Water Heater Advice Needed!

[Devyn Nagy]

I have plastic hanging water buckets with nipples. I need a water heater before it gets cold. Are there heaters to accommodate this?

Thanks!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Do you think it would work with vertical nipples if I propped it up somehow?

Vertical nipples freeze pretty much at point of freezing, regardless if the water inside the waterer is kept liquid, because most of the nipple mechanism is external and exposed to freezing temperatures.

Horizontal nipples have more of the mechanism internal so are less prone to freezing as long as the water inside is kept liquid.

 

[Acre4Me]

There are plastic bucket heaters sold at feed stores. An aquarium heater isn’t meant to use outdoors in MI cold weather.

 

[jreardon1918]

I use a farm innovators 250 volt heater. In a 5 gallon plastic bucket with HN.

 

[RoosterML]

Do you think it would work with vertical nipples if I propped it up somehow?

No. Switch to horizontal nipples or you’ll be cryin

 

[Crazy Fun Chicken Lady]

I agree. Horizontal nipples are a must for winter.

 

[Gooseface]

An aquarium heater would work....you would have to set it up so that 1) it’s not touching the plastic 2) it’s always fully sumbmerged. If it’s not always submerged it will burn out.

 

[wamtazlady]

I use this deicer. It has a thermostat so it turns on when the water gets close to freezing and turns off when it is safely above freezing.

 

[Crazy Fun Chicken Lady]

https://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Chicken-Supplies/Perfect-Bucket-Heater-De-Icer-p2402.aspx

I use these in buckets with horizontal nipples.

 

[Crazy Fun Chicken Lady]

Oh no. I have an older model that has lasted for years. I just ordered 2 of the new model. I hope they hold up. Thanks for the heads up.