how to prevent water from freezing

Hi there

Does anybody have any suggestions on how to prevent the drinking water from freezing.  We have not had any frosts yet but I am concerned as we are away from home all day most days of the week.

many thanks
Maria

I put a fish tank heater in mine when the weather is freezing hard. 

It was a tip that our Muntjac gave me.  You have to switch it off and allow it to cool before changing the water though or it will break.

I heard if you put a ball that will float in the water, even a small breeze is sufficient enough to keep the ball moving and will prevent the surface water around it from freezing.

No, it is no really practical.  It would have to be 20% Glycerine to stop it freezing a -5^oC.

dependant on the type of water container, and subject to a power supply being available,

a small aquarium type air pump and air stone just enough to keep the surface moving will help slow freezing over or the surface

if you have an electrical supply handy, there are some heaters available that a water container can sit on, just to keep it warm and stop it freezing, if you dont have a supply handy, its change it every half day, chucks would not move a ball to get to the water, i think that was mainly in fish ponds to let the water breathe for the fish