Winter water?

[Reurra]

The nipple may still freeze if you do not put a return line back to the the supply. This could also depend on how long the pvc pipe is. You could also add a heat tape to the pipe. I just use a 30' heat tape wrapped around my 55 gallon drum and along the supply line to the pvc pipe that my nipples are mounted on.. It has worked well so far... Only problem is the birds like to eat the foam pipe wrap.

What is heat tape?

 

[Bellacoby]

Makes sense. Thanks!

 

[KilnChick]

And... If no one knows or has done the light/lamp fixture method, it also can be used to make a great bucket light!! Buy a 5gal bucket w/lid, drill hole in lid for fixture, I always put a little caulk around it so it doesn't get water in bucket(from rain or moisture). It makes a wonderful light for camping or driveway, front or back porch, pool deck ect... And it's fun to put different colored bulbs in it too

 

[Reurra]

I just priced heated waterers. $99.99 for a large and $59.99 for a 4 gallon. OUCH!!

Canada sure knows how to hit you in the wallet!

I was thinking of a dog dish, this would be for goats anyhow. Those cost $25 in the states but $60 for the same dish here!!

 

[Mehjr10]

What is heat tape?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1630083502&pf_rd_i=507846

 

[Our Roost]

Dear Tennesee, I have a rain barrel and water nippler system also. It runs inside and outside the coop. I also used heat tape and heated electrical water pipe wiring around the pipes to prevent freezing. Brilliant idea to use a thermostatically controlled water pipe wire wrapped with heat tape around the PVC piping. Unfortunately my first winter using it, the 55 gallon rain barrel froze solid outside and the water flow came to a halt. I reverted to a heated dog dish bowl inside the coop. Back to the drawing board! Your alloted space is a lot smaller than mine. I have 25 plus chickens and am expecting more in the spring.
Sounds like you need to run a couple more water nipplers inside the coop? Keep it simple and good luck!

 

[Mehjr10]

Dear Tennesee, I have a rain barrel and water nippler system also. It runs inside and outside the coop. I also used heat tape and heated electrical water pipe wiring around the pipes to prevent freezing. Brilliant idea to use a thermostatically controlled water pipe wire wrapped with heat tape around the PVC piping. Unfortunately my first winter using it, the 55 gallon rain barrel froze solid outside and the water flow came to a halt. I reverted to a heated dog dish bowl inside the coop. Back to the drawing board! Your alloted space is a lot smaller than mine. I have 25 plus chickens and am expecting more in the spring.
Sounds like you need to run a couple more water nipplers inside the coop? Keep it simple and good luck!

You may want to try adding a stock tank heater to your rain barrel and wrap with insulation.. http://www.amazon.com/Farm-Innovato...=1381940644&sr=8-5&keywords=water+tank+heater.

My system works well for me by just wrapping with the heat tape around the barrel. Granted we only get a couple of weeks a year were we are below freezing.. Watering outside for 60+ chickens, 9 guineas, 4 peacocks and 2 ducks..

 

[Our Roost]

Mehjr10, thanks for the tip on a tank heater and wrap. I actually have a submersible horse trough heater if I want to use it. My problem is the gutters that feed the rain barrel freeze up and I end up with mostly trickle down melted snow drippings. The water in the barrel can become stagnant even though I add cider vinegar. Thanks but the heated dog dish is ample and works well for our situation this year. I have thoughts for a smaller barrel inside the coop and adding water from the tap to fill it as needed. More creative thinking and less maintenance!

 

[CGinJCMO]

Quote:
I tried to use the electrical heat wrap last year and it didn't work. Even if the hoses were thawed, the water in the bowl was frozen and there was no way fresh water could come out, and no way for me to get the ice out. This year I'm trying this:

CG

 

[Reurra]

I got me a heated water bucket!! Its 4 gallons with an anti-chew cord! Yeehaw!! wont need to plug it in though for a while yet, not until december!