Waterers and what works best in the winter

[BigBlueHen53]

I'm sure people do all sorts of things. Regardless, it's misrepresentative.

You're missing the point. As another poster stated, "multiple votes are allowed." If people use more than one method, and consequently submit multiple votes, then naturally the total will be more than 100%.

OP, could you please add an "other" option, or include "electric heated bowls or buckets"? That's what we use in the winter, and they work quite well for us. Our winters are not usually long or severe, but we do get some below-zero days and nights and these electric bowls keep the water from freezing.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I use heated dog bowls for the chickens and heated buckets for ducks and goose.

 

[Toothpick]

I just rigged up the aquarium filter in the 5gal bucket. Will be below freezing at night for the next week or so. Should be a good test for it.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I just rigged up the aquarium filter in the 5gal bucket. Will be below freezing at night for the next week or so. Should be a good test for it.

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I use heated dog bowls for the chickens and heated buckets for ducks and goose.

That's what we use for the chickens, always work well for us here.

 

[Suzz]

Heated dog dish long extension cord

 

[Toothpick]

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

Below freezing the last 2 nights. It went well! The water throughout the bucket feels warm in the morning. Granted - below freezing has only been 28-30. But we do have some single digit days coming up. That will be the real test.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Below freezing the last 2 nights. It went well! The water throughout the bucket feels warm in the morning. Granted - below freezing has only been 28-30. But we do have some single digit days coming up. That will be the real test.

Thanks, and good luck!

 

[RichardColebeck]

Hey Everyone, this is a question I have been wanting to ask since I got chickens. What is the best way to get nice clean water to my flock every day without having to clean the water because the chickens kick dirt and dust into it?

The Plan
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The plan was to buy some 10-15 gallon rubber tubs and rinse and fill them every day. Will they be a nice investment, or should I invest in the nipple waterers? I heard they were also very nice for clean water but I don't know what would be the better investment. My other option was to ask my parents for a chicken waterer for Christmas, I don't have any other options.


-Thanks to everyone who has answered and helped me throughout this year. I want to thank Sumi for having many great posts and articles, fly high.




-Jaeden

Hello,
We are a long time BYC family. Now homesteading and have multiple coops and way more than just a couple of hens. We've tried it all, and most waterers are great in non-freezing temperatures. However, in winter, we've used double walled steel sitting on heaters or the plastic heated ones, you name, we've used it. Come the big freeze, the most reliable method is rubber tubs that withstand the cold temperatures and can easily be turned upside down to shake out the frozen water. Simply re-fill with fresh water, once, twice, or three times a day depending on how cold it is where you are. Don't sweat it if the bucket isn't as clean as you'd like. The chickens don't care if the water is a little dirty.
Rubber tubs are durable and low enough for chickens to drink out of.
Cheers,
Richard...

 

[slowloris]

The one thing I didn't like about having chickens was having to go at least once a day to get rid of ice and give them water every day in winter. I had been using the open heated pet bowls to solve that, and it worked, but did get dirty and still needed frequent filling. Got this one this year. It holds five gallons and we fill it once a week for 14 chickens. Stays cleaner, lasts longer. They seem to like it.