Light Boxes for the birds...

It's not what you think. 

At least I don't think it's what you think.  I think.

I had a problem.  The chickens' water kept freezing - pretty much in minutes.  I looked at the local farm stores for water-warming devices of all kinds, some of which were a perfect match for the water can that I have, but the average dog dish starts between $25 and $30, while the ones for the poultry can be up to $70.  I had exactly $7.00 cash.

I had read about a possible solution.  I may have created a much larger problem.  But some rigorous testing should "prove" it out...  ...at least the fire hazard part.  A standard incandescent light bulb gives off a bit of heat - due to inefficincies - so the hope is that a small enclosure (with ventilation) will contain enough of the heat to keep a water can ice free.

Porcelain base: less than $3

Junction Box (is that what you call that?): 54 cents

Wire Nuts - assorted: $1.74

Old, short (repaired), extension cord; and leftover 3/4" sheathing:  Priceless

(I save way too much stuff - but every now and then it pays off.)

It features vent holes on the sides - top and bottom to allow convection to do the venting work.  The top cover is vented to hopefully allow access of warm air to the watering can.  The holes in the top are strategically located to prevent water spillage on the fixture (which is in turn mounted to the juction box).

I plan to install a 100W incandescent and plug it in for about a week - if we are lucky, then we will get some nifty pictures of a bunch of charcoal, a puddles of metal and a porcelain bulb fixture...  ...this will be a long way away from anything important like chicken or  people houses. 

If it goes a little better, then I will put in a 40W bulb for use on those single digit nights in the chicken house.