Fresh water is vital to livestock health – but how do you keep your livestock’s water from freezing during the cold winter months? Here are 7 great solutions from our community!
winter. Water for livestock freezes over this time of year! Really, is there anything worse?
Jeff and Tracy, members of The Grow Network Community, wrote to me asking for advice on how to keep livestock water from freezing.As always, great advice from our community-everything From tried and tested products to creative brainstorms! Below is a sample of some of the amazing responses The Grow Network has received. (Be sure to check out the reviews for more great ideas!)
7 Ways to Keep Your Livestock Water From Freezing
#1 – Beef Balls, wait… what?
Heidi knows a solution that has worked well for her in the past—bull ball. that’s right: Bull ball! They are the large plastic balls used to cover the surface of the tank. These balls reduce the amount of water that the surface is exposed to the cold outside. When ice does form, cows can break it by pressing down on the ball with their noses. genius!
#2 – Insulated Plastic Bucket Holder
Patrick said he has successfully used Insulated Plastic Bucket Rack。 These plastic brackets attach to the wall and have an opening at the top sized to fit a 5 gallon plastic pail. Some of them even come with food grade 5 gallon pails!
You can also enjoy:
“22 Tips to Help You Stay Warm Outside in Winter”
“Cold Weather Chicken Care: 11 Quick Ideas to Improve Chicken Comfort”
Foam insulation helps keep water from freezing!Patrick likes this solution, but says he does have some trouble when the temperature gets really cold—Below about 15F.When it’s below 15F he says he’ll use Submersible heater.
#3 – Fish Tank Heater
Lyn wrote and suggested using fish tank heater At the bottom of livestock tanks it might work. She recommends using solar power where possible, noting that cattle can be destructive, so always make sure all cables are buried or placed in metal conduit and secured to 4″ x 4″ posts. What a clever suggestion!
#4 – Create Movement
DJ suggests creating movement in your watering system would be a great way to prevent freezing. Basically, the idea is to replicate nature and create a mock stream. This idea should work in regions where nighttime troughs are not too cold.
You can also enjoy:
“40+ Natural Remedies for Colds and Flu”
“DIY Hoop House: Easy Greenhouse Alternatives”
“Top 5 Things to Consider When Building (or Buying) a Greenhouse”
Smaller pumps can also be used, or possibly a simple water wheel arrangement. There are a few products online that can do this, listed below. You can also find these products at any farm supply store, such as Tractor Supply.Typically, they are sold under the names “Water circulator.”
Protect Smaller Sinks With Innovation
Here are some great ideas from the community that seem like great solutions for those trying to protect small drinking troughs. Let’s take a closer look:
#5 – Tires
Gerry knows a trick that works well for keeping water thawed in a 5-gallon bucket. Find an old tire that fits securely around the bucket, and fill the inside of the tire with rocks. Then, place the bucket inside the tire. voila!
Put the tires and bucket outside in the sun to warm up all afternoon. The black color of the tires will absorb heat from the sun, while the rocks will help retain some of it. As night falls, the warmth of the tires and rocks helps keep the water from freezing, and the water should stay thawed until morning. Great idea, Gerry!
#6 – Olive Oil
Lyn has an idea to try— she admits While she hasn’t tried it yet, she’s sure olive oil will keep the small sink from freezing.
Since olive oil does not freeze, pouring a thin layer of oil over the water will help keep the water from freezing. Olive oil is supposed to be safe for cattle, and it could be a cheap and easy solution!
#7—Pure Innovation: Think outside the box!
Last but not least, DJ has a experimental ideas This might help with small sinks.His idea was to submerge some kind of mesh in water—Preferably something with a handle so the unit can be easily moved around to break any ice near the top.
You can also enjoy:
“Elderberry: A Natural Remedy for Colds, Flu, Inflammation…Even Cancer!”
Of course, the idea had to be done while the ice was forming. The DJ imagines something like an old ice cube tray, or perhaps black plastic for waffles. This sounds like an interesting idea…and I think it might work! This could be a million dollar product for any aspiring inventor!
doing what you think?
Well, I know there are many other ways to prevent freezing of livestock water systems that we haven’t covered here. However, feel free to leave a comment and let us know your favorite product or a proven method you use to keep livestock water from freezing!
______________________________________________________________________________________
The Grow Network is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is designed to provide a way for our team to earn fees for recommending our favorite products! If you purchase something after clicking one of our links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support of TGN!
(43,912 visits, 8 visits today)
Marjory Wildcraft is the founder of The Grow Network, a community focused on modern self-sufficient living. She has been named an expert on off-grid living by National Geographic, moderates the Mother Earth News Online Homes Summit, and has been listed in Who’s Who in America for inspiring hundreds of thousands of backyard gardens. Marjory was the focus of an article that won the Reuters Food Sustainability Media Award, and she recently wrote Growing Systems: The Essential Guide to Modern Self-Sufficient Living—From Growing Food to Medicine.
