Winter and Summer Watering system w/ waterer nipples and heater.

[Bear Foot Farm]

It would be a good idea to wrap the pipe in foam insulation to prevent heat loss and wrap that in black electrical tape to protect against chickens.

I imagine it's tough to find that for 6" pipe, since very few use it for anythiing other than drain lines

 

[Spud Chicken]

It would take three or four to go around it. Any type of insulation would work and you'd save some $$$ on the electric bill. Where I live it's not uncommon to see -30 to -40 degrees. Any heater would benifit from an insulted pipe in cold climates.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: It may be easier to find it there, since it's NEVER been that cold here
Our all time record is -5

 

[newpioneer75]

as long as the water inside the pipe is still liquid, the ice on the nipples will break free very easily with a peck from the chickens. I am using a submersible pump for a wet tile saw to keep the heated water moving .

 

[twehe]

You would be so surprised how well they deal with it plus they don't drink their own poop! That is the major thing to think about! The chickens will get all they need

 

[jimmywalt]

I built this one yesterday for my 5 hens. Still waiting for the silicone to dry before I install it.

I'm going to have it sit on a flipped over milk crate with a cement block on top for a little added height. Inside will be a small fountain pump from Harbor Freight to keep the water moving and a submersible aquarium heater to keep the water warm. Both will be plugged into a Thermocube that turns on at 35 degrees and off at 45 degrees (cube temp, not water temp)

The pvc coming off the bucket is short enough (about 5 inches) so the heated/moving water should keep it from freezing.

 

[newpioneer75]

Tis the season to be working on the winter watering systems. I also built one of a similar design, I am putting in a submersible pump with a 1/4'' tube inside the PVC to have the water flow all the way down to prevent freezing. Haven't gotten the heater yet, but, thinking about a birdbath heater. This is going inside the coop and planning on adding a tube to the outside next spring , that won't be heated.

 

[jimmywalt]

Tis the season to be working on the winter watering systems. I also built one of a similar design, I am putting in a submersible pump with a 1/4'' tube inside the PVC to have the water flow all the way down to prevent freezing. Haven't gotten the heater yet, but, thinking about a birdbath heater. This is going inside the coop and planning on adding a tube to the outside next spring , that won't be heated.

Nice. I don't think you will need to add rocks in the bottom. I've read on many threads that the heater won't hurt the bucket. Mine has a suction cup in the middle and rubber ends that lift it off the bottom of the bucket....so no need to worry about heat

Love the idea on adding the flex tube for the summer. Please post pictures (or links from online) on the parts needed for this addition. I might do it too.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

well, when you guys get all the kinks worked out you can build me a test one, what ever its called. haha

 

[newpioneer75]

I like the aquarium heater idea. i didn't know there was a submersible one. How much did that cost? I'm cheap and trying to find an inexpensive birdbath heater, but, they're 30 bucks or so. So far my little set up cost around 25 dollars. The pump is the most expensive @ 17 bucks.