whos breaking ice out of the water dishes already

[chicmom]

We've had just a tiny bit of surface ice on the waterers, one is a rubber type bucket, and the other is a black plastic dish pan.

 

[Mrs MIA]

I've been piling the ice since Halloween...

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
What a difference a few days makes! I posted the above post just 4 days ago. Today I got to bring in a 5-gal. bucket TWICE to fill with hot water so I could thaw out waterers.

I've got an interesting thing that maybe someone can help me with? All of the waterers that were inside buildings (not many, but there are some) were frozen pretty good, at least 1/2" thick all the way around. But the waterers that were out in the open just barely had ice on them if they had it at all? This makes no sense to me whatsoever, any ideas?

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Had just a bit in the waterers this morning when I went out at dawn.

Sure hope we don't repeat what happened last January when my waterers froze every night for fourteen nights straight! If I wanted that I'd move north!

 

[mommyofthreewithchicks]

I have 10 1 gal rubber black buckets in a row and then a few bigger buckets outside so the ducks can take a bath. And we have had ice in them for a few months. Sucks but I am really dreading the day in which my hot water in the morning will freeze in the morning and I will have to lug out MORE water.


I am seriously thinking of ways to heat around the row of buckets but so far have not figured out a good system.

 

[vtgirls]

I have decided to just bring the waterers in at night and back out in the morning. I do have a heated dog dish but have no easy access to power and would have to choose between the chickens and turkeys with one heated dish - so I would still need to carry water anyway.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
Hot water freezes faster than cold water, try using 'warm enough' water to thaw and fill waterers with, it might last a little longer

ETA: FILL empty waterers with cold water, use 'warm enough' water to thaw frozen waterers. It might help

 

[Naughty]

i just take a bucket of hot water out with me - and pour a little on the ice to dump it out - then fill the bowls... but I do have access to a heated dog bowl when it gets colder. trying to wait as long as possible so I don't put more humidity in the coop with the heated water. So far when I go in to the coop in the morning, everyone is happy... and i haven't had to put the light on yet.

 

[sourland]

Doing it here in New Jersey. The hose didn't thaw until 1 PM.The next step is buckets of water carted out twice a day.

 

[nancypo]

HAve you guys read the "cookie tin water heater" for smaller water needs? Works great!