Water, feed, and roost tweaks? Would like some tips.

[aart]

I may just have to go with the cups. Even if it does freeze the water in the reservoir won't with supplemental heat inside of it. So taking out the frozen water in the cups won't be to dramatic of a task. Just have to keep up on it.

Cups will still freeze....you won't be able to just 'clean' them out.
Go with the HN's.

 

[MissE]

I would suggest a 3 gallon heated waterer for winter. Mine managed to keep mostly thawed this weekend and we were more than -40 F with no heat in the coop. There was just a thin skim of ice in the morning and the chickens could easily peck through it.

Also, while chickens do need 14-16 hours of day light to lay, they also need 10 hours of light to make sure they eat enough to stay warm. I'm in northern MN, and even though you can still easily see outside at 5:30 right now, they were on the roost at 4:30 when I checked on them. In December its 3:30. You may need to add a light on a timer to make sure their butts are up and moving for at least 10 hours. Wake them up in the morning with the light and let them go to bed naturally in the evening.

 

[RoosterML]

Hmm. I see, do you have a link to where I can purchase some? I appreciate you urging me to make good decisions with this water system. Whatever takes so that my birds will have access to water even I'm the most freezing Temps

Go to Amazon. Stay away from the super cheap ones. I recommend the following.
Rentacoop, Lovatic , heritage acres.
Heritage acres being the best.
I just ordered a 20pk of rentacoop ones myself

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

You’re gonna regret that. I have had open waters, cups, bowls, vertical nipples. Hands down winter time horizontal nipples are the best.

I ws going to say the same thing. Getting an "ice cube" out of a fixed plastic "container" is a pain in the butt! And it would be more than one, more than once a day!

 

[The Coop-D-etat]

Cups will still freeze....you won't be able to just 'clean' them out.
Go with the HN's.

Right I understand now. I'll be checking in to an HN set up. As I said whatever it takes to keep them having full to access to water. Thank you very much for your information and helping me out

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

I would suggest a 3 gallon heated waterer for winter. Mine managed to keep mostly thawed this weekend and we were more than -40 F with no heat in the coop. There was just a thin skim of ice in the morning and the chickens could easily peck through it.

This is what I have for my turkeys. While it is a pain in the ARSE to "flip over" after filling, I am willing to deal with it to keep them with non frozen water. I will be using the samet hing for my chickens next winter. I don't have them yet, have to wait until winter is OVER to make them somewhere to live! A friend is boarding them for me until then.

 

[The Coop-D-etat]

Jeez you really don't know how good ya got it until it's gone. Living in Washington state when I had chickens water freezing was not an issue at ALL. Maybe a couple times through the winter you'd just have to break the ice in the waterer and refill and it be good all day. Now that I'm am in a not so temperate climate I see how easy it was then welp at least I have the smarts to ask around and see the best methods for water in the Midwest.

 

[MissE]

This is what I have for my turkeys. While it is a pain in the ARSE to "flip over" after filling, I am willing to deal with it to keep them with non frozen water. I will be using the samet hing for my chickens next winter. I don't have them yet, have to wait until winter is OVER to make them somewhere to live! A friend is boarding them for me until then.

My only worry with it is them tipping it over. To solve that, I have it on blocks, in the corner, opposite the roost and have a brace that holds it in place. Theres a vent right above it, so I don't worry about vapor.

I hear you about the flipping it over. I thought I'd take the easy route and take the bottom off for filling instead of aiming for the little filler hole. I carry jugs to the coop, take the waterer out of the coop, and fill it on the ground. Well, I didn't get it attached correctly. It was well below 0 and windy and almost dark and I was in a hurry. Flipped it over and dumped it all over myself. Oops.

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

My only worry with it is them tipping it over. To solve that, I have it on blocks, in the corner, opposite the roost and have a brace that holds it in place. Theres a vent right above it, so I don't worry about vapor.

I hear you about the flipping it over. I thought I'd take the easy route and take the bottom off for filling instead of aiming for the little filler hole. I carry jugs to the coop, take the waterer out of the coop, and fill it on the ground. Well, I didn't get it attached correctly. It was well below 0 and windy and almost dark and I was in a hurry. Flipped it over and dumped it all over myself. Oops.

Been there! 2 liter pop bottles fit PERFECTLY in the hole. I use a bucket and a funnel. (Since I can carry enough in 1 5 gallon bucket rather than several 2 liter bottles. ) I stopped trying to do it the "wrong way" after I dumped it all over like you did. Luckily I did it when it wasn't freezing that day. LOL

 

[RoosterML]

Another nice thing about Horizontal Nipples is that the waterer does not omit any additional moisture into the air. Keep in mind whatever container you use it will need a small air vent hole at the top to allow air in. No air in no water out. I try to have the hole on the side at the top. Figured less dust can make its way in. Small 1/8” hole is all you need. Just check every once in awhile it doesn’t get plugged.