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We had a good run ... our Pairodox Family had been heavily involved with our local 4-H program from 1996 - 2007.

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Farm Art

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Water Wisdom: Keeping water LIQUID
Although central Pennsylvania may not offer the most extreme environments in North America it can present the livestock farmer a challenge as regards keeping water liquid during the coldest months of the year. Whether you classify our area as belonging to Hardiness Zone 6a (-5°F to -10°F) or 5b (-10°F to -15°F) suffice it to say that we spend a large part of the time between December and April below 32°F. Therefore, something has to be done about the inevitably of solid water.      Before we were able to provide our barns and pastures with buried electric and waterlines we spent a lot of time hauling water and breaking ice. We did have a single frost-free hydrant in the barn and this was much appreciated. [Except on one memorable occasion when the hydrant froze and we hauled water (hand-over-hand) from a dug well using a rope and bucket.] Several years ago we trenched electric and waterlines to five strategic locations adjacent to barns and pastures.      To allow water to remain liquid, and available to our animals throughout the year, we have had much experience with bucket and tank heaters of the sort which are commonly available from a variety of Agricultural, Livestock, and Veterinary suppliers. Before discussing the particulars of heaters that have worked well for us look at the figure and descriptions below to learn how a frost-free water hydrant works.
The drawing on the left shows a frost-free hydrant in the ON position. The control rod is connected to a plunger and, in the open position, the latter is not sitting on the valve seat which is connected to the water supply line. The water is therefore free to flow into the riser pipe. When the faucet handle is CLOSED however this action drives the plunger onto the valve seat to stop the water flow. The riser pipe has, just above the valve seat, a hole which allows water to drain from the riser pipe when the flow is stopped. Water therefore may drain to a point below the frost line to prevent freezing in the riser pipe. These faucets aren't foolproof however and we've had them freeze. To prevent this one has to be careful to keep them properly adjusted. [This image may be found in its original form at the website of The Indiana State Department of Health.]
Here is what one of our water installations looks like. When we trenched the water and electric lines we set treated posts right next to the hydrants. These serve a dual purpose; first, they gave us something to which we could attach a weatherproof duplex and second, they provided protection for both the hydrant and the electric supply from big (destructive) animals. Having said that, note that the (plastic) weatherproof box which protects the duplex is, itself, protected by a piece of stout hog panel.      Once you've seen to it that your water supply remains fluid you have to do something to keep it so in buckets, barrels, and in water troughs. This may be done in one of two ways. By periodically removing ice from reservoirs, or by installing electric heaters. Because we felt that it was important that our animals have access to fresh water at all times we chose to bury electric lines when we trenched our pastures to install water supply lines. We have had experience with a number of utility heaters. We have found the ones we show here to have been particularly satisfactory. Without regard to which heater you chose it is important to remember to check all heaters daily to be sure that they are working properly and that they do not develop short circuits (which can be hazardous to all animals, including you).
(A) We use this 250 watt heater extensively. It is manufactured by Farm Innovators. The unit produces enough heat to keep a 5 gallon bucket free of ice at the lowest temperatures we normally experience. It won't do well in volumes much beyond 10 or 20 gallons. (B) This unit, also available from Farm Innovators, is one which is intended to fit the drain hole of Rubbermaid®stock tanks. It is rated at 1500 watts and we use it to keep 50 and 100 gallon tanks ice-free to -15°F. (C) We construct hog watering units from 15-55 gallon (recycled) plastic drums. We use this particular heating unit for this application because of the triangular fins which allow the element to sit above the bottom of the barrel. Like the other units described here this one is also available from Farm Innovators.
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