[Hawkins]

hi all,

has anyone tried the below I know it says to -4 and its a bit colder than that but wondering if anyone has tried it and do we think if it will be safe for out feathered friends

Ice Free for Bird Baths

Prevents water in bird baths freezing

Ice Free for Bird Baths is an eco-friendly product, which will prevent water in bird baths from freezing so that birds can drink and bathe in cold weather.The formula is based on plant extracts which will prevent freezing without harming birds or other wildlife.


Benefits of Ice Free for Bird Baths: By Just Green

http://www.just-green.com/2409/Just-Green-Ice-Free-for-Bird-Baths.html


o Prevents water freezing in temperatures to -4.0C
o Safe for use in all types of bird bath or water feature
o Clean, simple and easy to use.
o Cannot be overdosed
o Totally organic and safe for wildlife, plants,
humans and pets.

Dosage:

o 50 mls per dose in bird baths containing around 1.5 litres water
o In larger baths or water features add one further measure for each additional litre of water.
o Replenish Ice Free when topping up water levels.

Thanks

Em

[8doubles]

Probably food grade glycerine which you can get for under £4 inc p&p from ebay.

[Hawkins]

Is Glycerine safe as well then for them that sounds like a good idea.

[Aunt Sally]

50ml in 1.5L

That would mean I would use about 100ml per day

At £6.25 for 250ml that would work out quite expensive.

The advert says "Ice Free for Bird Baths does not contain glycerol or glycols."

[ehs284]

Any materials dissolved in water will lower the freezing point. Minus 4 isn't much difference. Have a look at what has frozen in your shed this week. At minus 4 - Water yes, but fruit juice no.

[wolverine]

I have thought about adatives to prevent freezing as I've been having problems with water freezing but instead I have bought this
http://www.chicken-house.co.uk/acatalog/Electric_Drinker_Heater.html
it arives today. I found the link on the winter tips thread I plugged it in and it warmed up pretty quick ( 2 mins ) only problem is it's a bit small my drinker hangs over the edge by about 10 mm I've adapted a piece of celotex ( insulating foam stuff ) to make it that bit bigger  to add more stability to the drinker. apart from the size I think as long as you only have one drinker it's a win     Wonder how much it will cost to run.

[Aunt Sally]

That's the one I recommended recently

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=68331.msg783875;topicseen#msg783875

They are very good

[Hawkins]

Shame sounds good but I havent got any electricity over where my chickens are kept.

[peanuts23]

I have always had problems with chicken drinkers freezing up during the day, 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. 

[bee]

How long is the lead on the water heater, please? I need about three metres from my outside electricity supply? Would the lead be ok to trail across a path and into the henhouse?
Thanks!

[wolverine]

The lead is only about 1.5 m long you will need a waterproof extention cable this is the sort of thing I'm gonna get

http://www.onlinelighting.co.uk/shop/garden-lights/accessories-cables/weatherproof-10m-extension-lead-344969.html

they should make the lead longer !!