Autodoor, 12V supply and power settings

[BarbaraJ]

try the biscuit/sweet tin with a lightbulb in , it has worked a treat for us thanks Mark for that tip with a 25w bulb and temps down to -3 no frozen water with a plastic drinker too!

[shoura]

it's a great idea, but only if you've got an electricity supply to your chicken area...

[BarbaraJ]

well yes hubby put an outside socket in for me to use a webcam for the chickens which didn't work out, so the sockets came in useful for something else

[The Dogmother]

I've been popping a warm snuggle safe under the drinker in the morning and reheating it at lunchtime, it has worked a treat.

 

If you're keeping the water warm, please remember to clean and replace the water every day or the warmth will create a good breeding ground for bacteria.

[BarbaraJ]

it doesnt seem to be enough to keep it warm at all just not freezing which is great

[Space Chick]

I agree with Barbara, its working a treat for my girls, the water is still very cold but not frozen

[Angels4]

it's a great idea, but only if you've got an electricity supply to your chicken area...

 

If you have no electricity at the coop, you could try the same tin (with a couple of air holes drilled in) fill it with sand and use a few tea lights. Something I had never thought about but was suggested by Egluntyne.

[Redwing]

Please do be careful with electricity outside or naked flames, even in tins

 

I work for a fire protection company - I've heard too many horror stories over the years

 

I'm not saying dont do it or that the ideas wont work because they will - just engage common sense when trying these things please!!!

[Space Chick]

My light in a tin has a circuit breaker attached, so fingers crossed

[Redwing]

when trailing any electrical flex outside (circuit breaker is a must obviously) then ensure there is a loop of the wire below the entry point to the tin so any water that lands on the flex runs down it to the loop and not down in to the light socket

 

It still makes me go cold at the thought of a lightbulb in a tin outside though

[Angels4]

This is a sage piece of advice Tasha. If I had paid more attention in the garden when I set up the Cube I would have put it at the rear of the house right next to the outlet. I also would have paid more attention to the prevailing winds and realized at the rear of the house is less windy (therefore less snow drifts). I will be moving the cube just as soon as I'm able.

[BarbaraJ]

Mine runs to a outside waterproof socket at waist height with the tin obviously on the floor and i also placed sand in my tin as a precautionary measure, sure that will be ok

[The Dogmother]

when trailing any electrical flex outside (circuit breaker is a must obviously) then ensure there is a loop of the wire below the entry point to the tin so any water that lands on the flex runs down it to the loop and not down in to the light socket

 

It still makes me go cold at the thought of a lightbulb in a tin outside though

 

Gives me the willies too

[ChrisEllis]

i really would say a tea light is much more suitable - with lgihtbulbs blowing etc and its a waste of electricity because its only using the light and the armth but the warmth isnt a primary use of lightbulbs - whereas tealights are cheap and will heat it more efficiently.

[Slim]

Being a electrician this is one of the most stupid ideas i have seen! unless all the components are designed to be water proof and heat proof. but the idea of a light bulb in a tin!!!!!

[ChrisEllis]

Being a electrician this is one of the most stupid ideas i have seen! unless all the components are designed to be water proof and heat proof. but the idea of a light bulb in a tin!!!!!

 

Thats sort of what i said - in a more subtle way lol

 

I really agree though - lightbulb - is too dangerous and not cost effective - just makes work for yourself

[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.

[Egluntyne]

Maybe the difference between US and UK electricity thingummybob wotsits impacts upon the safety aspects?