I installed a small fountain pump from Lowe's about $12.00. I circulates the water from tank through nipples and back to tank. This really worked well when temp. went below freezing.
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I also am interested. I was just going to have some kind of 5 gallon bucket with a nipple on the bottom. I think if I could keep the water warm in the bucket the nipple would stay unfrozen. I am tired of pool in the water, as the chickens sit on the waterer.
How are you going to supply this system with fresh water?
I suppose I could use standard heat tape inside the bucket - maybe that's enough to keep a 5 gallon bucket from freezing.
I set mine up with a water supply seperate from my nipples.I saw bucket heaters at the feed store last time I was in. You just drop them in the bucket. They have a waterproof plug in cord.
I just started the system this year, but I don't see it would be a problem in a coup with a small heater in it. Maybe a few super cold days might get it frozen a bit, but I'm gonna feel safe with just a small bird waterer heater in it. But then again, I also just have mine attached to a bucket and not a long piece of PVC.After reading this whole thread it doesn't seem that anyone knows conclusively if keeping the water moving prevents freezing. In fact, there's even a comment from someone who uses this system who says that even keeping the water warm and moving doesn't prevent the nipples from freezing.
Is it safe to say that the nipple watering system isn't completely winterizable?
After reading this whole thread it doesn't seem that anyone knows conclusively if keeping the water moving prevents freezing. In fact, there's even a comment from someone who uses this system who says that even keeping the water warm and moving doesn't prevent the nipples from freezing.
Is it safe to say that the nipple watering system isn't completely winterizable?