When do you remove the heated waterer?

[JoCin]

Morning BYC! I know this question sounds like simple math based on outside temperature, but I wanted some expert advice. When do you generally take out your heated waterers and replace it with your normal waterers? We're getting better temps here in central Illinois, but I also don't want to remove them too soon and deter my hens from drinking if the water is too cold (like seriously too cold, just off freezing). Water is so important for their health and I want to provide it to them in the best way possible. Thanks for any advise. Can you tell it's our first year? LOL

 

[saysfaa]

Mine drank about as much very cold water as they did warm water. "Cold" being break through the skim of ice on top of water surrounded by ice. "Warm" being tap water, sometimes from the cold faucet and sometimes from about half way between cold and hot from the faucet.

So I don't think they mind very cold water. I don't think it hurts them any more than it does people who put lots of ice in their water. It probably makes less difference because I think chickens tend to sip smaller amounts (proportional to their size) more often than people do so are less likely to feel chilled from it.

Chickens do hate change, though, so yours may not like cold water if they've only had warm water. I only had heated water for less than two weeks (while a neighbor took care of them), so mine encountered ice early and often.

 

[Sally PB]

My heated waterer (dog bowl style) keeps the water at about 40 degrees, so "refrigerator" temperature.

Once the day time temps are going to be above freezing, I stop plugging in the heated bowl. I just curl up the cord to keep it out of the way.

 

[RojoMarz]

I have a heated base under a metal waterer. The base has an auto on/off depending upon the outdoor temp. Has worked very well during our Colorado winter.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I go by the upcoming temperature forecast and when nights are no longer at/below freezing and seems like it'll stay that way, I unplug the heat (same waterer, I just no longer have the cord plugged in).

 

[JoCin]

Mine drank about as much very cold water as they did warm water. "Cold" being break through the skim of ice on top of water surrounded by ice. "Warm" being tap water, sometimes from the cold faucet and sometimes from about half way between cold and hot from the faucet.

So I don't think they mind very cold water. I don't think it hurts them any more than it does people who put lots of ice in their water. It probably makes less difference because I think chickens tend to sip smaller amounts (proportional to their size) more often than people do so are less likely to feel chilled from it.

Chickens do hate change, though, so yours may not like cold water if they've only had warm water. I only had heated water for less than two weeks (while a neighbor took care of them), so mine encountered ice early and often.

Thank you!