Waddles-water-winter

[CalgaryFarmer]

It is currently -24c, which is -11f for our American friends.

We use a roasting pan to water. We empty it in the morning (turn it upside down and pour water on the bottom until the ice falls out) and then add water through out the day as the existing water freezes. The roasting pan obviously fills up during the day.

As it fills up, the hen or rooster does not need to bend down as far. I added a small log so they can stand on it. For the rooster, I am thinking there is less risk of getting water on their waddles if they bend down further. Does this make sense?

 

[Al Gerhart]

They will be fine, the worst is some frost bite that trims the wattles.

Back in the day roosters got their wattles trimmed with a pair of scissors. They screamed bloody murder while doing it but after being dropped on the ground they went back to normal, taking care of hens and crowing.

Barbaric, sure, but we still castrate lots of male animals so to each his own.

 

[SamLockwood]

It is currently -24c, which is -11f for our American friends.

We use a roasting pan to water. We empty it in the morning (turn it upside down and pour water on the bottom until the ice falls out) and then add water through out the day as the existing water freezes. The roasting pan obviously fills up during the day.

As it fills up, the hen or rooster does not need to bend down as far. I added a small log so they can stand on it. For the rooster, I am thinking there is less risk of getting water on their waddles if they bend down further. Does this make sense?

I went to nipple waterers for a variety of reasons, includng keeping rooster wattles dry. An in-tank heater usually keeps them from freezing up.