Want to overcome one of the toughest winter chicken keeping problems on the homestead? Figure out how to keep your flock’s water from freezing during the winter! These 20 ways to keep your chickens’ water from freezing will be helpful for conquering this winter chicken keeping problem! Having electricity out at the chicken coop does offer multiple ways to keep water from freezing. However, I have also listed some off-the-grid methods in case your homestead coop isn’t set up with electricty. Ensuring your flock has fresh, clean, unfrozen water to drink during the winter will help them stay hydrated and healthy during the cold months!
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Cold Hardy Methods
The degree to which you struggle with keeping your flock’s water unfrozen will depend on your region’s winter weather severness. Most northern climates experience severe winter weather that makes keeping water unfrozen at the chicken coop down right difficult!
Some off-the-grid methods may work for early on in the winter or for abnormally mild winters. However you will want to have a reliable way to keep your flock’s water from freezing if your winters are routinely severe and the temperatures regularly dip below freezing.
For regions where the winter temperatures regularly dip below freezing, both during the day and the night, these solutions to keeping your homestead flock’s water unfrozen may be just what you need! They are a reliable solution for when the temperatures stay below freezing for an extended period of time as well.
Most of these cold hardy methods do require electricity at the chicken coop. However, they are reliable and won’t require much maintenance during cold weather.
A few quick notes about these methods:
- make sure all electrical connections are made correctly and safely
- never use extension cords at the chicken coop
- obviously if the power goes out, electrically powdered heating systems won’t work!
- instead of electricity, you could see about rigging up a solar system at the coop or a battery system that is regularly charged
Consider these 9 cold hardy methods for keeping chickens’ water form freezing is you live in a region that experiences severe winter weather!
#1. Heated Water Base
An electric heated water base for poultry systems is a tried and true method for keeping water unfrozen at the chicken coop! I have used heated water bases at the coops ever since I started raising my homestead flocks. Every winter they work wonderfully and I never have to worry about my chickens being without water during the cold Michigan winter days.
Heated water bases do need to be plugged into elctricity. Having electricity safely installed at the chicken coop should be a serious consideration if you live in regions that experience severe winter weather. Once the heated water base is plugged into an electricity source, it will only turn on when the temperature gets below freezing. That means you are not wasting electricity when it is warm enough that water won’t freeze.
Heated water bases do need a flat surface to be set on and they should only be used with plastic water systems. If you use metal or galvanized water systems on the heated bases, the metal will rust and could contaminate the water. Depending on the size of your chicken coop or enclosure, the heated bases may take up a considerable amount of space.
I have found that the Farm Innovators heated water bases have a very long usable life. I have only had to replace one of mine over the past 8 years and it was because it was so rusted. Now I take measures to ensure the heated bases stay as dry as possible and get cleaned every year before they are put away in the spring.
#2. Heated Water Systems
Much like a heated water base, heated poultry water systems are another reliable way to keep water from freezing at the chicken coop! There are now many styles of heated water systems that you can buy for the chicken coop. Many of them are hanging water systems, which is great for keeping the water clean and for freeing up space in the coop or enclosure.
Again, heated water systems will have to be plugged into an energy source. If you don’t want to install electricity at the chicken coop, you may consider setting up a battery system or a solar charging system for providing an energy source at the chicken coop.
#3. DIY Heated Water Base
Instead of buying a heated water system, you can make your own DIY heated water base for your flock’s water! Basically you are creating a warm surface to set your flock’s water container on top of, much like commercial heated water bases.
There are many tutorials out there for creating a DIY heated water base and you will want to choose one that you can safely make for your coop. Some of the materials used for making a homemade heated water base include a cookie tin or hollow cinder block along with a 25-40 watt light bulb.
Since DIY heated water bases are relying on the heat generated by a lightbulb, they may not be super reliable for regions that experience extremely cold winter temperatures. You should also make sure that all electrical connections are made safely and correctly when making your own DIY heated water base.
#4. Heated Pet Bowls
An alternative to heated poultry water bases or heated water systems is simply using a heated pet bowl! You will still need to plug heated pet bowls into electricity. However, they are often cheaper than a heated water base or heated poultry water system. You can choose from many styles and sizes of heated pet bowls, which makes finding a good fit for your coop set-up a little easier.
One downfall to using heated pet bowls is the fact that they often allow the water to get dirtier than traditional poultry water systems. More water surface area is open to the air and the bowls are often low-sided. This makes it easy for dirt and debris to be flung into the water. Raising the pet bowl up on blocks and cleaning it regularly can mitigate these dilemmas.
#5. Bird Bath Deicer
Deicers are a non-traditional method you can check out for keeping your flock’s water form freezing. Birdbath deicers and livestock tank deicers can both be used to keep water from freezing. I find that birdbath deicers are more reasonably sized to fit into chicken water systems than livestock tank deicers.
Deicers still need to be plugged into electricity. They work by keeping the water just warm enough to prevent it from freezing.
#6. Water Filter
Moving water doesn’t freeze as quickly as still water. The faster the water moves, the less likely it is to freeze. Installing a water filter in your flock’s water system can help prevent it from freezing. The filter doesn’t even need to contain an actual filtration system. It simply needs to keep the water flowing so that there is always movement to prevent freezing.
