Water in winter

[centrarchid]

you are in holts summit I can't believe it I live in holts summit also the heated dog bowl is the why to go        

Ys Holts Summmit. We get by with freezing water by consuming cracked ice, multiple refillings, and moist feeds.

 

[shodack]

My husband suggested a reptile heating pad to me for under the water, but I worry that it wouldn't hold up to the outdoor conditions. I do like the 2x6 box idea, but it will probably not work for the entire winter here. I'm going to get a heated dog dish for backup, I think.

 

[SuburbanFlock]

I two have no power in my coop, I could put it in just there is something about the piece of mind with no chance of fire. I did try using the rubber feed bowls as they are easier to break ice out of and refill, but then again I was able to refill through the day. I then got lazy and did not feel like refilling several times a day. I have a five gallon bucket outside the coop that I put a stock tank heater in, only on the really cold days do my nipples freeze. I just ran a cord from the house to the coop, again because I did not want the heater / electricity near the wooden coop. as my birds get a little crazy from time to time I could see them somehow knocking stuff over. needless to say if you can get a cord out there with one of those water tight cord connects, get a bucket raise it off the ground and cover it somehow put it under a overhang etc, and toss a good size bird bath deicer in there.

 

[jerrey]

My husband suggested a reptile heating pad to me for under the water, but I worry that it wouldn't hold up to the outdoor conditions. I do like the 2x6 box idea, but it will probably not work for the entire winter here. I'm going to get a heated dog dish for backup, I think.

you cant go wrong with the heated dog dish I have 2 they really work very good

 

[jerrey]

Ys Holts Summmit. We get by with freezing water by consuming cracked ice, multiple refillings, and moist feeds.

hi how many chickens do you have do

 

[centrarchid]

Fifty-two with most being broodfowl. Ideally I would have 80 about now with the additional birds being late season hatch that would be gone by Christmas. I invest considerable effort in getting flock size down when going into winter as that is the time I have the greatest expense keeping birds in food and water. The majority of the birds are penned singly during winter making heated water systems impractical. Three groups used for table-egg production I am looking into providing water heaters for. Birds not in egg production or growing rapidly have lesser needs for water making moistened feeds a suitable route for providing additional water. Birds feed the milled feeds only are more challenging to keep in water.

 

[pv46sd]

The heated dog bowl is the way I was going to go for this coming winter but most say DO NOT use an extension cord!! Am wondering why. Any ideas out there? I live in South Dakota & our winters can be brutal. Thanks for any info.

 

[skinnyhen]

I think they say not to use an extension cord because a chicken could peck at it and possibly get zapped. You just need to protect the cord so they can't peck at it. Especially where the dog dish cord connects to the extension cord.

 

[lazy gardener]

Let common sense prevail. You can buy a plastic or wire wrap that is designed to protect cords. Mount the female end of the extension cord in a place that can't be reached by the birds. If it is plugged into an outdoor outlet, be sure it is weather proof. And place the cord such that it's not at risk from falling trees/branches or the like. Don't let the cord lay on the ground under snow... mice are still active under that pretty white stuff. If I couldn't have power to my coop, I don't think I'd keep chickens! Carrying water 2 - 3 x /day in sub zero weather and snow/ice storms? No thank you.

 

[pv46sd]

TYVM!! A small pvc pipe over the exposed extension cord will work then. Call me happy, HAPPY!!!!