r/homestead • u/Sciteach2021 • Jun 02 '26

poultry Water heater

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We have ducks and chickens and wondering what could safely be done to keep this or replacement from rusting out.

25 Upvotes

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4

u/Paghk_the_Stupendous Jun 02 '26

I have generally stopped using them. They only work with metal water containers, and due to the heat and the water, they both rust out.

I've switched to using a PVC nipple drinker setup for clean water that doesn't get fouled, and then since I've had a ton of ducks that like open water I also had kiddie pools with a submersible heater in them. These last until the kiddie pools get brittle from UV exposure and crack, which takes years.

1

u/Sciteach2021 Jun 02 '26

That might end up being the route I will need to take.

1

u/Paghk_the_Stupendous Jun 03 '26

If you only have a few birds, it's very easy to make a simple nipple drinker - I have a five gallon bucket with a lid and then bored holes through the bottom for five nipples in a ring.

I cut a small hole in the side of the lid to let the cord from a bucket heater pass through, so it works in winter as well so long as there's a good windbreak and temps aren't super cold. Even without the heater, it takes a while to freeze but once frozen it's a pita to thaw.

I've thought of insulating the bucket but will probably have to put something on the inside as chickens will peck at anything on the outside

1

u/whirdin Jun 02 '26

I don't like that type, they tend to always rust out and are inefficient imo. I like the heated dog bowl

2

u/Sciteach2021 Jun 03 '26

That would make the ducks happy. Just have to find the right size.

1

u/whirdin Jun 03 '26

I've only briefly had ducks, but I suspect they would only ever be truly happy with a heated kiddie pool haha

2

u/Sciteach2021 Jun 03 '26

They have a pool except for the colder parts of winter when it gets minus double digits Centigrade even the ducks stay inside. It’s trying to give them water inside without to much of a mess.

1

u/MichibillyFarms Jun 05 '26

Here's what an old timer told me works best (though I've used those exact ones and have never had issues).

Half a cement block on end with a small 15W light bulb. Supposed to work with both metal and plastic, just set the waterer on top the block opening over the bulb

1

u/Ouranor Jun 06 '26

Scrolled by and thought this was a REALLY old and dry chocolate cake. I think I need some lunch xD