rosebudrollers
35 posts
Jan 16, 2007
1:19 PM
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How long during the day should we present unfrozen water to our birds? Thanks in advance ,Curtis
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Bluesman
Pigeon Fancier
972 posts
Jan 16, 2007
1:25 PM
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Curtis. On my kit birds I just let the water in long enough that they can all get a drink after they are done eating.30 minutes is plenty of time once a day for kit birds.
With my breeders I do the same unless I am breeding then I try to keep their water from freezing.
Pigeons usually only drink a couple times a day right after feeding. David
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Shaun
416 posts
Jan 16, 2007
1:40 PM
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This year, in the UK, our winter temperatures have been stupidly high. However, last year, it was day after day of freezing cold. Each morning, I used to boil a couple of kettles and pour some hot water into the drinkers in both kitboxes and breeder lofts. It would melt the capping of ice, then as the temperature rose a few degrees during the day, it wouldn't freeze over again until the evening, when water wasn't needed.
If you have water which isn't thawing because it's sub-zero day and night, then more intervention may be called for. When I was winter breeding, the oyster shell which they regularly scoffed, together with the feeding of squabs, meant the birds had quite a thirst, so I was very aware of the water freezing over.
Shaun
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Velo99
864 posts
Jan 16, 2007
2:09 PM
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I give them fresh twice a day when it is below freezing during the day.
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If they don`t kit,they don`t score.
Color don`t roll and peds don`t fly.
It`s a comp thing,understand?
V99
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tapp
159 posts
Jan 16, 2007
6:06 PM
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Curtis, here in southern mi. this time of year I use candle warmers, or coffee mug warmers with a clay flower pot bottom turned upside down over the heater I cut a 2 in. hole in a gal. plastic jug about 2 in from bottom. There water never freezes.I have these in all my kit boxes. In my cock and hen pens I use a flip top square cat litter pail with a hole on each side put in between There pen. I use a small ceramic light fixture in the top and use a 40 watt light bulb for temps down to about 20deg. and 60 when really cold.
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Tapp
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longarm
37 posts
Jan 16, 2007
8:14 PM
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For those who might be interested I run a water system that reqiresa little work to set up but is freeze proof and requires very little mantaining.
First you will need two plastic trash barrels, a garden pump. 2 inch pvs schedule 40, 2 inch pvc end caps,screw in brass nipples ( ok make with the jokes ) and some flexable tubeing.
Dig a hole and place the two trash cans two inchs above ground level one inside the other. Set the pump in the can. route the hose to the pvc which should be cut with a 1/2 inch slot down the middle with he end caps on and the nipples on each end the inlet should be small ( about 1/2 inch) the outlet should be as large as you can get ( I use a 1-1/4 inch return. the water is pumped in one side and flows out the other back to the barrel constant movement and in ground keeps it from freezeing.
The pvc runs on the outside of the individual pens so they have to reach through to get it and for the odd bird loft it has a tin v cover to eliminate roosting. when you need to clean the can just pump out and pull it out. the other can will keep the dirt from caving in.
Ok I hope that was clear as mud. If I have made more questions than awnsers just ask. c.j.
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W@yne
195 posts
Jan 16, 2007
10:20 PM
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Try adding apple cider vinegar it will help to avoid your water from freezing guys.
regards
W@yne uk
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Santandercol
665 posts
Jan 17, 2007
6:03 AM
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Yeah Wayne,I thought you folks only got wet and foggy over there in the UK!LOL.It freezes too eh?
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Kelly
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rosebudrollers
36 posts
Jan 17, 2007
7:12 AM
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Hey guys ,I am thinking about experimenting with useing compressed air with a small line attached at the bottom of the warerer and letting small bubbles do the trick.Probaly scare the s out them but it might work. I have seen ranchers use this on their tanks before.What you think? Curtis
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W@yne
196 posts
Jan 17, 2007
9:01 AM
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Sorry guys whether its made slightly stronger over here i don't know but it wont freeze here to -5 i use it regularly when the weather starts to get on the cold side. Lol didn't know you guys was talking teens below lol
regards
W@yne
Last Edited by on Jan 17, 2007 9:07 AM
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tapp
160 posts
Jan 17, 2007
7:18 PM
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Hey bluesman, my a/c froze solid yesterday. Its been down to the teens the last few nights. I put it in the horse"s water tank.Its heated, so i dont have to walk to the house every time I need it! Next week probably be 20 below Or 50+ deg. who knows.
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Tapp
Last Edited by on Jan 17, 2007 7:20 PM
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classicpony
75 posts
Jan 18, 2007
4:34 PM
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I went to Wal-mart and got a fish tank heater, (smallest one) and put that in there water, NO MORE Frozen water :) less them $10 and going for its second season now. I just plug them in when is cold enought for the water to freeze.
Jim
@birdhouse
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belle
109 posts
Jan 18, 2007
5:24 PM
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Hey Wayne I put ACV in my water to help stop it from freezing, it works good. But when it is in the teens (fun LOL) I think everything freezes.
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classicpony
76 posts
Jan 18, 2007
7:01 PM
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Bluesman,
Wal-mart that 3 different sizes, I picked the smallest one out. My waterers are 1gal in size. I will take a pix or 2 to show you if you want to see. Seeing is better this trying to discribe everything :)
Jim
@birdhouse
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Santandercol
675 posts
Jan 18, 2007
7:53 PM
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Show us Jim.
