[Jacob-list] Re: Jacob-list digest, Vol 1 #190 - 1 msg

[newportnaturals]

We use those heated buckets (4 gallons) for our sheep (8) and for our alpacas and have used them for several years. I'm trying to figure out a way to use these for the chickens and ducks, too.  Absolutely no problems, but we are careful to make sure the electrical cord is placed so it is not accessible to curious mouths.  The cord does have a wire protective cage over it.  We've had 20 plus below zero for several weeks at a time with no bucket freezing.  Now if we didn't have to carry the water 25 feet from the frost-free hydrant, chores would be a bit easier.  The next barn improvement will be adding a frost-free hydrant inside the barn.  Robert and Linda, Jacob sheep lovers who are making due with several Jacob/Icelandic crosses and other sheep breeds for our personal spinning flock in Northeast Washington state where the sun was shining on our two feet of snow off and on all day today.---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: jacob-list-request at jacobsheep.com
Reply-To: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
Date: Wed, 27 Dec 2000 12:02:32 -0500 (EST)

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>   1. (no subject) (stonecroft235 at juno.com)
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>Message: 1
>To: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
>Date: Wed, 27 Dec 2000 10:04:38 -0500
>From: stonecroft235 at juno.com
>Subject: [Jacob-list] (no subject)
>
>Help - I need advice.  Any ideas on ways to keep buckets from freezing? 
>It's been below freezing here in PA for weeks and stomping on rubber
>buckets to break out the ice is wearing me out!!  :-)   Yesterday I
>bought a birdbath de-icer to try in one of the buckets (we are a small
>operation and use only buckets, not stock tanks) with the pygmy goats. 
>This a.m. my goatie friends were very, VERY unhappy with me.....and
>acting very thirsty.  They apparently did not drink from the bucket with
>the de-icer in it and I discovered when they put their noses in to drink
>they appeared to be getting hurt - obviously a stray voltage
>problem.....and they left me know I would be getting a lump of coal in my
>stocking next year!!!   Have any of you tried the heated buckets - I have
>a KV equine catalogue that sells a 5 gallon, heated bucket for $34.95. 
>Do these things work, or will I again have a stray voltage problem?  Is
>there a cheaper source for them?  I know that dairy farmers here many
>times have a REAL problem in their milking parlors and loafing sheds with
>stray voltage - and it really affects milk production.  These animals can
>feel an electrical "tingle" that we cannot and on a sensitive nose it
>apparently isn't very pleasant.....there is absolutely no shock to me
>when I put my hand in the bucket of water.   Also, I am not looking to
>spend mega bucks on this - I know the Nelson waterers are very nice but
>too pricey for our animal hobby budget....if pricey is the only option I
>will probably continue to stomp!!   Any ideas would be
>appreciated....Thank You!
>
>P.S.  Hope you all are having wonderful holidays with family and friends!
>
>Sue Martin
>Stonecroft
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