A small fish tank filter may be a good option since many poultry water systems can’t accomodate large water filters.
#7. Fountain or Aeration System
Much like a water filter keeps the water moving, a water aeration system or fountain will work the same way! Anything that creates a water flow will prolong the time it takes for your flock’s water to freeze. You can rig up a simple water fountain where your chickens can access it or create a water aeration system in your flock’s water source.
Finding and using a fish tank aeration system may work for keeping water unfrozen at the chicken coop! Systems that create small bubbles in the water will keep the water moving to prevent it from freezing.
#8. Fish Tank Heater
Since we’ve already considered a fish tank filter and a fish tank water aerator, why not consider a fish tank heater? Never knew all the things winter chicken keeping and raising fish had in common! Small fish tank heaters are used to keep the tank water a certain temperature for tropical fish.
It can work the same way in your flock’s water! Like all the other methods mentioned so far, you will need to plug a fish tank heater into electricity. One downfall to fish tank heaters is the fact that most fish tank heaters are on all the time, no matter if the outside temperature is below freezing or not. However, these small appliances can be inexpensive and don’t use a significant amount of energy.
#9. Heat Tape
Lastly, another cold hardy winter option for keeping your flock’s water from freezing is by using heat tape. Heat tape is an electrical heating element that can be wrapped around water systems to keep them warm. When choosing heat tape for poultry water systems, you will want to choose heat tape that has the lowest wattage. You need just enough heat to keep the water from freezing, not enough to actually heat the water.
There are many versions of electrical heat tape so you will need to choose the one that is safest and most effective for your flock’s water system.
Mild Winter Methods
In regions that don’t experience very severe winter weather, some of these off-the-grid methods for keeping water unfrozen may be just the key to keeping your flock’s water from freezing during the winter! For northern homesteaders, some of these methods can be used successfully early on in the winter or regularly maintained throughout the winter.
While all of these methods don’t require an electricity source, many of them do utilize the heat and energy from the sun. That means they need to be located in a sunny spot (not inside the coop) and the sun needs to be shining. Even if the sun isn’t shining, there are still some methods you can use to keep your flock’s water from freezing on cold days.
Many of these methods can be used in conjunction with one another to further prolong the time it takes for water to freeze at the chicken coop!
Consider these 11 mild winter methods for keeping your flock’s water unfrozen if you live in a region that has mild winter weather.
#10. Bobbing Balls
I alreday mentioned that moving water doesn’t freeze as quickly as still water, so adding anything to your flock’s water that stimulates movement will prolong freezing! One simple way to stimulate water movement is to have something floating and bobbing in the water.
Plastic ping pong balls or fake plastic eggs will all float in water! The bobbing balls method works best on water systems that are open to the air. Slight wind currents will move the floating objects just enough to create water movement. The more the bobbing objects, the more effective they will be at keeping the water from freezing.
Keep in mind the bobbing balls method will only work if the balls (or plastic eggs) are being moved in the water. If they simply float and hover near an edge of the water container then they won’t be creating water movement to prevent freezing.
#11. Window Pane Tent
Old window panes (that are clean) can be set-up to create a mini greenhouse effect for your flock’s water. Setting up a window pane tent will require some ground space in your flock’s enclosure. You basically prop two windown panes against each other to create a triangular tent. Make sure the tops are secured together to prevent the tent from collapsing!
You should place the window pane tent in a spot that recieves sunlight. The window panes will attract the sunlight and create a warmer atmosphere below them where the water is located. Since sunlight also stimulates algae growth, you will need to the clean the water system on a regular basis.
Kepe in mind that your flock may find the window pane tent a convenient place to perch too! The window panes may need regular cleaning to keep them from becoming too dirty and not doing their job effectively. Keep in mind that the window panes will be the most effective on sunny days!
#12. Old Tires
Old tires can be used to attract and absorb the warmth from the sun to keep your flock’s water source form freezing. The black tires will absorb and hold the heat from the sun. If you place your flock’s water source on or in the tire, the heat absorbed by the tire will prevent the water from freezing.
You will need to make sure the tire is placed in a sunny location so that it can absorb the heat from the sun. The tire method may also take up a considerable amount of space in your flock’s enclosure. Again, the black tires will only be helpful on sunny days.
#13. Black Livestock Feed Tubs
Similar to old tires, black livestock feed tubs can also be used as a source of water for your flock during the winter. The black feed tubs will absorb the heat from the sun and prolong the time before the water freezes. One problem with livestock feed tubs is finding a tub that will work for your flock.
You want one that is big enough to hold adequate water and not be tipped over. However, you don’t want one that is so big your chickens have a hard time drinking from it or it takes up too much space in the enclosure.
You will need to place the black feed tub in a sunny spot in order for it to absorb heat from the sun and keep the water unfrozen. A combination of a black feed tub and plus some objects bobbing in the water can help keep your flock’s water from freezing during cold spells.
Keep in mind that the black tubs can only absorb heat when the sun is shining on them and won’t be as effective on cloudy days.
