Winterizing the Waterer

[They Call Me Pete]

Bought one from TSC last night that I set my metal waterer on. Temps here 31 this AM but warming up during the day. Not sure I'm going to put it into action yet

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

So build a wooden box to put poop and bucket in.

Or an old car tire....

Gary

 

[Monkeysmom5018]

I just realized, you have a vertical nipple waterer. They might freeze, even with the deicer, the horizontal nipples will not freeze.

MIne froze last night!

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Horizontal nipples on a plastic bucket that is wrapped with a heat tape (and insulated if necessary, but be careful because you can get it too hot) is the best (and cheapest) solution from my limited experience.

 

[aart]

MIne froze last night!

Horizontal nipples froze? With a heater inside...details and pics needed.

Horizontal nipples on a plastic bucket that is wrapped with a heat tape (and insulated if necessary, but be careful because you can get it too hot) is the best (and cheapest) solution from my limited experience.

Have you used this?

 

[CapricornFarm]

Might work in a milder climate, for a short time....but bet the birds would dig up that poop...ewww. Maybe you should test the theory for us?

Vertical nipples(the kind that go in bottom of bucket) are not likely to stay thawed even with an Aq heater, as the valve is outside the bucket.

Yes, all i need is a good poop source, lol. Will let you know.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Yes, all i need is a good poop source, lol. Will let you know.

You have chicken poop silly, and its hot before it compost.... Or buy a bag of manure from the garden center?

I am curious to see how this works for people.

Gary

 

[R2elk]

Might work in a milder climate, for a short time....but bet the birds would dig up that poop...ewww. Maybe you should test the theory for us?

Alternate method to prevent water freezing

I have used this method for 30 years. Your concern about the birds digging up the manure has never happened. The temperatures get down to -30°F in our winters. In a milder climate, this method should prevent the water from ever freezing. In my climate, when the temperatures hit -20°F there is usually a thin layer of ice that can be easily removed in the morning and the water stays open all day.

So far this year the temps have only gotten down to the mid teens and there has not been any ice at all.

 

[CapricornFarm]

You have chicken poop silly, and its hot before it compost.... Or buy a bag of manure from the garden center?

I am curious to see how this works for people.

Gary

Well i do deep litter so it is hard to sort out from the shavings. Garden center poop is composted already so no heat generated.

 

[Monkeysmom5018]

Horizontal nipples froze? With a heater inside...details and pics needed.

Have you used this?

No, i don’t have a heater. I must’ve misunderstood.