! What a cute pic... It's nice that you got out for some grown-up socializing at the Dino BBQ. Sounds like a fun night with great food. I still have trouble leaving the kids, and they're getting pretty big! Hubby and I recently attended the Hope for the Bereaved Dinner at the On Center. It was a very enjoyable night out and not our usual routine! It's good to be an adult and have a night out, at least once in a while!


TOB

I'm with ya there! Thats why I traveled so often to CT when I lived in Albany! LOL I would go down there just hang out with friends every weekend before making the move up here because I knew I wouldn't travel down there nearly as often. I'm so glad I found a good sitter that the kids enjoyed having over. That was there first time with someone other than our parents. Not because I had a hard time leaving them with someone but because I couldn't FIND anyone that at least a friend knew and could recommend to me. So I finally found someone who was interested in watching them and who also drives but is still in high school and I'm sure looking for ways to make a little extra cash. It was sooooo nice to get out and support my husband and enjoy his 5 course dinner!

 

[rancher hicks]

For those who use the red screw in nub water things, the kind you can put on PVC pipes and 5gal buckets, have you ever run an aquarium heater into the bucket to keep the water from freezing? Thoughts?

I was thinking of ordering the red screw on nub things and rigging up a bucket for the winter since my current water situation not only freezes but if brought inside gets bedding in the trough. I could get a small aquarium heater to keep the water warm and run the line out of a hole in the back of the bucket. I could probably even go with something bigger than a 5gal pail if I could find something both safe and durable. I have access to food grade 5gal buckets.

I've read that there is one you can use but haven't try it.

I'm back to the nipple waterers in two runs and may do a third in the back hoop coop. Chickens need a lot of water and I don't think they get enough with the nipples.

 

[stonykill]

So where do you think all the ducks go in the wild when winter approaches...not ALL ducks migrate ya know ;-) Seriously tho, I'm glad they are out and about! Otherwise I'd have one messy duck house and it would have to be cleaned all winter long! Yuck!

we have a flock of at least 30 black ducks that hang in one of our back fields and in the nearly frozen Stonykill Creek water all winter long.

 

[armorfirelady]

Rancher here is mine. All grains. Wheat, oats, flax seed, Canadian peas. I add alfalfa and fish meal before I feed it out. And yes if your starting ff in a new bucket just pour in some of the liquid from the other bucket. For winter I just keep it in the crock so it's the same liquid all the time

 

[Lynzi777]

we have a flock of at least 30 black ducks that hang in one of our back fields and in the nearly frozen Stonykill Creek water all winter long. 

That's what I'm saying, I see ducks all the time around here in the ponds and lakes nearby. Some migrate, but obviously not all make the trip down south in the winter.