Winter water...

[WIchickMama]

Wattles get wet do not increase frost bite?

Haven't had any problems with my flock

 

[Mamagirl3]

Haven't had any problems with my flock

Thank you!

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Wattles get wet do not increase frost bite?

Depends on how big the wattles and how cold. My cockerel has med-large droopy wattles. When he drinks from the dogs water dishes he ends up dunking wattles. Presently it is below freezine here; I removed the bowls and the flock is using horizontal nipple bucket with stock tank deicer.

 

[Mamagirl3]

Depends on how big the wattles and how cold. My cockerel has med-large droopy wattles. When he drinks from the dogs water dishes he ends up dunking wattles. Presently it is below freezine here; I removed the bowls and the flock is using horizontal nipple bucket with stock tank deicer.

Thank you. Guess doggie bowls wouldnt work for me.... would have been a quick easy fix!

 

[EagleEyes]

For 4 winters in the past I've used a cookie tin with a 40/60 watt bulb in the corner of my coop, sitting on a cement block and now that I've moved and built a new set up, I'm doing the same. And it's plugged into a cube
As soon as possible in the spring when it's not below freezing the water will be back in the run.

 

[Magda12]

So we actually found a large red plastic "plate" at tractor supply that we just set the water bucket on top of. I was worried about plastic on heat, but it doesn't get warm enough to worry about. I also removed the drinking cups from the bucket and replaced them with horizontal nipples. It's very large though, so I needed to use both of the cinder blocks I had and find something else to put my coop ramp and the food bucket on. I was a little miffed about that but so far it's working well... We ended up making an emergency trip to find it after a couple of 20 degree nights when the water froze solid.

 

[Quadzilla32]

Have any of you used the metal heating plates to keep 5 gallon buckets unfrozen? I want to take a 5 gallon lowes bucket and put some nipple on it but need a way to keep it from freezing and came across heating plates that you just set the bucket on. My only concern is the plastic melting in some way or the heat releasing chemicals into the water and hurting the chickens. Most of the pictures I see of them there are metal waterers being used.

The waterer will be DIY bucket with nipples.

 

[Quadzilla32]

I use the black rubber feed bowls plus I have one of these.
H&G lifestyles Poultry Drinker... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SWKH2BJ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I stand a 5 gallon plastic bucket with horizontal nipples on top of it.

Have you had any issue with chemicals from the heated plastic or any melting? i would think the plate wouldn't be hot enough to melt anything more just keep things warm.

 

[wamtazlady]

Have any of you used the metal heating plates to keep 5 gallon buckets unfrozen? I want to take a 5 gallon lowes bucket and put some nipple on it but need a way to keep it from freezing and came across heating plates that you just set the bucket on. My only concern is the plastic melting in some way or the heat releasing chemicals into the water and hurting the chickens. Most of the pictures I see of them there are metal waterers being used.

The waterer will be DIY bucket with nipples.

They make stock tank deicers that are made for use in plastic buckets or containers. They have a built in thermostat. They turn the deicer on at about 35 degrees and off again when the water reaches 40 or 45 degrees. The deicer costs more than many want to pay at about $50 but they last for years. I use a larger container than your 5 gallon bucket (20 gallon plastic tote with lid) and the deicer has kept my water thawed even when the temperature got down to -26F.

 

[Quadzilla32]

They make stock tank deicers that are made for use in plastic buckets or containers. They have a built in thermostat. They turn the deicer on at about 35 degrees and off again when the water reaches 40 or 45 degrees. The deicer costs more than many want to pay at about $50 but they last for years. I use a larger container than your 5 gallon bucket (20 gallon plastic tote with lid) and the deicer has kept my water thawed even when the temperature got down to -26F.

Thanks for the idea is it something like this? https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/farm-innovators-1500w-sinking-tank-deicer