I'll do the same with mi chickens. Great idea. I would add some isolation material in the part which is in contact with the ground and around the tin. Something simple, bubble wrap, card board or some styrofoam to keep the heat from scaping.
We noticed this year that it didn't work well on the really really cold days so just keep that in mind! I also wouldn't put this inside the coop either to prevent any potential fire hazard.
Maybe if you elevated the light bulb off the bottom and put a water Shield over top of the light bulb add drill some holes in the top so the heat would be directly against the bottom of your water container.... that may work. Then you can experiment with different size light bulbs depending on how cold it gets.
I'd be surprised if this would work if you got a sustained 2-5 day period of time under 20F. Personally, I'm going to use one of the 55 gallon drums I have, stick a $35 heater in it and have it run on a thermostat, so it's not running all the time. I also LOVE the idea of using a large 55 gallon barrel, because that means huge amounts of storage. I'm also going to connect a gutter from my coop to it, so I'll never have to fill it! The only question is can I go through an entire winter with the water in there before the winter starts. I'm then going to build an insulated box for the barrel.
Yeah we've learned there is certainly a limit for how much cold it can take! Where we are it rarely gets that cold for sustained periods though so it works. Sounds like you have a great setup, we also have a 55gal rain barrel fed from the gutter off our coop roof.
@@MasonDixonAcres I finally got around to actually doing the setup I mentioned above. * I had one clear 55 gallon bucket that I painted black (to reduce algae growth) * drilled two holes and connected bulk head fittings to them, then garden hoses to the bulk head fittings * connected washing machine hoses to the garden hose fittings (apparently, they're the same thread) * connected a small pump that I have connected to a thermostat controlled outlet. Turns on at 37F and turns off at 41F. * I did indeed put that $35 heater in the 55 gallon barrel So far, it's working great. We've had three straight 22F nights and it hasn't come close to freezing. During the spring, I'll connect it to my gutter so I never have to fill it. About the only thing I'll have to do is throw maybe 8 ounces of Clorox in the barrel twice a year to further guard against algae and legionnaires. It's super clean, I never have to worry about the girls pooping in their water, I love it!
You failed. In horrifically cold situations, the only thing that works is bringing them water from the inside. This works in states, where those temps only last a few days.
I'll do the same with mi chickens. Great idea. I would add some isolation material in the part which is in contact with the ground and around the tin. Something simple, bubble wrap, card board or some styrofoam to keep the heat from scaping.
Oh great idea. I did not want to spend money on the amazon heater. Thanks for the idea!!! Keeping our feathered friends drinking, from PA!
Hope it works out for you!
Appreciate it! Since we did the video we added a thermo cube plug that only powers the light bulb when it’s below 35.
Absolutely love this idea . I’m in montana and battle water for critters all winter . This will solve next winter chickens 🐓
We noticed this year that it didn't work well on the really really cold days so just keep that in mind! I also wouldn't put this inside the coop either to prevent any potential fire hazard.
Maybe if you elevated the light bulb off the bottom and put a water Shield over top of the light bulb add drill some holes in the top so the heat would be directly against the bottom of your water container.... that may work. Then you can experiment with different size light bulbs depending on how cold it gets.
i'm inclined to try this, thanks for your idea.
It works until it gets super cold, but worth a shot for 25-32 nights!
What a great idea!!
Awesome hack. I’m going to see how I can adjust this for my chickens and ducks. I don’t have an outlet close to our coop.
It wouldn't be too hard to rig up a solar setup, althought more costly.
Great , easy , cheap concept that works, Well done pal..
Yep can’t beat it! We have since hooked it up to a “thermocube” which only gives it power when the temp is below 35F
Love those T.Rex footprints!
Well done!! Now you need a temperature switch to turn it on and off.
Yep, we got a "thermocube". Works great!
Well done ❤
I'd be surprised if this would work if you got a sustained 2-5 day period of time under 20F.
Personally, I'm going to use one of the 55 gallon drums I have, stick a $35 heater in it and have it run on a thermostat, so it's not running all the time. I also LOVE the idea of using a large 55 gallon barrel, because that means huge amounts of storage. I'm also going to connect a gutter from my coop to it, so I'll never have to fill it! The only question is can I go through an entire winter with the water in there before the winter starts.
I'm then going to build an insulated box for the barrel.
Yeah we've learned there is certainly a limit for how much cold it can take! Where we are it rarely gets that cold for sustained periods though so it works. Sounds like you have a great setup, we also have a 55gal rain barrel fed from the gutter off our coop roof.
@@MasonDixonAcres
I finally got around to actually doing the setup I mentioned above.
* I had one clear 55 gallon bucket that I painted black (to reduce algae growth)
* drilled two holes and connected bulk head fittings to them, then garden hoses to the bulk head fittings
* connected washing machine hoses to the garden hose fittings (apparently, they're the same thread)
* connected a small pump that I have connected to a thermostat controlled outlet. Turns on at 37F and turns off at 41F.
* I did indeed put that $35 heater in the 55 gallon barrel
So far, it's working great. We've had three straight 22F nights and it hasn't come close to freezing. During the spring, I'll connect it to my gutter so I never have to fill it. About the only thing I'll have to do is throw maybe 8 ounces of Clorox in the barrel twice a year to further guard against algae and legionnaires.
It's super clean, I never have to worry about the girls pooping in their water, I love it!
We tried doing that years ago. Doesn't work. Our temps go down way below freezing. It might work if your temps never go much below freezing.
You're right, it is best for light freezes above 25 or so.
Great idea!
I did the same and last couple days -11oF ….Fail😂
Haha it does have a limit.. ours is also frozen solid this week 😂
Probably need to insulate it around the outside where not in contact with the waterer and keep it out of the wind.
You failed. In horrifically cold situations, the only thing that works is bringing them water from the inside. This works in states, where those temps only last a few days.
That cord is not water proof dangerous