My December newsletter is out, covering how to keep your chickens’ water from freezing and other wintry topics. Check it out!
See also an Older blog posting on the same subject.
I Publish Books! Norton Creek Press
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Keeping Your Chickens’ Water From Freezing and More
Why not simply use a snow dam de-icer? I plan on trying one coiled under one of my metal waterers this winter. Flat (>1″ wide), water proof outdoor heater tape used in frigid areas to melt ‘Ice Dams’ on roof eaves to protect the shingles and underlayment from freeze/thaw damage. Suppliers have all the connectors and additonal fancy hardware if you like, but it’s not essential. Even have heated hoses if your a rich ‘Gentleman Farmer”. My style, but not my budget!
Thermostatically controlled (built in), on at 38 degrees, off at 48 degrees. 5-8 watts per foot, seems like 6-12 foot would do the trick. 6 footer is under $40. No open pans in the field-I could use my metal waterers year round and have clean, warm water!
Seems like it would beat the dickens out of birdbath heaters in open pans -what a pain!
Ever tried one?
I want to take a moment to thank you for all the great advise you put out.
While my wife has not yet been willing to show me the P & L (I think she’s just goofing off), I think we are profitable our first year with a flock of 56 layers.
The open sided coops work great. Covered half the open end with heavy plastic to cut the wind and our line of Gold Comets is unbelieveable; on Dec 21st (winter solstice) with overnight lows in the 20’s and daytime highs in the high 30’s to low 40’s our production was still at 89% of maximum capacity! Amazing.
My competitors (with ‘Heritage’ breeds) are out of business right now. Sometimes the old way is best, sometimes not so much.
We buy started pullets at 18 weeks and they are laying on the ride home. Have all their shots, de-beaked and we band and trim one wing when they arrive. I can’t buy chicks, feed them and fuss with them for 4 months for the price my guy charges.
We feed nothing but Purina Mills Layena and some extra oyster shell mixed in occasionally. They are free range so we don’t bother with grit. Lock’m up every night and let them out in the morning…we have every predator in America but Mt lions and ferral tigers.
Going to expand the flock in the late winter or early spring as our regular customer list continues to grow and word of mouth spreads. Going to add 100 hens (in two installments) and not a flower box or geranium is sight! (Chickens WILL eat them!)
Thank you Robert, for all you do.
One trick that works is wrapping and taping an electric heating pad around a metal water dish.