Water freezing solution - no electrical?

[fightingbunny]

Is it possible to economically keep a waterer from freezing with solar power? I didn't have much luck in understanding some of the articles/posts on DIY solutions. Is there any premade kits or items that I can buy that aren't commercial grade and very expensive?

My coop does not have power and it is not in the short term or long term plan to run electrical up the hill through the woods to it.

Thanks,
Jenn

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Solar isn't generally a viable option in winter in the northern parts of the country. Many days in winter the sky is cloudy, so no solar action on those days. I have solar lights out year round and most days in winter there isn't enough sun to charge them up.

 

[Sara Ranch]

I am in WV, on top of a mountain. I don't have electricity running to five of my animal buildings.

All of my animals go out everyday. Most will seek shelter elsewhere or back in their coops if things are super miserable. I don't put water or food in the coops (unless it's an extreme circumstance.) I have winterized four of the five buildings with insulation.

I bought thick rubber bowls from Tractor Supply for water and for feed for the winter. So far, I have had freezing temps and frost, but nothing else to test the bowls. So far, they have worked well.

With super short days, often cloudy in the winter, it may be hard to keep the solar panels charged to keep the water and the feed dish from freezing.

What about running an electrical cord to the coop? Lol - I know that's not a viable option for me, but is it for you?

 

[PirateGirl]

There was a really good article about using compost (process naturally creates heat) to keep your water bucket thawed.

 

[PirateGirl]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/alternate-method-to-prevent-water-freezing.73180/

 

[Hokum Coco]

keep a waterer from freezing

If for any reason you find it necessary to supply electricity to your coop via extension cord.

Please employ a "Ground Fault Outlet" also use a "Safety Chain" in conjunction to any heat lamp or incandescent bulb after mounting.
One coop fire is too many and these precautions could be the difference.

A simple action such as a rodent chewing on your extension cord could be the cause of a coop fire and a ground fault circuit could be the difference in witnessing your coop in tack or a pile of smoldering ash.

P.S. There are now a variety of ground fault extension cords available in major retail centers that also would be a wise investment.

This is another device I found useful:

https://www.amazon.ca/Farm-Innovato...8&qid=1509617763&sr=8-1&keywords=thermal+cube

 

[HoopyFrood]

I did add electricity to our coop, but I'm not planning heating the water in anyway. The only decent solution I found for that (submersible bird bath de-icer) requires more power than a small solar panel will provide IF it's sunny. We're in Maine, there can be a lot of dark days in the winter.

My solution was to just rotate water buckets twice a day. 3 gallon buckets with horizontal chicken nipples. They don't freeze quickly. We only have five birds and the coop and run are close-ish to the house that it's not a difficult chore unless three feet of snow gets piled on the ground in a day. That happens, but thankfully not THAT often.

Good luck!

 

[RonP]

My solution was to just rotate water buckets twice a day.

I'm not sure why, but I found this funny.

Rotating buckets of water twice a day was exactly the reason why I ran electricity to my coop...

Good for you!

 

[HoopyFrood]

I'm not sure why, but I found this funny.

Rotating buckets of water twice a day was exactly the reason why I ran electricity to my coop...

Good for you!

I love it! Keeping chickens is an art and there are as many ways to do it as there are chicken keepers out there! One must find one's own style

 

[Molpet]

I figure I am out collecting eggs before they freeze anyway.. so I swap out the black rubber bowls of water