The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

Has anyone used heat tape in the chicken house for waterers or ff pans?



I was wondering if I coiled it under my feed pans in the flower box thingie if it would make enough heat to keep them from freezing and if it would be fire-safe.

The feeder box



Heat tape http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&linkCode=as2&tag=thewaleff-20#productDetails

 

[armorfirelady]

LM I have read about and seen where people have wrapped it around buckets to use as waterer's here on BYC. I would think it would work for the glass feeders as well?

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: Poor us.

 

[aoxa]

Has anyone used heat tape in the chicken house for waterers or ff pans?



I was wondering if I coiled it under my feed pans in the flower box thingie if it would make enough heat to keep them from freezing and if it would be fire-safe.

The feeder box



Heat tape http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&linkCode=as2&tag=thewaleff-20#productDetails

I want one... Doing gutter feeders again this winter, and I think it would be great.. if it was fire safe. Definitely not around the goats though. I can see them chewing it :|

 

[aoxa]

Poor us.

Try googling Blue Yurt Farms. She is having a hen bag giveaway


I'd totally collect eggs in it.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I'm thinking that if it isn't out in the open where they can get to it... as in a bucket inside a bucket on which you would wrap the tape on the interior bucket and the exterior bucket would cover over the tape. With just the cord coming out.

They are for use on PLASTIC and metal pipes. I just don't know how hot they get. May not be hot enough..but if it keeps pipes from freezing ... of course, most pipes have a pretty small diameter and it just has to keep it from freezing solid.

They do have various kinds of heat tapes. I don't know what the main differences are except what they are made of. Not sure how hot each one goes.

 

[armorfirelady]

I would think that there is heat tape made for outside so pipes don't freeze that it would be fire safe,

I have thought of using the heating cables for roofs that keep ice off it.

But I am going to try my solar heated box first. And I figure this year I am only going to feed as much as they cane at in15-20 min. And feed twice a day. We get cold but I don't think it will freeze that fast. Lol plus that about how long it takes them to eat now.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: I wish my daughter, Leah could see that! She LOVED hats and purses...had LOTS of odd ones. I think she would LOVE that!

 

[armorfirelady]

So question for those of you who ferment grains. Does it smell strong like commercial food does when it's fermented? Grains have been in a AVC with mother since Tuesday afternoon. Slight smell of pickling and some bubbles when I stir........... New thing for me so I am curious.

Also for those who FF with peas in them. Do you ferment them whole? Do they get soft or mushy? I put mine in whole and and they are soft enough I can easily pop them in half when I squeeze gently and soft enough my finger nail goes into them easily.

The 5 gallon buckets has been fermenting in the house and I just moved it next to the wood stove to see if it starts to ferment faster.
Thanks!!

 

[ki4got]

I would think that there is heat tape made for outside so pipes don't freeze that it would be fire safe,

I have thought of using the heating cables for roofs that keep ice off it.

But I am going to try my solar heated box first. And I figure this year I am only going to feed as much as they cane at in15-20 min. And feed twice a day. We get cold but I don't think it will freeze that fast. Lol plus that about how long it takes them to eat now.

outside pipes still need to have insulation wrapped around after you put the heat tape on it...