Retired firefighter now raising chickens

[muddy75]

 

[RECKLESSTEEGAN2011]

I'm actually just using a heated dog water bowl and it's working great. The only downside is that I have to refill the bowl every 2 days. I currently am down to 2 chickens (I lost 2 to predators at the end of the summer), but I'm sure there are different sizes of these types of bowls that you can buy and that you can find one that fits your needs. I'm also located in Indiana, so I feel your pain!

SMART!

 

[N F C]

Hi, thanks for joining! I had a small flock and like @Joey S used a heated dog waterer (no problems with large wattles in my small flock). If you want more ideas, check out the articles in the Learning Center, written by members that have created their own:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/feeders-waterers.26/

 

[BoundlessLove]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens!
Glad to have you here!

 

[chrissynemetz]

Hi, and welcome to BYC! We're happy to have you with us!

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC! I'm in a warmer climate so cannot offer advice.
(I just wanted to brag that I am in a warmer climate. Not to worry, I'll get my comeuppance when summer hits.)

 

[FunClucks]

We got temps down to -20F one winter (yes, in ALABAMA!) for a week or two. When temps get that low, I use 5 gallon bucket horizontal nipple waterers to avoid having my birds step in open sources of water or freeze wattles (I have idiotic chickens who WILL freeze their feet off by stepping in dog bowls). I put bucket heaters in the 5 gal buckets, and that keeps things warm enough to use. There's other options too, but I know that one works for me. Here's the one I used off of Amazon as an example.

 

[Appalachickens]

Welcome! I use a submersible water heater like this one in a 10 gallon waterer. Seems to be working really well.

 

[Joey S]

OH - @DobieLover - I didn't know about this. My girls just put their beaks in the water, not their wattles. So please note this warning everybody!!