The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: pigsatlesrues on December 30, 2008, 08:14:21 am

Title: How to stop water freezing
Post by: pigsatlesrues on December 30, 2008, 08:14:21 am

There is a thread  running on one of the French Forums regarding ideas on how to stop water freezing for the livestock.

With the wealth of knowledge on here I thought you might like to take up the challenge?

Our problem particularly is the rabbits' water.  We have bowls which freeze over in no time.  I seem to remeber a tip from years ago about glycerene in their water?  Have I dreamt that on or does it work.  If so I will go out and buy some.

We have tyre around the water buckets for the pigs, but that seems to make no difference at all.

The buckets in the bird houses however do not freeze so we are ok on that one.

Kate  :pig: :-\

Title: Re: How to stop water freezing
Post by: Fluffywelshsheep on December 30, 2008, 06:36:31 pm

A tennis ball in the larger water container

Title: Re: How to stop water freezing
Post by: doganjo on December 30, 2008, 08:33:43 pm

Yes, but the ball gets stuck and they still can't get water.

Polystyrene under the bowl and around if possible - use warm water not cold - they don't mind.  I have a wine making hedating pad too but since I have no electricity to teh chicken sheds i can't uses it ay present and wouldn't put it in with the dogs.  Also a heated microwaveable heating pad under the bowl works for a time too.
Annie.

Title: Re: How to stop water freezing
Post by: Andrew on December 31, 2008, 09:49:07 am

Move to the Bahamas

Title: Re: How to stop water freezing
Post by: hexhammeasure on December 31, 2008, 01:45:14 pm

move water bowls into a shed or hut and hang a storm lantern above (away from livestock and combustable items)

Title: Re: How to stop water freezing
Post by: garden cottage on January 03, 2009, 11:32:40 pm

evening all, well after a little searching  sugar added to water is being used by many to stop freezing also for rabbit drinkers some mention of adding olive oil or sunflower. anyway Im gonna try the sugar will let you know the results...................neil

Title: Re: How to stop water freezing
Post by: Tina Turkey on January 04, 2009, 10:06:02 am

Any idea of the ratio to water needed?  We heard molasses was good for sheep in the water to prevent freezing and its also good for them too.

Title: Re: How to stop water freezing
Post by: johnmac on January 04, 2009, 08:04:36 pm

add salt!!??!!  ::)  ???  ;D  :-\ oops sorry!

As someone who has been in fish faming more than i can remember..... i'm afraid it's a question to which there is not really an answer!

If you can get the water under cover and off the ground it may help, tennis balls and apples don't work. If it's a small amount of water then dropping one or two glass irn bru bottles filled with boiling water in can act as a hot water bottle staving off the water freezing..if its a plastic drinker on the side of a cage, wrap a sock over it and try tucking a rechargable gel hand warmer inside the sock next to the bottle (or under the bowl) They are cheap to buy...about £5 for two... and they heat for about eight hours, once chilled simply boil in a saucepan for ten minutes to use them again...they work for years!!

Good luck!  ;)

Title: Re: How to stop water freezing
Post by: Castle Farm on January 05, 2009, 05:29:15 pm

When I was a lad our water troughs were raised up on blocks around 3 sides with a pit under each which was packed with fresh manure.The heat generated by the stuff was enough to keep the water from freezing over..It needed forking out and forking back in again to keep it heating.
Same principle as a hot bed system in cold frames and greenhouses of old.

Title: Re: How to stop water freezing
Post by: Micki on January 06, 2009, 08:27:33 pm

Someone on another forum i go on say that sugar in the water stops it from freezing, don't know if it works or not though.