watering chicken with a pond???

[Kimmer Jo]

So I have been wondering if I could make my chickens a pond to drink from? I would like to be prepared if we lose electric! I would have it be very very shallow on the edges almost like a puddle and have the center be deep 8'+ so it wouldn't all freeze over winter. My husband suggested burying and stacking 55 gallon drums and putting a grate over top so nothing would drown. Any thoughts on if this would work?

 

[Den in Penn]

A still pond will freeze all the way across the top. But your right it won't freeze down to 8 feet. There will just be no way the chickens will get through the ice. The drums will do the same thing, unless you circulate the water. Need some form of power for that. Best just to get some rubber tubs and break the ice out if you lose power.