watering turkeys in winter

[the simple life]

I bought a heated poultry waterer, it holds three gallons and its been fabulous to have this year.
Last year I just kept a couple of waterers, at night I would fill one up and leave it by the back door when I went to bed, in the morning I would bring it out and switch with the one that was in the coop overnight.
I would thaw that one out and top it off during the day and then switch it back again at night.
The bigger the waterer(although heavier) the longer it takes to freeze.

 

[Rocky Meadows]

Hi, I had the same problem so I invented my own heated waterer, I got a 4x8 sheet of osb board and cut it into 1 foot squares. Then I bought ceramic light fixtures and 40watt bulbs. And then I got a piece of 4 or 6 inch pvc pipe and cut it into 1 foot lengths. I took the light fixtures and screwed them to the boards and placed the pvc tube over the bulb and fixture put sealant around the bottom edge so as the water couldn't get around the fixture and I end up with fried chickens and place my waterers on top. I have them sitting on top but also have them hanging so if bumped they won't spill or fall over.And these are the plastic waterers from TSC. Worked like a champ. I will take a picture next time I go to feed my birds and show you if you like.

 

[chickenannie]

Are any of you handy guys available? I am so impressed by your "oh i just put one together myself in a cinch" talk, and then when I read your description of what you did, I feel like I might as well be reading Chinese.

 

[Rocky Meadows]

I am sorry I didn't explain more clearly. That is why I said I would post a picture next time I go to feed my birds. But I don't even know if I want to come back to this forum, so many haters here. I simply was trying to help with those of us that had limited funds. But if you want to spend 45.00 on a heater base feel free. God Bless

 

[bee_wrangler]

Thanks for the reply Rocky Meadows, I hope you do come back and show some pics. Not shure what you mean by haters, but there are some really nice people on here, and great advice too! Hope you stick around, God bless aswell.

 

[Rocky Meadows]

Let me explain, I have been on here reading a few post and its seems that some people are just negative. No matter what you do to try and help if it's not what they want to hear they slam you with rude comments. I have been dealin with birds a very long time yet I still look for advice. I never feel I am better than anyone else and feel I could always learn more. You have a choice to take advice or not. But if you don't feel it is sound advice, look further.

 

[ccrawf]

For Rocky Meadows, and the rest. You just have to let the "haters" roll off you and get what you can from here. DOn't lower yourself to their level. I've found a lot of great ideas on here, and really love all the wonderful ideas.
For me, I take water out int he morning and evening. I've done the replacing the waterers, need to find something electric to keep the water thawed all the times. Love the ideas, guys, Thanks.

 

[chickenwhisperer123]

Quote:
I know this is late, but

 

[pdpatch]

Yes in a pinch they can eat snow, they do in the wild. The biggest thing is to try and keep the water out of the wind so it can stay unfrozen longer. For the ones we have out side we use ice cream buckets since regular waters crack and split open when it really cold. When it's really cold out we switch water more often, use warm water not hot if you can't stick your hand in it then it's to hot. With money being tight you most likely won't run out and get heated water dishes or heater, so you just have to change it more often. like maybe 3 or 4 times a day. During the night they won't need much water. You have to be careful if you jury rig some sort of heater as fire is more likely.

Tom

 

[Ak65]

Thanks for the advice, I will stay away from using snow. I thought of the heated dog dish idea, but 7 turkeys would drink it all in no time, faster than it would take a bucket of water to freeze lol. As for the hot water, My turkeys don't seem too bright at times, they would cook themselves haha, also even hot water will cool and freeze in no time when its -30 weather. I did find a good idea on a thread here for a cookie tin heater... it said to take a large cookie tin and drill a small hole just big enough for a cord to go in, then put in a light fixture and a 20 watt bulb. Put their water ontop and it keeps it warm enough to not freeze. I don't like the idea of water and electrical wires though... if I had a car battery I would rig it up with that.

Could you send pictures of your setup with the light in the cookie tin, please. What I realized with my turkeys is that they cannot drink out of something shallow they need to almost put their whole head in the water apparently. I've been taking out water three times a day but if I could figure out something else I would. I have a battery pad heater under the chicken water I wonder if it would work in a metal pail?