I'm so glad to hear that you've found a simple and affordable system for keeping your chickens' water thawed in the winter. I've been raising chickens for a few years now, and I know how important it is to make sure they have fresh, unfrozen water all year round.
I'm always looking for new and better ways to care for my chickens, so I'm definitely going to give your system a try. I'm particularly excited about how low-cost and easy to install it is. I'm also glad to hear that it has worked perfectly for you in temperatures as low as 0F. That's some impressive performance!
I'm sure that other folks in the chicken-keeping community will find your system just as helpful as I do. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience!
Here are a few additional thoughts on your system:
I like that you used a black rubber tub. Black absorbs heat more than other colors, so this will help to keep the water warmer.
The use of a heating cable is a great way to provide additional warmth to the system. However, it's important to make sure that the cable is properly insulated and that it doesn't come into direct contact with the water.
I would also recommend adding a thermostat to the system. This will allow you to control the temperature of the water and prevent it from getting too hot.
Overall, I think your system is a great way to keep your chickens' water thawed in the winter. It's simple, affordable, and effective. Thanks for sharing!
I just saw this article on heated chicken waterers and thought it might be helpful for anyone who is looking for a way to keep their chickens' water thawed in the winter:
https://chickenraising101.com/heated-chicken-waterers/
I especially liked the part about the different types of heated chicken waterers available and the tips on how to choose the right one for your flock. I hope you find it helpful too!
Thanks for sharing your wisdom!