Topic of the Week - Keeping Water from Freezing

[StinkyAcres]

I use this outside the coop. It also works fine and has kept water unfrozen up to about -20F, covered in snow and literally outside in the elements. Only qualm here is the birds can get their wattles wet while drinking and causes frostbite.

I also use this heated bucket for my chickens and sheep and keep it outside to prevent moisture buildup inside. Inside the coop in the winter I switch out the gravity-fed fountain-type chicken waterer with a 2-gallon bucket and change the water a couple times a day. The water doesn't freeze as fast in a deep bucket compared to a normal chicken waterer.

I use this deep heated dog bowl in my duck pen.

 

[CrazyAsianChickenLady]

View attachment 3987754

Keeping water from freezing is a constant challenge in winter. This week, I’d love to hear your tips and strategies for ensuring your flock has access to unfrozen water. For example:

• What types of water heaters or solutions have worked best for you?
• Do you use DIY methods to keep water thawed, like insulating containers or heated bases?
• How often do you check and change the water during the coldest parts of winter?
• What tips do you have for areas where power is not available?

Anything else you'd like to add?

I use a dog waterer& remove the big plastic container part. I use an insulated bowl to "stop up" that bowl sized hole. But- under it I first put those air activated hand/foot warmers, cover it with a small glass custard cup & fill the insulated/thick plastic bowl with water. The part where the dog would usually drink out of, I do up with another bowl to help insulate.

 

[bearcreekbees]

This is my new favorite heated waterer-

https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/heated-poultry-waterer?cat_id=141

I used to have the white one that someone else posted but after 5 years of hard use it gave up the ghost last winter. And by hard use I mean that we have nighttime temps in the minus 40 deg F range here in Northern MN. So I replaced the old one with the Premier 1 model and we will see how long this one lasts in our harsh climate. I like this one because the cord can be removed when the heater is not needed- however, after I bought it I decided that I could probably extend it's life by using the old one during warm weather and Keeping the new heated one for use only when we absolutely need the heat. So I cut the electrical cord off of the old one and have been using it without the heater- once it starts to get ice at night I will put the new one out for the duration.

 

[ChickyWhicky]

This is my new favorite heated waterer-

https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/heated-poultry-waterer?cat_id=141

I used to have the white one that someone else posted but after 5 years of hard use it gave up the ghost last winter. And by hard use I mean that we have nighttime temps in the minus 40 deg F range here in Northern MN. So I replaced the old one with the Premier 1 model and we will see how long this one lasts in our harsh climate. I like this one because the cord can be removed when the heater is not needed- however, after I bought it I decided that I could probably extend it's life by using the old one during warm weather and Keeping the new heated one for use only when we absolutely need the heat. So I cut the electrical cord off of the old one and have been using it without the heater- once it starts to get ice at night I will put the new one out for the duration.

I am interested in this model too. Let me know how it fares. Iowa here so we get the arctic temps too. Can that one be kept outdoors?

 

[Vicker]

I have a heated bucket.

 

[Swivelhip]

Homemade horizontal nipple water out of a cat liter bucket with a aquarium tank heater in it.

 

[RobG7aChattTN]

I have a plastic 55 gallon barrel in an insulated box that has a 40’ pipe heater wrapped around it. Then I have a PVC pipe coming out of that and it goes through 6 pens. The PVC pipe has a pipe heater on it with a larger PVC pipe over that (so the pipe heater tape is sandwiched in between) and nipples are coming off of those (bigger hole in the outside PVC pipe to allow for the whole nipple and the the smaller PVC pipe with the water has the nipples screwed directly into it). It keeps liquid water down to 10°F and if we get colder it freezes but quickly goes liquid when it warms up a bit.

 

[RobG7aChattTN]

I thought that was only on Facebook where people swear that works. I don't think I've seen it here. If I did, I'd have to scroll by.

I listen to a poultry podcast that mentioned the salt water bottle in the water bucket thing and it’s too bad they don’t google things to fact check themselves.

 

[Love Donkeys]

When our farm was in the Upstate NY snow belt it was horrible for man and beast! We would have a yearly average of 100+ inches of snow. We usually stayed below freezing for at least 3 months. We use floating stock-tank heater and put concrete blocks beside the black rubber type stock-tank to act as steps for our dogs, cats and chickens....

In Alabama we still use a floating heater and stock-tank. Since our chickens are free-range the is no water in the coop during the winter. The chickens and barn cats use the cement block stairs to access the stock-tank in the "catch pen"....

 

[ThatsMyPurseIdontknowyou]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9M2CLBN