Water freezing in winter - didn't freeze last year

[Mouthwash]

I have a 5 gallon galventized waterer with a heated base. Last year my water stayed thawed even in the - 20 f weather we had for a week. This year the water is half frozen at 20f. To the point I have to lug it inside the laundry room and run hot water over the waterer to thaw it to where I can even open it. Any suggestions as to what is different? Base is warm to the touch like it was last year in the cold, but not hot.

 

[lagrange chicks]

Never had a heated base but have heard they seem to only last 1 season. I've decided to just change water containers in the morning since I go out early to put wood in our furnace anyway.

 

[Mouthwash]

Never had a heated base but have heard they seem to only last 1 season. I've decided to just change water containers in the morning since I go out early to put wood in our furnace anyway.

You know maybe I should get myself a couple 2 gallon waterer and switch them out instead of lugging the 5 gallon and thawing it every morning.

 

[MountainWoman73]

I've also had bad luck with heated waterers. I've never used a base, but I've had a few heated hanging waterers that quit functioning in one way or another. My best and longest lasting option is an open heated dog bowl outside in the run. I carry out water in a different bucket, so I don't have to unplug a waterer and bring it in to fill anymore.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I use heated rubber buckets and have no issues with them. The heated bases, dog bowls, poultry waterers all have either stopped working when I needed them the most or cracked on me. The heated buckets I use are rated down to -40F. I buy mine from Statelinetack.com

 

[Krugerrand]

Be sure to test and confirm the outlet is working.

 

[jreardon1918]

I have a 5 gallon galventized waterer with a heated base. Last year my water stayed thawed even in the - 20 f weather we had for a week. This year the water is half frozen at 20f. To the point I have to lug it inside the laundry room and run hot water over the waterer to thaw it to where I can even open it. Any suggestions as to what is different? Base is warm to the touch like it was last year in the cold, but not hot.

Is the waterer a gravity open at the bottom type? Like the picture attached? I imagine if it gets cold enough, the base heater has to work hard to keep the reservoir liquid. I use a 5 gallon bucket with horizontal nipples. There is a submersible heater in the bucket that keeps the water to roughly 40F.

 

[Chicken Heel]

Here along the central VA/NC border, I use rubber bowls and either dump the water out at dusk/then refill next morning or top off partially filled ones with hot water to allow the chickens to get a drink as they come off the roost. But the second option would not work well in colder climates.

 

[Mouthwash]

Is the waterer a gravity open at the bottom type? Like the picture attached? I imagine if it gets cold enough, the base heater has to work hard to keep the reservoir liquid. I use a 5 gallon bucket with horizontal nipples. There is a submersible heater in the bucket that keeps the water to roughly 40F.

It is that type and believe or not the liquid in the lip around stays less frozen than the liquid inside. I wonder if the 5 gallon size is the issue, and if I downsized to 2 gallons it would have an easier time.

 

[Mouthwash]

Be sure to test and confirm the outlet is working.

The base is warm to the touch, it is heating.