Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Angels4]

when we all start worring about freezing water. Last year I bought a heated base to place the waterer on for $50.00US. In the move from my sisters it got misplaced somehow and I needed to get one quick for this year (to replace the lost one) plus another for the new girls but the thought of spending $100.00 was not an option. I did some research and found this BRILLANT idea.

 

Before: An unassuming cookie tin, a lamp kit, and a lightbulb.

 

After A heated base for the waterer.

 

And at a cost of $10.99 total I would call that a WINNER!!

[Space Chick]

Impressive Mark

[Egluntyne]

That tin is far too nice!

 

Similar idea to the tin full of sand with a tea light in the centre and a few holes drilled in the lid.

[emchook]

This may be a daft question ..but is that to use with a metal water container .. or a plastic one ?

[Chook n Boo Mum]

That tin is far too nice!

 

Similar idea to the tin full of sand with a tea light in the centre and a few holes drilled in the lid.

 

If emchook's is a daft question...it looks metal top me Em, I'd have thought plastic might melt with a bulb in it......I have another daft question Egluntyne !

 

Would this only work with a gravity fed water container or would a glug resting on top be ok ?

 

Sha x

[Redwing]

I think Emchook is asking what type of drinker can be used with that

 

If you were to place a plastic drinker on top it could melt

[Angels4]

This may be a daft question ..but is that to use with a metal water container .. or a plastic one ?

 

I am using it with a metal waterer but I suppose you could use plastic, I would just be afraid it would melt. I'm using a 25watt bulb and it does get very warm to the touch.

[Chook n Boo Mum]

I think Emchook is asking what type of drinker can be used with that

 

If you were to place a plastic drinker on top it could melt

 

** note to self .... it's your throat that is sore not your eyes.......read slowly and carefully dingbat **

 

Yes that makes sense too

 

Oh golly, the chooks will be getting metal drinkers for Christmas then and I can't sew them

 

Sha x

[Barkisland]

Genius! Well done

[Angels4]

I'm sorry to say that with the temp being minus 6C my design didn't work quite as well as it had been previously working. The water was frozen in the trough of the waterer. I am going to up the wattage of the bulb from 25w to 60w as well as getting a tin that is bigger in size than the one I used previously...hopefully with the adjustments it will work better

[Space Chick]

Hi Mark,

 

We have had temperatures of -6 here, and used a 60 watt bulb, and so far so good

[BarbaraJ]

Thanks alot for this idea, we just made one and put it outside so will see if it does the job . We used 25w but its only been -1 at worst so far but if it doesn't do the job we can up to a 60w though we will have to use the same Roses tin!

I am also using a plastic drinker but have a metal one on order so won't be tragic if it melts

[BarbaraJ]

it worked great the tin didnt feel that hot this morning but the water wasn't frozen

[Slim]

Being a electrician this looks like a very stupid idea! unless all the components are designed to be water proof and heat proof. There is a reason it cost $50

[Angels4]

It might look like a "stupid" idea but the materials used are water proof and it is plugged into a GFI outlet. All I have to do now is get a thermocube to plug it into and it will also be cost effective only tripping on when the temp goes below freezing.