Problems with this Waterer

[MKetter]

No. Why would it?

Metal in the sun.

 

[nuthatched]

Metal in the sun.

It's not going to make the water any hotter than a plastic waterer.

 

[Debbie292d]

Metal in the sun.

Exactly. Metal is a thermal conductor. Plastic isn't.

 

[nuthatched]

Exactly. Metal is a thermal conductor. Plastic isn't.

Not with the mass of the water insude it, any heat difference will be minimal, metal also doesn't leach chemical into water when warm.

 

[Debbie292d]

Not with the mass of the water insude it, any heat difference will be minimal, metal also doesn't leach chemical into water when warm.

Put a metal can full of water in the sun, and an equal-sized can in the sun that's plastic. Put a thermometer in each. The metal will heat the water up. The plastic will too, but much less and much slower.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Regardless of material, waterers do best kept in the shade. The sun will degrade the plastic and the water will be warm either way which is yucky. Fun side note about the plastic in the cold: it breaks really easily if it gets too cold. That’s how I lost one of mine-bumped it into something and the top shattered.

 

[Debbie292d]

Regardless of material, waterers do best kept in the shade. The sun will degrade the plastic and the water will be warm either way which is yucky. Fun side note about the plastic in the cold: it breaks really easily if it gets too cold. That’s how I lost one of mine-bumped it into something and the top shattered.

Our plastic ones outside in growout pens are electric, so heated, and the ones indoors in the two coops are 5-gallon nipple buckets. The coops are heated to 40°F so they won't freeze. I could see how that would happen, though, if it were just a regular plastic waterer and the water inside froze.

Plastic is considered an insulator though. Metal is not. At least not for these purposes of storing water into them.

 

[Laurasb65]

I've been using this since April with no problems.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I could see how that would happen, though, if it were just a regular plastic waterer and the water inside froze.

I have never used heated waterers. There wasn’t any water in it. It was just very weak. I’ve seen it before with my dog’s slobbery frisbee in Alaska. I imagine there was moisture inside that helped break the plastic. I prefer black rubber bowls for water in the winter. I am sure a heated one would be a lot easier haha