BenBhoy Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 hello guys. it's approaching that time of year again where my biggest problem is stopping water troughs and supply pipes freezing up. last year was bad, but i hear this year going to be worse. wondering if anyone has any tips that really work? cant put any harmful chemical or salt in water as it is for sheep to drink. have tried floating balls in there and adding sugar, none are that effective. thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 I suppose anti-freeze is out of the question then? Probably not much you can do except get out there with a pickaxe when it gets really bad. I remember doing that on my dad's farm when tennis balls didn't work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenBhoy Posted October 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 yeah afraid it was ice bashing pretty much constant last couple years. clearing it at 5am, but then re froze by 1030! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 If you can site the troughs to get the most daytime sunshine that might make a few degrees difference but in the dead of winter it won't be enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Paulie Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 http://www.wickes.co.uk/incoloy-immersion-heater/invt/159847/ That ought to sort you right out...... On a serious note, do the troughs fill automatically using a ball valve or similar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
four-wheel-drive Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 You could always put some vodka in the water you would have some happy sheep as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenBhoy Posted October 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 (edited) yes mate ball float valve, same kinda set up as in toilet cistern 4wd - majority of them will be pregnant (fingers crossed)!! Edited October 14, 2011 by BenBhoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Paulie Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 Ok, just set the ball valve to flow very gently throughout the day. Its a bit wasteful, but the water coming out of it will never drop below 5 degress C. That ought to be enough to keep your water from freezing up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenBhoy Posted October 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 thats a good idea, i'll give it a go. just gotta hope insulation on the inlet pipe is enough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
four-wheel-drive Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 just found some interesting ideas here people in US and Canada http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071205204424AA2g8uD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.I.A Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 I had the same problem last year it was a blooming nightmare. I will try the above method Anyone got any more advice on this matter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyska Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 Ben, I have the same problme too, do you remove the ide after you've broken it? I found just by doing that it didn't refreeze anywhere near as quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenBhoy Posted October 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 (edited) yes Rich, have taken the ice out last couple of years. was talking to an old farmer, and he said (no good for me though) if you have housed cattle or equines then dig a pit under the water trough and make a manure pile under it, the heat generated from that will help. Edited October 14, 2011 by BenBhoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobby63 Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 Ive got a Koi pond in the garden and over the years ive notice that when the winds up blowing cold air over the water it freezes so by placing garden wind break around the pond all freezing stopped ! so if you could place a wind break material around three side of the trough a possible problem might be solved for you ? give it a go as the cost to do 1 is minamal and think of the wind direction so as the wind break works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Paulie Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 Ben Bhoy, As I stated, the pipe itself shouldn't freeze if you keep the water moving. The water never goes below 5 degress, so should never freeze until it hits the air ouside. If you go for say a litre a minute of flow, then you ought to be ok.... P Should point out I work for the water board, that's why I know this ****.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 If you have a electric supply you could try a pond heater that just floats in the trough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 Canadian cousin of my wifes is a rancher in Northern Alberta. He dynamites the drink holes every day at noon. Should be OK in Wales I'd have thought... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan-250 Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 Could you not get a little pond pump that will run off a tractor battery or simething. Keep the water in the trough moving, should last a few days just steady. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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