Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: suzychucklover on November 26, 2010, 20:54

Title: How can I stop my chickens water from freezing
Post by: suzychucklover on November 26, 2010, 20:54
I seem to remember reading somewhere that Grapefruit seed oil added to the drinking water will stop it freezing in very cold weather - Has anyone tried this??  It is a natural oil and is suppose to be good for the chickens digestive system so would be ok to add to the water.

Anyone had any experiences with this oil??
Title: Re: How can I stop my chickens water from freezing
Post by: Debsie on November 26, 2010, 22:08
not heard about this oil, having same problem myself, easiest to bring the drinker indoors at night
Title: Re: How can I stop my chickens water from freezing
Post by: TeaPots on November 27, 2010, 00:40
Every year we have a zillion posts on this subject. Nothing really stops it freezing. I empty mine at night, and then refil with fresh water every morning. Much easier than trying to defrost, and kinder to the plastic waterers, which can get brittle and crack. 

PLEASE dont be tempted to put the water inside the actual coops at night. It increases the humidity and condensation in there, and can be quite nasty for the chickens....damp as well as cold.
Title: Re: How can I stop my chickens water from freezing
Post by: joyfull on November 27, 2010, 11:17
if you have an outside source of electricity you can buy things like this:-

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

I don't have electric in my garden so have never used anything like this so can't let you know how good they are sorry.
Title: Re: How can I stop my chickens water from freezing
Post by: bluemaran on November 27, 2010, 12:09
I use empty biscuit tins,drill a few holes in the top and around the sides.Then put tealight candles in and place under suspended drinker with about a 2" gap.Worked well last year and is working well this year.The candles burn just long enough till the sun gets up and running.supose you could put fatter candles in to make it last longer.
Title: Re: How can I stop my chickens water from freezing
Post by: orchardlady on November 27, 2010, 15:36
Now that sounds like an excellent idea bluemaran. I might just try that with my ducks sand pit pond. A tin floating in the water might keep it relatively ice free.
Title: Re: How can I stop my chickens water from freezing
Post by: Flowerpower136 on November 27, 2010, 16:56
I have 2 water containers and just alternate them.
Title: Re: How can I stop my chickens water from freezing
Post by: orchardlady on November 27, 2010, 16:59
Well no time like the present so I've made holes in a Quality Street tin and set three candles in it. It's sitting in the ducks sand pit pond that's full of broken up ice from last night and I'll report back tomorrow on how it goes.
Title: Re: How can I stop my chickens water from freezing
Post by: pigeonpie on November 27, 2010, 17:44
Brilliant idea about the tea lights, will try that tomorrow.  It's a far more preferable idea to what the chickens were suggesting earlier as they gathered outside the patio doors with pathetic looks on their faces! 
Title: Re: How can I stop my chickens water from freezing
Post by: TeaPots on November 27, 2010, 18:43
 :lol: :lol: :lol:
I know that look  ::) :tongue2:
Title: Re: How can I stop my chickens water from freezing
Post by: Elcie on November 27, 2010, 19:34
A fellow chicken keeper at the allotment said that glycerine in the water works.  Has anyone tried this?
Title: Re: How can I stop my chickens water from freezing
Post by: Dabhand on November 27, 2010, 20:56
Every year we have a zillion posts on this subject. Nothing really stops it freezing. I empty mine at night, and then refil with fresh water every morning. Much easier than trying to defrost, and kinder to the plastic waterers, which can get brittle and crack. 


I do this anyway Teapots.  I think the problem being referred to is how to stop water freezing during the day.  I can't really see Grapefruit oil stopping it freezing but glycerine
may do.

Title: Re: How can I stop my chickens water from freezing
Post by: orchardlady on November 28, 2010, 18:34
Well it didn't work quite a I hoped for the ducks sand pit pond but then it was full of ice to start. I don't think it will do for a decent body of water but as suggested would be ideal for a water drinker during the day.
Title: Re: How can I stop my chickens water from freezing
Post by: peanuts23 on December 09, 2010, 08:05
I have been having the same problem, but have managed to find a cure!  I fill a small plastic bottle (something like an old pill bottle) with boiling water, screw the cap on tight and then drop it into the water drinker.  This has managed to stop the water freezing during the day.

Up to now 9 December 2010, this has worked fine when outside temperatures have been minus 6 degrees. 

Hope this helps.  Kind regards, Lisa
 :tongue2: