During cold weather, animal water intake tends to decrease, but it's still crucial to ensure they have access to fresh, flowing water. Here are some tips to make providing water easier and more efficient during winter months.
Insulation: To prevent water from freezing quickly, keep water sources off the cold ground. Placing straw, bedding, or other insulating materials underneath and around the water trough can help maintain warmth.
Trough Covering: For larger troughs, consider covering part of the trough with something like plywood. Simply attach these with clamps to create a barrier against the cold.
Two-Trough System: You can use two troughs—one inside the other. Place the larger trough first, then insert a smaller one inside it. Fill the gap between the two with insulating material such as straw or foam to retain heat.
Sunlight: If possible, move water troughs to a sunny location. Sunlight can warm metal and plastic, helping to prevent freezing.
Floating Devices: Moving water freezes slower, so some farmers place floats in their troughs. Cattle and goats can move these floats to access the water. A simple ball, like a basketball or soccer ball, works for smaller troughs.
Chickens and Ducks: Chickens generally require less water in winter, so bringing them warm water is usually sufficient.
Ducks and geese, however, should not have access to free-standing water when temperatures are below freezing, as they may use it for bathing, potentially leading to injury. They can eat fresh, unpacked snow as a water source.