How Do I Water Chickens with Pan Warmers?

Chickens don't mind cold weather, as long as their coop provides plenty of ventilation and room to exercise either inside or out. However, while they can stand some cold weather, they can't stand frozen water, so keeping their water warm is essential. There are many water heaters available for purchase, but you can also make a simple one yourself.

Things You'll Need

  • Poultry water warmer
  • Cake pan or flower pot
  • Galvanized poultry waterer
  • 60 watt incandescent light bulb
  • Outdoor power cord
  • Timer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a pan heater for your chicken's water. This is the easiest solution. You can buy a pan heater at almost any feed store or an online poultry supplier. The pan will look like an upside down cake pan, and have a heating element and a plug.

    • 2

      Purchase a galvanized poultry waterer. This will conduct heat better than a plastic one.

    • 3

      Make a pan heater for your chickens.You can invert a ceramic flower pot or metal pan or bucket (something at least a couple of inches high) and place a 60 watt incandescent light bulb attached to an outdoor-rated electrical cord underneath the heater. An automobile "trouble" light is ideal for this purpose.

    • 4

      Plug in or turn on your water heater. Make sure the heat source is reflecting upward toward the top of the flower pot, bucket or pan.

    • 5

      Place your poultry waterer on top of the overturned flower pot, bucket or pan. Make sure it's stable before you fill it. Having the warming base wider than the waterer is ideal.

    • 6

      Attach a timer to your warmer's electrical cord if you'd like to turn it off during the day. This is helpful if your nights are below freezing but your days are above freezing.