Vertical (gravity) vs. horizontal (spring loaded) watering nipples

[aart]

Quote: It get's pretty darn cold in Idaho too doesn't it?
What were your temps this past winter and so you have any pics and specs/links for heating elements you use showing how you heat your vessels?
I assume you don't heat your coops?

 

[pawtraitart]

It get's pretty darn cold in Idaho too doesn't it?
What were your temps this past winter and so you have any pics and specs/links for heating elements you use showing how you heat your vessels?
I assume you don't heat your coops?

Yes, it got down to 18 below last winter. Brrrrr!!!!!!!

No heated coops. For my bantams last winter I put 3 quart drinker bottles on top of seedling heat mats. I also used those foil bird bath de-icers which I set on a cinder block and put a bucket on top of that. The drum gets a 250 watt stock tank de-icer. For this winter, we're going to build insulated low wattage heat boxes for my quail and bantam drinkers (3 quart) which will work solar or outlet. They might work for the buckets as well, but it hasn't been tested yet. I didn't take any photos of our winter setup but I will this year.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
Could you elaborate a little more on your insulated heat boxes? A description of how you'll make them?

My problem hasn't been keeping the water thawed - even warm with 50 watt aquarium heaters. My problem has been the inner workings in the necks of various nipple type waterers freezing - especially the springs.

You are the second person who said they worked in winter for them so that's hopeful!

 

[pawtraitart]

Could you elaborate a little more on your insulated heat boxes? A description of how you'll make them?

My problem hasn't been keeping the water thawed - even warm with 50 watt aquarium heaters. My problem has been the inner workings in the necks of various nipple type waterers freezing - especially the springs.

You are the second person who said they worked in winter for them so that's hopeful!

We're fine tuning the overall appearance and specs on the heat boxes but they'll be launched before winter with all the info available. They are small units designed to be used in small coops and quail enclosures.

 

[Leahs Mom]

But...the prototype could be adapted to whatever size someone wanted I'm guessing!

 

[pawtraitart]

But...the prototype could be adapted to whatever size someone wanted I'm guessing!

Maybe. They are low voltage so might not heat a larger volume of water. We're making them so I don't have to run power to my small coops.

 

[Chickens R Us]

I bought some horizontal nipple waters off of EBay and made 2 waterers and put them in the runs, my 1 month old chicks were used to vertical waterers and took to it right away. My older hens took longer a couple of braver hens came over to see what I was doing so I kept flicking the steel thing and they took a few sips but didn't seem real interested. I did rule number one took all other water away. They all seem to be using it now. My main reason for using the HN is winter,hoping for less moisture in the coop and no spilled water. It gets very cold here -20 and -30 F is normal last winter -40/-50.

 

[iwiw60]

I bought some horizontal nipple waters off of EBay and made 2 waterers and put them in the runs, my 1 month old chicks were used to vertical waterers and took to it right away. My older hens took longer a couple of braver hens came over to see what I was doing so I kept flicking the steel thing and they took a few sips but didn't seem real interested. I did rule number one took all other water away. They all seem to be using it now. My main reason for using the HN is winter,hoping for less moisture in the coop and no spilled water. It gets very cold here -20 and -30 F is normal last winter -40/-50.

Yeah, our chickens are a lot smarter than we give them credit for sometimes! Like you my winter temps get frigid, too...not quite as bad as yours, here down to -10-20 for a period of 3-4 weeks. What I'm going to do is put a submersible stock tank heater, but the real small ones that are rated 500 amps, that way it won't melt the plastic of the bucket...yikes! Hint: don't use those aquarium heaters...they don't do squat with our temps. With the horizontal nipples I shouldn't have any problems with freezing up...wishing you well, and best of luck to you!!

 

[Chickens R Us]

Yeah, our chickens are a lot smarter than we give them credit for sometimes! Like you my winter temps get frigid, too...not quite as bad as yours, here down to -10-20 for a period of 3-4 weeks. What I'm going to do is put a submersible stock tank heater, but the real small ones that are rated 500 amps, that way it won't melt the plastic of the bucket...yikes! Hint: don't use those aquarium heaters...they don't do squat with our temps. With the horizontal nipples I shouldn't have any problems with freezing up...wishing you well, and best of luck to you!!   

. I have doing a little research and think I am going to try the submersible stock tank heater. The 250w is supposed to be safe for 5 gal. buckets.

 

[iwiw60]

. I have doing a little research and think I am going to try the submersible stock tank heater. The 250w is supposed to be safe for 5 gal. buckets.

WOW!! Where'd you find a 250 amp one?? Tell me, tell me, I'd like to get one that size, too!