jill the potter Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 It's been soooooo cold here today, it's never really thawed out!!! and I have had to 'de-ice' the girls' glug twice today. Don't really know how to stop this happening really. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 A ping pong ball or tennis ball in the water is supposed to help stop it freezing. The hens pecking at them moves them around and breaks up the newly formed ice. Not sure if it would work overnight though. I just trudge across the grass with a jug full of very hot water and pour it in. It certainly wakes you up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAZAROO Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 And in this weather if you hold it up near your face; you get a steam bath at the same time- and of course foggy glasses.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Since I have had my new run cover ( a clear tarpaulin) the girls glugs have not frozen. Even this morning which is soooo cold. I'm not sure how it makes such a difference though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cordelia Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 it is a worry...I too defrosted their water in the morning around 7.30am......around 11 am it was frozen solid again... I put in a small ceramic plant pot with warm water from the kettle.... it never froze again all day, evan though the ground was frozen all day.... last night i emptied out all the water to refill more easily this morning...and luckily today I'm at home to check again... I have no problem refilling every morning....but I'm a bit worried it freezes over... the first frozen morning my husband saw to the chickens frist thing...I asked if he had defrosted their water...and he said he had....when i went he had made 3 holes in the frozen glug...using the pen metal pin (bending it in the process), the birds couldnt possibly have had a drink... OO just saw the new post...I do fancy a new clear cover...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jill the potter Posted December 1, 2008 Author Share Posted December 1, 2008 This morning at 7.30 the glug was almost solid!!! so gave the girls some really runny porridge whilst I took the glug inside to 'defrost' it. There was very little 'runny' water left! Feel sorry for them that the ground has frozen so hard that they can't do their normal scratching around - so made them a nice pile of leaves You're right Eglutine it certainly does wake you up!!! Thankfully I'm working at home so I can keep an eye on their water. I have to say a typical OH trick with the metal pin thing - mine would probably do the same!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 I have some gel handwarmers, the ones which last for several hours. I was thinking I might pop one in each glug in the morning. If it works, good, if it doesn't at least I've tried Allisonx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 I fill up with warm water in the morning, so it takes longer to get back down to freezing - it was -3 here last night, but up to 3 by day so mine hasn't re-frozen. I leave for work by 7.30, so I had guinea pig, plus two lots of chickens to do. The the youngsters they still have a 1ltr continer in the Eglu which doesn't freze as it is in doors. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vicky40 Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Ive been having the same problem as the water in the glug has been frozen solid each morning this week. Last night I used a plastic "dumpy" sack to cover over the corner of the run where the glug is (just secured with a bungy strap). This morning the water was fine and hadn't frozen. Ive left the sack in place all day today and so far it seems to have done the trick. Doesnt look that nice but who cares if it keeps the glug from freezing over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 A little bit of glycerine works.. .. depending on how cold it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleTree Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 we've had two really cold frosty mornings, the frost didn't melt all day yesterday, but my glug hasn't frozen at all. The run is covered in a shower curtain and the Omlet shade that comes with it. Maybe this helps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 I'm sure the covers do help as frost tends to fall on things. Also raising the drinker up, as cold air sinks/warm air rises. And a larger amount of water is more stable temperature than a small one, so use as big a drinker as is practical. But really, of it's properly cold, there isn't a lot you can do.... If all else fails, get a galvanised drinker and heat source: even a lightbulb below it will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve. Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 A little bit of glycerine works.. .. depending on how cold it is. Mine had a crust of frost on - which was a worry. May I ask, how much glycerine do you need, is it expensive ... and where do you get it from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
