Winter is coming...

[ChickenCanoe]

The cup system doesn't circulate. Circulation is the only way a closed system, even with an aquarium heater will work. Once you get away from the heated water, everything else will freeze. I've had the cups, fittings and the seals explode in winter.
Horizontal nipples in a heated bucket work down to about 10F or less because the seal is inside the heated space. Vertical nipples don't work in sub freezing temps.

It is bigger than it looks but 16 sq. ft. is sufficient for 4 chickens.

 

[Trux]

I use a heated dog bowl.

Agreed, for only 8 birds this would be fine

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

The cup system doesn't circulate. Circulation is the only way a closed system, even with an aquarium heater will work. Once you get away from the heated water, everything else will freeze. I've had the cups, fittings and the seals explode in winter.

It is bigger than it looks but 16 sq. ft. is sufficient for 4 chickens.

Good to know. I have found it quite sufficient for our 8 although we do plan on expansion. We will consider other ideas regarding the water now that we know that doesnt work

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Agreed, for only 8 birds this would be fine

What is to stop them from walking in it though? A quaint idea and rather feasible but changing the water daily is inefficient

 

[Trux]

What is to stop them from walking in it though? A quaint idea and rather feasible but changing the water daily is inefficient

Well there are heated bases you can buy for the traditional waterers or you can do something like this https://www.ruralking.com/farm-inno...WF0UUWd-3dANGn_8jeax2YGT7C0HdEnIaAk_KEALw_wcB

 

[SueT]

What is to stop them from walking in it though? A quaint idea and rather feasible but changing the water daily is inefficient

They don't walk in it! I give them fermented feed in dog bowls as well and they do not walk in that either. I have 10 chickens. None of them walk in the bowls.
BTW, we are at 37 1/2 N latitude, and the dog bowl water stays unfrozen here , this may not be true further north... I change the water every 3 or 4 days.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

They don't walk in it! I give them fermented feed in dog bowls as well and they do not walk in that either. I have 10 chickens. None of them walk in the bowls.
BTW, we are at 37 1/2 N latitude, and the dog bowl water stays unfrozen here , this may not be true further north... I change the water every 3 or 4 days.
View attachment 1529821

I wish my birds were like this. Just the other day they knocked over all the oyster shell taking a stroll through it

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Well there are heated bases you can buy for the traditional waterers or you can do something like this https://www.ruralking.com/farm-inno...WF0UUWd-3dANGn_8jeax2YGT7C0HdEnIaAk_KEALw_wcB

This is an excellent idea. We were looking into something with possibly little financial investment we can make ourselves however

 

[Trux]

Well there are heated bases you can buy for the traditional waterers or you can do something like this https://www.ruralking.com/farm-inno...WF0UUWd-3dANGn_8jeax2YGT7C0HdEnIaAk_KEALw_wcB

This is an excellent idea. We were looking into something with possibly little financial investment we can make ourselves however

Then there is this https://www.motherearthnews.com/hom...-chickens/heated-chicken-waterer-zm0z13fmzhun
But by the time you spend the money on materials you can buy the one from Rural King for about the same price
If you have a conventional waterer just buy a heater base for it there about 15 - 20 bucks

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Then there is this https://www.motherearthnews.com/hom...-chickens/heated-chicken-waterer-zm0z13fmzhun

Love that. Ive heard the water nipples not all birds will use though. If anyone has made this themselves i would love to hear feed back. Do you think it will work with the cups instead?