The linked report on the research makes it clear that hot water freezing sooner than cold only under certain circumstances. Evaporation, differing amounts of dissolved gasses, convection, different surroundings. And all that may still mean it comes down to freezing at 31.9°F or 32.1°F. Under the usual circumstances a bowl of water may find itself in
, hot water will take longer to freeze than cold. Unusual circumstances are just that, unusual.
Quote:
This is generally what I do and since the weather will finally
warm today to 25° and should reach 32° by Tuesday for the first time since December 1st, this is my common behavior for having fresh water for the chickens.
My coop is fully insulated. However, when the temperature is in the single digitS' each and every night, there's no way that their water will stay above freezing, especially if the pop door is open thru the day.
There is a light in the coop and while it provides virtually no heat it does allow me to have a little different schedule than Vstoltz. I don't have to be around at lunch time but can still provide fresh water 3 times thru the day.
The birds have their feed, free-choice at any time. When they first come off the roost, they have fresh water. At sun down, they move back into the coop and "chow down" - they are also given fresh water. About 4 hours later, in their lighted coop, the water is replaced again with fresh water. So, when they climb onto the roost they are not thirsty.
Both times that they are most interested in eating, coming off the roost in the morning and going into the coop at the end of the day, they have water to drink. And, before they go to sleep at night, they can drink all they want.
Steve