Winterizing Nipple Waterers? UPDATE Really? No One Knows?

[tjbryner]

I to use a old cooler with 10 feet of pvc pipe with 10 of the red plastic vertical nipples in that run. the return line is vinyl tubing anbout 12 feet long. I usea 50 watt aquarium heater with no problems.

know I did have a pain in the rear with my pump, I found out you can have to much flow, if the flow is to faset the water kinda bypasses the nipples. This might explain why some are having freezing problems. I played around with the water head to get a nice slow flow and so far with temps in the teens at night I have not had and ice at all.

Hope this helps some.

TJ

 

[LuvinBlueBirds]

5th winter with the same 3 aquarium heaters. Used 6 months of the year. The other 6 months they spend in the supply box with no special handling being knocked around every time I look for something else.

No cracks, no shattering, just unfrozen water as long as the electricity is on. Had them freeze in th water when it went off. Still no damage.

Ps, they have run dry and no damage.

Can you let mw know what brand you have? That sounds great!

 

[jmagill]

This brand but a 75 watt works for me down to about -15. I would bump it to 100 watts if you are regularly at -20 or more.

http://www.amazon.com/Hydor-25W-Sub...d=1387121520&sr=8-11&keywords=aquarium+heater

Actually I am just across the Idaho border in Star Valley Wyoming. 75 Watt should work the majority of the year for you.

 

[LuvinBlueBirds]

Ok, thanks. I will check it out

 

[gailmaison]

I also am interested. I was just going to have some kind of 5 gallon bucket with a nipple on the bottom. I think if I could keep the water warm in the bucket the nipple would stay unfrozen. I am tired of pool in the water, as the chickens sit on the waterer.

we tried this...first of all of the 3 nipples we installed...two of them dripped no matter what we did. So by morning we had 2 ground to nipple stalactites. WE had a submersible water heater in the bucket and the water didn't freeze but we still had the dripping / freezing problem. I went back to a heated dog dish. Only problem with this is they will sit on the edge and poop into the water, so it needs to be changed regularly. At least when it's 10 degrees outside they spend most of their time inside or under the coop ...not sitting on the water dish which is totally exposed to the weather.

 

[gailmaison]

I'd just be happy if my birds would DRINK out of the nipples...

me too

 

[trsturself]

Has anyone that uses the aquarium heaters have one crack or break? They are much more fragile and meant to stay submerged. Also not jostled around by big fat roosters playing king of the coop. Accidentally running low on water can crack them an you might not see it. then hand in bucket.....zap...body on floor.

I love the sound of less wattage, but know the hazards of the aquarium heaters cracking and getting electrocuted. The sealed ones for the buckets don't have the same problem.
What are your thoughts?

A few years ago I had a lung fish break my aquarium heater just by hitting it against the side of the aquarium, I didn't notice and went to stick my hand in the tank. Got a BIG surprise! Worst shock I've ever had. Luckily only the tip of my finger touched and I was able to pull away even though it froze me all the way up to my shoulder.
While not everyone has a problem with them, I myself wouldn't trust a glass one. We do have a little black one now in one of our aquariums that doesn't seem to be glass but it stopped working awhile ago, possibly because the water in the tank went too low. Since my daughter is responsible for checking the chicken's water, I want to make sure it is something that won't break if the water gets too low.


To teach our chickens to use the nipples I just flicked the nipples with my fingers while they were nearby, they saw the water fall and were intrigued. Once one got it the rest followed pretty quick. It was their only source of water. If I have a bowl out too, they will choose to drink out of the bowl and ignore the nipples.

 

[gailmaison]

Anyone ever tried one of these? I have a 5 gallon bucket setup with a pvc pipe coming out and I'm considering giving this a try.

this is what I used to use in a 5 gal bucket for my dogs....about $30...

 

[LuvinBlueBirds]

Anyone ever tried one of these? I have a 5 gallon bucket setup with a pvc pipe coming out and I'm considering giving this a try.

These are the ones that I have been using. They are safe for plastic or rubber. They have been VERY reliable and easy to clean and take care of. Used one last year on a 20 gal rubber tub for the ducks/geese pen. It handled all the way to -30f and still kept the water thawed. Even the messy ducks didn't do it in. Easy, peasy..just drop it in and plug it in. Ours has 200ft of heavy duty ext cords. Most of the time when things say not to use an extension cord it is because of the amount their amps drawn. The longer the run and higher wattage need a smaller gauge (actually means larger) cord. Always get the biggest one you can that is outdoors kind and you should be jjuusstt fine.

 

[432bullet]

At least a 12 gauge cord. A 10 gage cord if you can afford it. Harbor freight has the best prices around here on extension cords.