Watering in Freezing Weather

[Teallaura]

Try not to laugh too hard. We are expecting freezing weather all week with only a few hours on a few days getting above freezing. This is very unusual for Alabama and I've never had to deal with it before. Any suggestions for keeping water available during the day? At night I can add hot water before bringing the dogs in and ditto morning but I'm concerned about the day when I'm not home. The temps just aren't high enough to melt the stuff especially not in the shaded kennel.

No, I don't have a warming bowl and can't get one - this is Alabama. Water cooling bowls, yes; warming, no.

:help:

[Alcoth]

First, Hot water freezes faster than non. (http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/General/hot_water.html)

How long are you at work during the day? Do you have a way to keep the water out of the biting, colder wind? That may help.

Also, depending on how long it has been cold, you may dig a hole (to put the bowl in) if the ground is still somewhat warm.

[Crow]

Add a couple of ml of glycerine to the water.

[mossrose]

I have an electric trough-heating element in the birdbath, set on a timer. Got it at the local UFA (farm store).

Is there something like that you could get for the dog's water? The element goes right in the water and apparently is safe and doesn't electrocute anybody.

:nsm:

[eudyptes]

if you have a way of keeping the water moving (trickle out of a faucet?) it freezes slower....it may still freeze, depending on time and temp....and could waste water depending on what you have....

...and on a side note, since you're not used to those types of temps...make sure your internal water pipes are in heated areas (not crawlspaces and such...) if not trickle water out of your internal faucets.....keeps your pipes from freezing

[Teallaura]

Thanks, guys.

Shadow: I know it freezes faster but it's the only way to give them something to drink before coming in for the night. It's also the only way to thaw out the bowl for them in the morning. I can't use the hose and I'm having to carry from the house.

Burying isn't an option - the kennels have concrete floors and they have to stay in kennel because the fence isn't good enough to handle them given all day to work on it and no one to watch them.

Crow: How much per gallon?

Mossy: Honey, I could but I'd have to order it - the few places that carry that kind of thing in stock are for livestock - and I very much doubt I could find it anyway. It's rare for water to freeze solid here or for it to stay so cold that the water can't melt during the day so no one carries severe cold weather stuff. That includes snow shovels and tire chains - I've never even seen sidewalk salt - we just don't usually need it.

[Teallaura]

if you have a way of keeping the water moving (trickle out of a faucet?) it freezes slower....it may still freeze, depending on time and temp....and could waste water depending on what you have....

...and on a side note, since you're not used to those types of temps...make sure your internal water pipes are in heated areas (not crawlspaces and such...) if not trickle water out of your internal faucets.....keeps your pipes from freezing

I can't - it would only serve one dog if I use the hose. That pipe is insulated but the hose is frozen solid anyway. I'm not sure if I could find a three way valve for a hose - don't recall ever seeing one.

Thanks - that much I did know (Daddy taught me! :smug:) The pipes are okay so far - they are under the foundation. But I plan to drip them tonight just in case. I'm not positive about part of the house. My doctor showed up unshaven yesterday because his pipes had frozen.

I came home sick so I can manage today, but they don't know how long this is going to last. The weatherman called it 'historic' - how come 'historic' weather is always bad weather? :hmph:

[mossrose]

Mossy: Honey, I could but I'd have to order it - the few places that carry that kind of thing in stock are for livestock - and I very much doubt I could find it anyway. It's rare for water to freeze solid here or for it to stay so cold that the water can't melt during the day so no one carries severe cold weather stuff. That includes snow shovels and tire chains - I've never even seen sidewalk salt - we just don't usually need it

I figured. It's hard for ME to imagine not being able to find that stuff. Just throwing ideas out. :huggy:

The heater I use is for livestock, btw. But it's for a smaller trough, or largish bucket, I guess. Not a huge one for a big trough. It fits in my birdbath.

[Crow]

Teal--

Only takes a few drops per gallon. It won't work in subzero weather, but you're not likely to have that in Alabama. It makes the freeze point of water a few degrees higher, which should be adequate for your purposes.

Even if the water freezes, it's going to take a few hours for it to do that, particularly if it's in a large bucket. So at most even if you do nothing your dogs would not be without water more than a few hours. It ain't ideal, but it's no worse than if they knocked it over after you left.

[QuantaFille]

The weatherman called it 'historic' - how come 'historic' weather is always bad weather? :hmph:

There's that pesky global warming for you...

[Alcoth]

how come 'historic' weather is always bad weather? :hmph:

Whatever happens today, tomorrow it will REALLY be :tongue:

[Teallaura]

Thanks, guys.