Kel.
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Bluesman
Pigeon Fancier
976 posts
Jan 19, 2007
2:36 AM
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My son asked me why I didn't use this type of heater.I told him I wasn't interested.He has an outside pool for his goldfish and I just thought it would be to big.DUH. I never thought about anything smaller.And he didn't tell me about one either.LOL.
Send those pics.Got me interested. David
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classicpony
77 posts
Jan 19, 2007
11:05 AM
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Ok back! Got those pix.
The water'er is 1 gal in size sold at Wal-mart. It's for Cats or Dogs.
Bird view. Notice the wooden piece I cut out an layed on top of the water tray. It lets only 1 bird drink at a time & helps keep the water clean.
Your looking at the heater after taking the one gallon water jug off. See the small fish heater inside on the bottom. Its made of glass or hard plastic and has a rubber suckin cup attached keep help keep it in place plus its fully automatic (nothing to set)just plug in.
So far this seems to have worked very well for me. It's just plug and unplug
I just hate changing water everytime it's freezin out
Jim
@birdhouse
Last Edited by on Jan 19, 2007 11:16 AM
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Santandercol
678 posts
Jan 19, 2007
12:07 PM
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Looks easy enough.TKS Jim.
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Kelly
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tapp
168 posts
Jan 19, 2007
6:42 PM
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Jim, whats the coldest you've used that set up in. I'll bet the top jug would freze solid here at my place. Maybe not though. Just curious.
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Tapp
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classicpony
78 posts
Jan 19, 2007
7:50 PM
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Single digits for a couple of nights, and the water jug was luke warm yet. I check the water hole to make sure its not frozen cause I always thought to would be the first to freeze. Its cold but not froze.
Jim
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bman
174 posts
Jan 19, 2007
8:07 PM
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I wouldn't think it would freeze at all.I have one of those small outdoor ponds with a heater in it and it hasn,t frozen yet and its been down to 10F
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Ron
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Bluesman
Pigeon Fancier
978 posts
Jan 20, 2007
4:27 AM
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Jim.Thanks for the pics.Got to give one a try.David
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classicpony
79 posts
Jan 20, 2007
7:05 AM
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Anytime! Thats what makes this place so great, shareing ideas, and talking with others in the same hobby. :)
Jim
@birdhouse
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rosebudrollers
37 posts
Jan 20, 2007
8:28 AM
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Great ideas guys.I will try the fish heater but electricty emerged in water gives me caution! thanks Curtis
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classicpony
80 posts
Jan 20, 2007
9:04 AM
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Hasn't killed the fishs yet...... I hope! :)
Jim
@birdhouse
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Santandercol
696 posts
Jan 21, 2007
7:39 PM
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Rosebud Curt,
The wires are all insulated.You won't get zapped.
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Kelly
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ArlenS
8 posts
Jan 31, 2007
11:51 AM
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Apple Cider Vinegar to Lower Water Freezing Point.
Please let me know how much apple cider vinegar I can add to drinking water to reduce freezing, but not so much that they won't drink it? Thanks. I still have no electrical power for heaters, but hope to fix that soon.
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Missouri-Flyer
168 posts
Jan 31, 2007
11:59 AM
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Arlen,
a temp solution could be run an extension ccord from house to loft and place a heat lamp or halogen type free standing light, then place water containers in front of them..Jerry
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Eat, sleep, Cowboys, Pigeons... The facts of life
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bman
201 posts
Jan 31, 2007
12:08 PM
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Arlen don't no where your at but here(Ohio) forecast for the weekend is in the single digits for the highs.
Cider won't help with that.I just switch waters in the morning and evening while the other one thaws.In a pinch they'll do fine drinking once a day after you feed them.
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Ron
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ArlenS
9 posts
Jan 31, 2007
12:23 PM
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Thanks guys. Cold here it Colorado also. I'll try running an extension cord to the house to some flat water heaters I previously bought from Foy's.
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ArlenS
10 posts
Jan 31, 2007
12:43 PM
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I forgot to mention that I have been breeding through the winter just for this year. Lately, water has been freezing shortly after I put it in the cage in the morning. That can be a problem with a hen sitting on eggs or very young chicks that doesn't get up to drink until the cock takes her place on the eggs later in the day. I was concerned about not always getting home before dark to bring in hot water twice a day. I guess I better run that extension cord ASAP.
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J_Star
784 posts
Jan 31, 2007
5:10 PM
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I used to have the same problem with water freezing until I puchased Thermstatic Fountain Heater. The best thing with this is that it doesn't use much electricity. It automatically goes on when temperature drops below 38 degrees. It also comes with a grounded wire that is 6 feet long and it is 16" wide X 2" high. If you are using the 16" bath pan, it is similar to that but upside down. It workes great. I also use a 2 gallon metal double wall fountain. The best thing I have found to keep the water warm. Remember that you can not use medication mixed in water in the metal galvanized fountains. It will cause a reaction with the medication and will give your birds Sour Crop. You can puchase the Thermstatic Fountain Heater from Foy's or Jeds. I have mine for four years and still working fine. In the spring, I remove it and just use the water fountain by itself. When I medicate before the breeding season, I use a plastic water fountain. Just thought to share this info with you. Good luck.
Jay
Last Edited by on Jan 31, 2007 5:12 PM
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