I saw some ideas folks had used to keep water liquid in freezing temperatures and one included using heated bird baths or heated dog bowl. I do not recommend either for chickens as the birds have a tendency to "fall into" the open areas and get soaked and then can freeze to death very easily. I recently used a heated plastic dog dish since it was in the barn and I thought I'd save myself a trip back to the house for warm water in the morning (not needed at night since the birds don't move around in the dark so they don't drink). I set up the open dog bowl and hens came right over to investigate and drink, but one climbed on to the rim for a better vantage point and was promptly pushed into the water by her "friends." Thankfully, I was right there and was able to towel her off immediately and bring her into the house to dry out, otherwise I fear she'd have frozen to death with below zero temperatures.
I highly recommend the tin can water warmer for your standing watering devices. They are inexpensive to make and work like a charm, bypassing the $60.00 ones they sell at poultry outlets.
I highly recommend the tin can water warmer for your standing watering devices. They are inexpensive to make and work like a charm, bypassing the $60.00 ones they sell at poultry outlets.
