winter watering

No outlet for your coop? Here's how to beat frozen water buckets

Oh, the eternal struggle of keeping water from turning into a chicken-sized ice cube. I feel this deep in my bones, and my frozen fingers. You've got a five-gallon bucket, a run with no power, and every tank deicer on the market apparently hates extension cords. It's enough to make you want to chickening out of winter altogether. Here's the thing: you don't need an outlet to outsmart Old Man Winter. Insulated bucket cozies are a cluck-tastic start. Burying the bucket in straw or using a black tub to soak up sun can also buy you precious hours. And if you're feeling fowl-play resourceful, a floating water bottle filled with salt water lowers the freezing point just enough.