WINTERS COMING!!! What should i do?

[Keziah]

I just got back from collecting my hen's eggs, and I saw the water...IT WAS FROZEN!!! I can not break the ice because we have a plastic waterer so it will break if the ice breaks. what do I do? What if they did not have water all morning and they have just been very thirsty, PLEASE HELP
How long can chickens go without water?!?!?!? I am such a bad chicken moma...

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Well bring them something to drink now.... Then figure out a plan going forward. do you have electricity at the coop?

Gary

 

[Keziah]

we do not currently have electricity, but we are planning on it. I did give them separate water

 

[junebuggena]

A rubber dish or bowl with a few golf balls in a sunny spot can work well, unless you are dealing with arctic conditions. The rubber makes it easier to dump if it does turn into a block of ice. The sunshine can warm things up just enough to keep from freezing. The golf balls help keep it circulating. You can bring the water inside at night to keep it from freezing overnight, since chickens don't drink once they go to roost.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

When my water froze overnight, I simply warmed the water up, and melted the ice. Then I filled it back up with warmer than normal water, and they were fine the rest of the day.

 

[Keziah]

okay, I will think about the golf ball idea, and will definitely start putting the waterer inside.

 

[Keziah]

I tried to put HOT water in the waterer, but nothing happened.

 

[DwayneNLiz]

I tried to put HOT water in the waterer, but nothing happened.

what do you mean?

 

[Dayrel]

Not sure they would drink hot water. I'd stick with room temperature if possible.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Try bringing the water founts indoors at night. Then you don't have to fight the ice in the morning.