Keeping Water For Chickens From Freezing?

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by John
(Colorado )

Question:
Keeping Water For Chickens From Freezing?: I was hoping you might have some ideas on keeping water for my chickens from freezing. I live in the mountains of Colorado, so at night it can reach -20 and during the day the single digits. I have looked into tank heaters but they require so much electricity. I would rather not go that route. Are there any other options out there?
Answer:
I'm going to be honest and say that we don't have that problem so much here in Georgia. It is rarely below freezing for a 24 hour period here so we do not have to deal with your problem.

I did do some research for some ideas.

You could use a bowl for small animals instead of a tank heater which would use less electricity. They have a 5 quart dish at kvvet.com that has a six foot protected cord for $24. This or something similar could be a viable option, depending on how big your flock is.

For less extreme days there are other possible options. I've been told that if you put the watererer in one end of a styrofoam cooler and cut a hole in the other end for the chickens to get into that it will keep the water from freezing longer.

I've also read of a tire method. You get an old tire and fill it with river rocks. Put the watering bowl in the middle and make sure that it is in full sun during the day. The black tire and rocks should soak up enough heat during the day to keep the water from freezing longer.

I don't know if this would work, because I have never heard of it or tried it, but another way to keep water from freezing is to keep it in motion (a river for example). Maybe you could use a small circulating pump (fish aquarium pump) to keep the water moving. I just don't know how well the pump will withstand extreme temperatures.

If anyone else from cold weather areas has ideas please let us know and we'll add them here.