Thinking about winter (ugh!) and water heaters....

[Smithyard Farm]

Hello everyone! this will be my first winter and Hubby and I are thinking of putting something for heat in the water bucket. I was wondering if anyone had ideas..

I have heard of fish tank thermometers and o-ring type heaters for birdbaths... We have an automatic pvc type watering system now, which will have to be turned off before freezing, so we are completely open to new ideas.... please share! Thanks!!

 

[Fred's Hens]

The heated dog dish is just plain safe, easy, readily available and inexpensive. They operate automatically. I do use a twist. I buy the large size and I just set a gallon pail into it. The kind of pail that a gallon of ice cream comes in. No fussing with changing water, outside, in zero weather. Just carry a pail of water out to the coop and swap. Easy as pie.

Or, take a gallon or two of water from the house and top off the water pails. Simple.

 

[JackE]

This is what I have used for the last two yrs. Works great, only costs $5 to build.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/107951/cookie-tin-water-heater

Jack

 

[RaeRae2]

I use the blue heated dog water bowls. They hold about 1 gallon of water, you plug them into the wall, and that's it. No worries. I have used these for many years for chickens and cats.

 

[lilchick]

I use the metal heating bases that you set the waterers on. I then use a 3 gallon plastic waterer. I know the box says to use only metal waterers but I have not had an issue with using the plastic ones. The base does not get hot enough to melt the plastic!

So nice to not have to carry water each a.m.

I am afraid the chickens will fall or step into water buckets or bowls and get chilled. I never use anything but the regular plastic waterers.

 

[coolcanoechic]

Last winter, I used the heated dog bowl. It worked well for me. They never stepped in it because I had it up on cinder blocks. It is a bit bulky and awkward for changing out the water though. I may look for new ideas this year. I wonder, if you place a regular waterer in the heated dish, if it would be warm enough not to freeze.

 

[laura625]

We have the old fashioned galvanized waterer.
It gets well below zero here winters.
Here is what has worked for us.
We put a 60 watt bulb inside a cinder block, put a big
terra cotta flowerpot saucer on top of that, and the feeder on top of that.
I the 'saucer' keeps the metal from getting too hotl.
other similar arrangements might work better for you.
These heated dog bowls sound good, i am kust no
t one to buy anything new if i can help it.

 

[Smithyard Farm]

Thanks all - but i am concerned with the temp of the tin holders.. it doesn't burn the floor )i have linoleum and shavings) also, the cinder block sounds great, but doesn't the bulb burn the floor? My house burnt down in 2001, and I am deathly afraid of fire.....

 

[JackE]

The cookie tin gets warm, I use a 40W bulb in mine and it does not get hot at all. You can hold it in your bare hands all day. Mine is set up on a concrete block in the winter, but I could put it directly into the bedding if I wanted to,(I use pine shavings) and not worry about it at all.
Jack

 

[laura625]

I love your invention, jackie! I have too many of those tins. Thats what ill use on my new coop. ( if 40eatts eill be warm enough here..)
In the type I use, the light bulb needs to be in a little porcelin fixture.
Or a small lamp if you like.
Search "chicken water heaters" on you tube. Maube seeing them will give you an idea of how safe they seem.
My concern. For fire risk was about the wire getting frayed. I just made sure that it was all covered, and not pinched.
You could always put a cinder block or paving stone between heater and floor if you want.