Jump to content
Chickens Dogs Cats Rabbits Guinea Pigs Hamsters and Gerbils Birds
jill the potter

How to stop the water freezing?

By jill the potter, in Chickens, Eggs and Hatching

Recommended Posts

Egluntyne Eggsistentialist

Egluntyne

Posted
Posted

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. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cordelia Frequent Layer

cordelia

Posted
Posted

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......

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jill the potter All Knowing Superchicken

jill the potter

Posted
  • Author
Posted

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 :lol: You're right Eglutine it certainly does wake you up!!! :lol:

 

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!!! :lol:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
TAJ Chicken Addict

TAJ

Posted
Posted

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Vicky40 Chicken Eggspert

Vicky40

Posted
Posted

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. :dance:

 

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. :wink:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
chickenanne Chatty Chicken

chickenanne

Posted
Posted

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...