Want to order the Chicken Waterer and need your feedback on cold weather

[Cooperkeeper]

Hi everyone,
I am considering ordering this Chicken Waterer:
http://www.chickenwaterer.com/BriteTap-Chicken-Waterer-and-Cooler-Combo-Pack-p/bt100-2gal-combo.htm

This looks great for keeping water cool this summer and better yet save me from cleaning out slimey waterers everyday.

My question is this: I live in southwest Michigan, would love to use this year round and figured someone here has figured out a great way to do this. I currently have standard gallon waterer that we set on a cement block with light bulb in cavity operating on a thermocube all winter. This works great. No frozen water. But still my girls scratch their bedding/poop/etc into the water tray requiring frequent cleaning.

I would love to hear from any of you that have a good system, with this or other nipple style waterer.

Thanks.

 

[Arielle]

Have you concidered adding ACV to the water? No slime.

 

[Arielle]

Oh, I use white vinegar too as it is cheaper just to prevent the slime. Sorry I don't know the product linked.

 

[cosmo1104]

I'd make your own, should cost about $7-15. Just order chicken nipples from ebay or amazon, 5 for around $5 shipped, and a insulated cooler $3 or so at Oddlots or walmart. I'm using a bucket for now, but will make a new one with an old cooler for the summer. All you need is a 5/16th drill bit and 2 or 3 minutes and done.

 

[ak rain]

I'm just researching this. So marking thread. I live in Alaska and chicks arrive in 2 weeks.
There are things that bird ponds thawed. But lid would have to be open for cord. I have naighbor who dumps water each night and refills in morning. Her thought is chickens sleep at night and so no water needed.
Again I'm researching and no experience
Ak rain

 

[patti17340]

likeI just got a nipple system it attached to a cooler like the one in the link and love it.. No more messy water bowls.. I used and electric dog dish last 2 winters and have been wondering how I would keep the water from freezing in this new system. I am pretty sure the water in the cooler will be fine but the water in the plastic holder with the nipples may freeze and crack. I have about 5 months to come up with something. Not as cold here as it is in Alaska I am sure..

 

[pineneedlefarms]

I use the chicken nipples as well. Do you think the chickens get enough water at time using them?

I connect nipples to a PVC pipe and insert to bucket.

 

[patti17340]

I have been wondering about that since I have had a decrease in egg production since using the nipples compared to the open bowl. I don't seem to be using as much water. I have taken to giving them wet mash everyother day just to be sure they are getting enough fluids. OMG these chicken are as bad as kids the way you have worry about them.

and now I am thinking about adding goats to the mix.. I have lost my 60 year old mind...

 

[pineneedlefarms]

Yeah, I still use milk jugs with water just to make sure.

 

[Jazzimom]

I too live in SW Michigan(S.of Kalamazoo) and I am considering something along the lines of this. However I am more concerned about winter..I did see a post where someone was using the pipe tape(electric) to wrap their bucket like you would wrap your pipes to keep from freezing. I am probably going to do that and see how well it works. How did you keep yours from freezing this past winter?