Would it work to put a birdbath deicer in a 3-5 gallon plastic water bucket for goats? Would it melt the bucket or even be powerful enough to work? Just wondering cause they are alot cheaper than the heated water buckets. The difference is between $7 and $36.
birdbath deicer for goat bucket?
- Thread starter Ariel72
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Roll farms
Spot Master
Honestly, for one goat.....I'd just take hot water down am and pm (when I fed) on days the bucket will be frozen and not bother w/ a heated bucket.
They do the majority of their drinking right after they eat. If you pour hot water on it in the am, she'll have thawed water then, do it again in the PM.
Or just knock the ice out of the bucket and give her 'warm' water 2x a day.
Or do a 'bucket swap'....take a thawed bucket down in the morning, take the frozen bucket w/ you to the house to thaw and swap every meal.
We had to do that for our bucks the last 3 yrs on the really cold days since there has been no electricity in their pen.
TSC has a 2.5 g bucket (plenty big enough for a Nigerian) for 29.99, if you ever get their coupons (20% off one item, or 15% off entire purchase, etc) you could save even more.
Or maybe see if they mark them down any at the end of the season.
They do the majority of their drinking right after they eat. If you pour hot water on it in the am, she'll have thawed water then, do it again in the PM.
Or just knock the ice out of the bucket and give her 'warm' water 2x a day.
Or do a 'bucket swap'....take a thawed bucket down in the morning, take the frozen bucket w/ you to the house to thaw and swap every meal.
We had to do that for our bucks the last 3 yrs on the really cold days since there has been no electricity in their pen.
TSC has a 2.5 g bucket (plenty big enough for a Nigerian) for 29.99, if you ever get their coupons (20% off one item, or 15% off entire purchase, etc) you could save even more.
Or maybe see if they mark them down any at the end of the season.
Squirrelgirl88
Loving the herd life
I bought a large heated dog bowl at Walmart. Much cheaper than the "livestock" ones at TSC.
ksalvagno
Alpaca Master
I use bird bath deicers in my 5 gallon water buckets. Used them for years. Work great.
I just noticed your price. I'm not sure if a $7 one would work. Mine were in the $20 or $30 range (bought them long time ago). If you have a Nigerian, then the 2 gallon heated water buckets are better so they can get all the way down. If full size, then the 5 gallon is fine. I would be very careful about buying a cheap heater. You don't want a fire to start.
Some things are not worth buying cheap.
I just noticed your price. I'm not sure if a $7 one would work. Mine were in the $20 or $30 range (bought them long time ago). If you have a Nigerian, then the 2 gallon heated water buckets are better so they can get all the way down. If full size, then the 5 gallon is fine. I would be very careful about buying a cheap heater. You don't want a fire to start.
Some things are not worth buying cheap.
elevan
Critter Addict ♥
Indeed. Barn fires are pretty devastating in more ways than one. Just saw a barn fire on the news in my county this morning.ksalvagno said:
PJisaMom
Loving the herd life
I got the small heated bucket... for my 4 nigis, 2 Alpines, and dog to share. I fill it once a day, but have never run out (they are locked in at night and this is all the water they have... during the day, they have access to share the horse's 5g heated bucket). It's really a great set-up for me, and while I debated the bucket cost, too, but this has really made my life a lot easier than last winter. Carrying a full five gallon bucket back and forth from the house isn't fun! Good luck!
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