#14. Mini Greenhouse
Much like the window pane method, creating a mini greenhouse to place your flock’s water under is helpful for utilizing the warmth from the sun. You can fashion a mini greenhouse out of any material that is somewhat opaque. Clear construction plastic can easily be stapled onto a frame to make a mini greenhouse box for your flock’s water. Just make sure one side is open so your chickens can access their water.
You will need to place the mini greenhouse in a sunny spot in your flock’s enclosure. Try to discourage your flock from wanting to roost on the greenhouse. You will need to refresh your flock’s water daily and scrub out any algae.
To winterize my chicken coops, I surround the enclosure with clear construction plastic. The plastic creates a wind block for the chickens and provides a slight ‘greehouse effect’ within the enclosures.
#15. Warm Water + Waterer
Sometimes just some warm water placed in a warm water container is all it takes to keep your flock’s water from freezing! This is usually the case if the night-time temperatures are cold but during the day the temperatures stay above freezing.
All you have to do is clean your flock’s water source with warm water and fill it with room temperature water. Just bring it out to your flock every morning so they can have fresh water to last them through the day. Chickens won’t drink water that is too warm. So you must make sure you use room temperature or lukewarm water.
#16. Salt Water Bottle Method
Another method you can try to keep your flock’s water from freezing is the salt-water bottle method. This method involves placing a bottle full of salt water in your flock’s water source. Salt water has a lower freezing point than fresh water. By keeping some contained salt water in your flock’s fresh drinking water, the freezing point is lowered.
IMPORTANT: Don’t put salt straight in your flock’s drinking water! Drinking salt water will kill your chickens!
To safely do the salt-water bottle method, choose a clean bottle that has a tight screwing cap. Dissolve 1/3 cup of salt in 3 cups of boiling water, or as much as salt as will dissolve in the water. Let the salt water cool slightly before filling your bottle. Tightly secure the cap on the bottle and place the bottle in your flock’s fresh drinking water.
This method may keep your flock’s water from freezing for an extended period of time. You will need to choose a bottle that fits in your flock’s water source. Also, regularly check on the salt-water bottle to make sure it is not freezing and cracking and is not leaking at all.
#17. Black Plastic
We’ve already discussed how black tires and black livestock feed tubs can absorb heat to keep water from freezing. Black plastic can be utilized in the same way. You can make a mini ‘black’ house in place of a greenhouse using black plastic. Simply staple some black plastic around a frame that is open on one side. The water container will sit underneath the frame and the open side will allow your flock access to the water.
You can also cover surfaces with black plastic to set your flock’s water source on. Blocks of wood, cement blocks, or any other hard surface can be wrapped in plastic to act at a heat-absorbing water stand. You could even wrap your flock’s water source directly in black plastic!
The black plastic will need to be exposed to sunshine in order to absorb and retain heat. Also, make sure you choose a heavy duty, sturdy black plastic so that your flock can’t rip pieces off out of curiosity or boredom.
#18. Large Water Surface Area
Simply having a large water surface area can prolong the time it takes for water to freeze. The larger the surface area, the longer it will take for it to freeze over. This is not always a convenient option for the chicken coop, but it is one you can consider if you have multiple animals who can use the same water source. Large water containers will take up a lot of space at the chicken coop and may allow the water to get dirtier.
Use a large black livestock feed tub, fill it with lukewarm water, and place some sort of bobbing object in it to combine several electricity-free methods for keeping your flock’s water form freezing!
#19. Rubber Containers
The type of water container you use for your flock can also play a role in how long it takes for the water to freeze. Metal and galvanized water container will make the water freeze quickly. Plastic water containers prolong the time it takes for water freeze. Rubber water containers are the best at extending the time it takes for water freeze.
#20. Install at Ground Level
Lastly, another off-the-grid method for keeping your flock’s water from freezing is burying your flock’s water source partially in the ground. Ideally you want to be below your regions frost line, however, that is not always convenient in northern regions! Burying the water container in a depression that keeps the rim of the water source about 4-6″ above the ground can help prevent the water from freezing.
When making an in-ground water source for your flock you will want to keep in mind how easy it will be to clean and re-fill. Making it so that you can remove the water container is convenient for easily scrubbing and refilling the water container. In-ground water sources often get dirtier because dirt and debris can eaily be kicked into the water.
Conquer Frozen Water!
These 20 ways to keep your chickens’ water from freezing should give you plenty of options for keeping your flock’s water unfrozen this winter! Whether you have electricity installed at the coop or if you have an off-the-grid homestead coop, there are methods no matter how your coop is set-up. If you routinely have prolonged and severe winter weather, you may want to seriously consider the cold hardy methods for keeping water unfrozen. These solutions often require less maintenance and are more reliable. However, the mild winter methods are helpful when the weather isn’t so extreme.
Making sure your flock has access to clean, fresh, and unfrozen drinking water this winter can go a long way in keeping them healthy and hydrated!
Don’t miss any of our other tips for keeping your homestead flock healthy and warm this winter! Join our modern pioneer newsletter community and get our free ebook on Raising Chickens Like a Pioneer! Or, check out our ultimate guide to winter chicken keeping in The Trading Post!
by Alexa
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