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I live in northern Sweden and we have some very harsh winters here.
i have 17 chicken which are thirsty even if it's -30°C cold.
Obviously i have to heat up the drinking water to prevent it from freezing.
there are different ways to do that, heating plates or in my case a heating cable.
To prevent heat-loss i decided to build an insulated drinking place, to make sure the heat stays where i want it :)
- also as an energysaver of course!
My design works really well, is inexpensive and easy-build.
It prevents the water from freezing until -10°C without any heating source but all temperatures below that you'll have to start the heater.
I hope that some chicken owners will use this!
i have 17 chicken which are thirsty even if it's -30°C cold.
Obviously i have to heat up the drinking water to prevent it from freezing.
there are different ways to do that, heating plates or in my case a heating cable.
To prevent heat-loss i decided to build an insulated drinking place, to make sure the heat stays where i want it :)
- also as an energysaver of course!
My design works really well, is inexpensive and easy-build.
It prevents the water from freezing until -10°C without any heating source but all temperatures below that you'll have to start the heater.
I hope that some chicken owners will use this!
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Signing UpStep 1Gathering materials
materials you'll need:
- a chicken drinker ( in my case 4 liters) - the simple and cheap ones are the best.
- a big bucket ( the drinker has to fit in it with about 5cm/2 inches) space to all sides.
if you can find a bucket with straight sides take that one!
i used a 20liter bucket with a lid
- 1 cartridge of building foam
- aluminumfoil
- strong duct tape
tools you'll need:
-battery drill
-sharp knife
-hole saw ca 7-8cm / 3 inches diameter
-water filled spraybottle
-a file or sanding paper
eventually a heating source
i used a special heating cable that can be situated in water (pictured)
a heating plate fitting underneath the drinker will also work.
add your heating source as the description of the manufacturer allows it.
- a chicken drinker ( in my case 4 liters) - the simple and cheap ones are the best.
- a big bucket ( the drinker has to fit in it with about 5cm/2 inches) space to all sides.
if you can find a bucket with straight sides take that one!
i used a 20liter bucket with a lid
- 1 cartridge of building foam
- aluminumfoil
- strong duct tape
tools you'll need:
-battery drill
-sharp knife
-hole saw ca 7-8cm / 3 inches diameter
-water filled spraybottle
-a file or sanding paper
eventually a heating source
i used a special heating cable that can be situated in water (pictured)
a heating plate fitting underneath the drinker will also work.
add your heating source as the description of the manufacturer allows it.
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this year or next i will be building a fully enclosed coop. there are too many 4-legged chicken theives. and i do not want to hunt for eggs.
nice info about NOT using cedar or treated wood and to protect the insulation.
sofar i have found this info.
backyardchickens.com
Book - Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens Care Feeding Facilities
And boy are those birds spoiled. Warm food and and insulated windows.
i have mostly brahma-chicken,
the Big rooster is a mix between brahma and "skånsk blomme" (swedish breed)
the small one is another swedish breed - hedemora
also i call 2 golden brakel my own
god i love my chicken :D - never thought that it would be that way.
But if i have to change the heater in the future i will try to get my hands on one of these heating plates.
For those without chickens yet, or who have them but haven't experienced it, please do make note of the steps concerning sealing off all insulation materials from the birds. He is definitely correct – for some reason, they LOVE to eat it and will whenever the can. I made some window panels for additional insulation out of 2" rigid foam and even with the plasticy coating, they pecked through it and ate quite a lot before I discovered what they were doing. Since then, I've wrapped these panels in thick black garbage bags with the edges wrapped in duct tape (to prevent tearing when they are put in or out.
Anyway, great idea! I may build one of these soon, and will pass along the link to the Chicago Chicken Enthusiasts group.
I don't know why they love insulation material that much - i guess that's a chicken thing.
They eat or - at least try to eat - everything, one of my chicks from last year thought my eyeball looked quite yummy - luckily it´s beak wasn't strong enough to cause much damage (the luck is with the stupid) - now i always wear glasses if i want to cuddle :D
trust me it's way easier if you don't have to change water all few hours.
If you have the choice, try an heating plate instead of a cable - i think it's easier to change / fill the drinker.
greetings to Canada :)
And that extreme temperatures are just a few days in winter.
normally its between -15 and -25°C
The wild birds (for example capercaillie) have to get through the winter without a nice coop and a warm meal every morning (yes warm ;D) .
my 17 chicken have a 20m² coop - in winter they don´t want to go outside, seems they don't trust in snow :)