Winter Heated Watering Suggestions

[enggass]

Looking for suggestions. I have 2 AGHs that I will have through the winter. What can you all recommend to keep water source from freezing? What are you all doing?

I use a 1gal heated water bowl for my chickens that works great, but is too small for a couple of pigs.

Thanks.

[Treewhisper]

In the 1800s-1900s farmers out in the midwest would make a big mound of manure and sink a trough into it to water cattle. The heat from the pile would keep it defrosted. I dont have pigs but i keep my chickens in a hoophouse in winter. I make a compost pile box out of pallets and sink a 5 gallon water bucket in their with 6" sticking up so they dont scratch manure into it. Keeps the water defrosted all through winter. I saw an article from Motherearth News about an insulated water trough. They might have it in their archives on their website if you do a search.

[Raeven]

If you have electric run near where you keep the pigs, you can use a standard stock tank water heater. They're not too expensive and they work well. I don't have to use mine too often, but on the rare occasions when I do, I'm very glad to have it!

Otherwise, the Motherearth News insulated solar hot water tank mentioned by Treewhisper looks like it would work well. Here's a link: Solar heated and insulated stock tank

The one referenced is for horses, but I'll bet you could modify it for your piggies. If you decide to build it, please let us know how it goes!

[enggass]

Thanks - where can I find a standard stock tank water heater - like you use?

[highlands]

We're in the mountains of northern Vermont so a similar climate to where you probably are in Maine.

We have running spring water which use 1" black plastic pipe to go from one trough to another down the side of the mountain. By having the troughs in series it requires little water to flow. Put the troughs in a slight greenhouse or den and it provides a warmer microclimate. Sink a 65 gallon barrel deep in the ground to make the trough and it gets earth heat.

I would love to heat the water, the pigs and chickens will drink more if it is warm, but it is not practical to do. I've come up with all sorts of schemes for solar heating it but not yet found perfection.

If you can't having a running spring then I would hand carry the water or use a hose to feed their water trough. I would suggest minimizing the use of electricity, pumps and auto-valves. These are all too failure prone in our harsh winters. I do have heat tape wrapped on the valves of our big whey tanks inside an insulating sleeve but even with that they can freeze up in the worst weather. Beware that in very cold weather valves and handles break easily. See:

site:sugarmtnfarm.com winter water - Google Search

site:sugarmtnfarm.com heat tape - Google Search

I would also recommend having two, count them two (2), sources of water and checking them twice a day ideally.

Cheers,

-Walter Jeffries
Sugar Mountain Farm
Pastured Pigs, Sheep & Kids
in the mountains of Vermont
Sugar Mountain Farm | All Natural Pastured Pigs, Poultry, Sheep, Dogs and Kids in the mountains of Vermont

[tailwagging]

Originally Posted by Raeven

If you have electric run near where you keep the pigs, you can use a standard stock tank water heater. They're not too expensive and they work well. I don't have to use mine too often, but on the rare occasions when I do, I'm very glad to have it!

Otherwise, the Motherearth News insulated solar hot water tank mentioned by Treewhisper looks like it would work well. Here's a link: Solar heated and insulated stock tank

The one referenced is for horses, but I'll bet you could modify it for your piggies. If you decide to build it, please let us know how it goes!

Thank you for posting this!

[Kristinjo]

We use a 55 gallon plastic drum with water nipples. When winter comes, we throw a stock tank heater in it. When the temp hits 30+ below, there may be a thin layer of ice but breaks easily. This has worked well for us. Thought about making an insulated box to slip over it for the winter that allows access to the nipples. Would help keep the heat in. I just need to figure out something that won't become a toy/treat for the pigs.

[enggass]

Thanks. Where is a good place to look for a 55 gallon plastic drum?

[Kristinjo]

I've found mine on Craigslist but some pop distributors have 35 gallon and 55 gallon sizes. The food grade ones with the locking ring are great because you don't have to saw the top off...they are a bit more expensive though.

Use a drill bit just a smidgen smaller than the nipple, use some pipe tape around the threads on the nipple and screw into lower part of plastic drum. The plastic is thick enough where it will self thread and the tape prevents leaking. Easy peasy...and cheap!