Part 0800.0005

[Jenny Smedley]

Hi all,

 

It's coming up to frozen water time of the year again & as usual I've been searching for any form of heated water bowl for my hens. There are great things in USA- very large electrically heated dog bowls, small bird bath electric ice eliminators that would fit brilliantly in the glug etc. but as they are all calibrated for the American electricity system @ 120 V and we are 240V ,they are not suitable for the UK. (Unless some clever Omleteer can think of something??)

 

The only UK thing that I've found is a blue circular plastic electric heat pad that the drinker sits on top of to stop the water freezing- it's made by Wells Poultry:

 

http://www.chicken-house.co.uk/acatalog/Electric_Heater_for_animal_drinkers.html

 

I'm also looking at some Homebrew thermostatic bands that could be wrapped around the drinker to prevent the water freezing but haven' t sorted it out yet.

 

Although I live in Warwickshire & you'd think that the weather wouldn't get too bad, I live in quite an exposed site so the drinker freezes on a regular basis.

 

Anyone else have any ideas?

 

Thanks, Jenny

[chicken bark]

I thought about getting one of those microwaveable pads but I find that washing up bowls take longer to freeze over and they are cheaper if not as attractive.

[fluffy chick]

I use those microwavable snuggle safe pads. They give out heat for 10 hrs. Last year I used one in the coop at night for my youngsters too. They loved it. I think the cheapest I found was £17 off ebay. Well worth buying a couple in my opinion.

[Space Chick]

The last few years, we had a light bulb (joined to an overheat cut out) in a quality street tin (other tins are available ) then placed a bread crate (which we liberated from a woodland) over the tin and the drinker on top. It worked well

 

However, this year we have 2 WIRs and only 1 liberated bread crate

 

However we have a few top filling bucket drinkers, and OH has ideas if putting aquarium heaters into them this year can't say if it'll work yet, but if the girls don't peck the wires, it sounds a good concept

[lindafw]

speak nicely to your local convenience store..they may loan you a crate till the spring lol

[The Dogmother]

I use Snuggle Safes too - just pop a warm one under the drinker in the morning, reheat it at lunchtime and bring the water in over night - works for me

[sandyhas3chucks]

hmmmm?

but assuming there is power at the run then the electric one made for the job is only £7 more than a snugglesafe..

They appear by the picture to be same or similar construction and would be safe to use.

Are they hugely more costly than the USA ones?

If so what about the travel adapters?

[Egluntyne]

I'm not keen somehow on the mixture of hens, bedding and electricity. The risk of fire is too great IMHO in a back yard situation.

 

I have a couple of snugglesafes and although it means schlepping up the garden in icy weather, I prefer that option and find that it works well.

[sandyhas3chucks]

I'm not keen somehow on the mixture of hens, bedding and electricity. The risk of fire is too great IMHO in a back yard situation.

 

I have a couple of snugglesafes and although it means schlepping up the garden in icy weather, I prefer that option and find that it works well.

know what you mean, the thought of light bulbs and stuff gives me the heebee jeebees.

I am fortunate that I don't have this problem working from home,but through all that rotten cold and snow last year I trecked down the end of the garden to redoo the injured pigeons water..several time brrrrr..

but I reckon water in an insulated something bag, box, eski (lots of thermal things on sale for kids lunch boxes ) and a snuggle safe inside should provide lots of unfozen water

[bouldercroft]

but as they are all calibrated for the American electricity system @ 120 V and we are 240V ,they are not suitable for the UK. (Unless some clever Omleteer can think of something??)

 

Hi Jenny - I posted the solution to the problem on your last thread..you can get a step-up transformer for quite cheap...

 

http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=82303&start=15