4 chickens in light snow

Easy Ways to Keep Chicken Water from Freezing

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Easy Ways to Keep Chicken Water from Freezing

As winter approaches and temperatures drop, it’s essential to ensure your backyard chickens have access to fresh, unfrozen water. Especially if you live in the northern region like we do. Wisconsin winters are no joke and can be downright miserable.  High winds, loads of snow, and subzero temps can make it risky for your chickens.

Dehydration and frostbite are significant concerns during cold months, and a frozen water source can lead to these issues.

Regardless of whether or not you have electricity in your chicken coup or run, it is possible to keep your chicken water from freezing during cold weather.  Today I’ll share some effective methods to keep your chicken water from freezing, ensuring the well-being of your feathered friends throughout the upcoming winter weather.

7 chickens near snow and a tire

Keep Chicken Water from Freezing with Electricity

We don’t have electricity running to our chicken coop, but we do have a long, outdoor extension cord running from our house to the chicken run in the winter months. This doesn’t affect our electric bill, so if your chicken coop isn’t too far from your house or barn, this could be an option for you as well.

3 heated chicken waterers

Heated Waterers

One of the most convenient ways to prevent chicken water from freezing is by using heated waterers. These plastic waterers come in various sizes and types, including heated water fountains, heated water bowls, and heated buckets. They are designed to keep the water at a consistent temperature, preventing it from turning into an ice block.

We bought a heated waterer after our first winter with chickens, and I loved it so much, that I bought another one last winter!  I love never having to worry if my chicken’s water will freeze.

heated base and chicken waterer

Heated Base

A heated base placed beneath the water container can provide consistent warmth to prevent freezing. These pads are designed to be safe and energy-efficient, making them a viable solution for keeping chicken water unfrozen.

We used a heated base during our first winter with chickens.  This allowed us to use the same waterers year-round.  However, it was no match for our Wisconsin winters.   We can get stretches of outside temperatures reaching -25 F (-31 C). During those frigid times, the water would freeze solid, and the heated base couldn’t melt it quickly enough for our chickens to get any water.  

I would only recommend a heated base if your winters aren’t as extreme as mine.

Submersible Heater

One option for a submersible heater is a chicken waterer deicer. These are actually perfect if you use nipple waterers.  You simply submerge these in the bottom of a bucket, and it keeps the water warm.  You would just need to cut a hole in the top of your bucket to allow the cord through.

Some people have been known to use an aquarium heater for their chicken water.  Since these are not designed for outdoor use, I would advise against this route.  If it’s ever not fully submerged, it could leak and potentially shock your chickens.  

Keep Chicken Water from Freezing Without Electricity

For those who don’t have the option to run electricity or an outdoor extension cord to their coop, there is still hope!

black rubber bowl

Black Rubber Tub

When we had ducks, we used a black rubber tub to keep their water from freezing.  Unlike a metal waterer that will freeze almost immediately in cold weather, black rubber absorbs heat if left in the sun. Black rubber bowls or tubs will help to keep the water from freezing longer than if the water were in a regular tub or bowl.  

However, I do want to mention, that the water in our black rubber tub would start to freeze by the end of the day and I would have to break up a layer of ice or pour hot water in for them.  So if you live in a very cold climate, a black rubber tub or bowl may not be enough.

ping pong balls in an orange bucket

Ping Pong Balls

Ping-pong balls? Really? How in the world someone came up with this method is beyond me, but it works! I was skeptical when I heard about this, so I tested it myself. I left a bucket of water with several ping-pong balls outside overnight when the temperatures stayed in the teens. I went outside the next morning and there was only a very thin layer of ice on the top layer of the water!

Let’s look at the science behind it.  

Ping-pong balls help to prevent water from freezing by creating an insulating barrier that reduces heat loss and minimizes the effects of cold temperatures. When placed on the surface of a body of water, such as a chicken waterer, the ping pong balls create a layer of still air between them and the water.

This layer of air acts as insulation, preventing the transfer of heat from the water to the colder environment.  As a result, the water is better protected from freezing temperatures, and it takes longer for the temperature to drop to freezing levels.  Crazy!

2 old tires

Insulate the Water Container

Insulating your water container can help maintain a higher water temperature and reduce the risk of freezing. You can wrap the water container with insulating material, such as foam or reflective insulation. Just make sure to leave the top open for your chickens to access the water.

You could also use an old tire to insulate your chicken’s water to keep it from freezing. As previously mentioned, black rubber absorbs heat when it’s in the sun.  To utilize this method, simply take out the wheel and fill the empty space around the inside of the tire with material like straw or newspaper.  Then you can set a plastic bucket of water inside for the chickens to drink.  

The only drawback to this method is when the water gets low, it can be hard for the chickens to reach the water, so you will have to make sure it always stays filled to the level where they can safely reach it.

orange bucket in a sink being filled with water

Start with Warm Water

If you start with warm water, it will help to prevent the chicken’s drinking water from freezing so quickly. This simple step helps ensure that your feathered friends have access to liquid water even in cold conditions. Every week I fill up a plastic bucket with warm water and take it out to fill up their water.

Saltwater Float in chicken waterer

Add a Saltwater Float

A saltwater float is using a water bottle that is partially filled with salty water. The saltwater inside the bottle remains in liquid form due to its lower freezing point.  The salt water bottle will rise and fall with changes in water level or temperature. It’s this rising and falling action that prevents ice from forming on the surface of the water, keeping it from freezing completely.

I personally have never used this method, but I hear about people doing it quite a bit, so I wanted to at least mention it.  Just DON’T actually add salt to the chicken’s drinking water.  Doing this can harm your chickens by causing dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and even death. So if you do use this method, make sure your salt water bottle doesn’t leak.

blue sky with wispy clouds and the sun

Use Sunlight to Your Advantage

Position your water container in a location where it can receive direct sunlight during the day. Even during winter, sunlight can raise water temperatures, keeping it from freezing as quickly. Ensure your chickens can access the water source easily while maintaining proper ventilation in your chicken’s run.

Frequent Water Replacement

Check the water supply regularly and replace it with fresh, unfrozen water as needed. If you notice ice forming, break it up to allow your chickens to drink. This method may require more effort, but it’s an effective way to ensure your flock has access to fresh water.

What shouldn’t you use?

heat lamp turned on

A Heat Lamp

Heat lamps are dangerous, and they should never be used when it comes to your chickens.  They can easily ignite flammable materials like straw, wood shavings, or feathers. This poses a significant risk to the safety of your chickens and the structure itself. To learn more check out The Dangers of Using a Heath Lamp for Your Chickens.

Chickens are well adapted to handle cold temperatures, and using heat lamps can actually overheat them. Chickens have natural ways of regulating their body temperature, and excessive heat can stress them and lead to health issues.


Winter care for your backyard chickens is crucial for their health and well-being. Ensuring they have access to unfrozen fresh water is a top priority during the colder months. By using one or a combination of different methods, you can prevent chicken water from freezing, allowing your flock to stay hydrated and happy throughout the winter season. Make sure to regularly check on your chickens and their water source to ensure they are thriving in even the chilliest of conditions.

What other successful methods have you used? Let me know in the comments!

Related Posts:
Backyard Chickens 101: Essential Chicken Supplies
What Not to Feed Your Chickens
The Dangers of Using a Heat Lamp for Your Chickens

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