Ah yes, here it is...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a05MZp7W4A
Frozen water
Okay forget the battery idea, would need way too many. I did a search about the microwavable heating pads. One person had a great idea. Use the ziplock freezer bags (microwavable ones) and add your filling (rice, beans, etc or whatever you have) and heat for 1 to 3 minutes in microwave (keep an eye on it. If you were to make like a tray that these would sit in and then sit the waterer on them and place something (like styrofoam or not sure, just thinking out loud here, perhaps this would keep the water from freezing as quickly. What about the old fashion heating pads of yester-year. I remember my parents had one, made out of rubber and they either filled it with VERY hot water or they put ice in it sometimes. They must still sell those as well.
Seems like the beans would cool too fast -- just speaking from experience of using those heat pads with beans or something in them. What about a brick out of a fireplace that was surrounded by something that they chickens couldn't get to?
Be very careful with styrofoam.....we had our chickens peck like crazy at it under their coop - had to cover it up with plywood. Not sure what attracts them to it, but - boy they love it!
So far, I've had frozen water every morning since I first posted. I've just been thawing it out and refilling it with not warm, but not cold water. Then I do the same thing in the morning (yesterday, I actually changed the water again in the afternoon, but didn't really need to).
The reality is that I don't think they will be drinking much in the middle of the night, and as long as I change it out in the morning, it should be ok.
My husband is going nuts about this, but - another reality is that they are birds, and most birds don't live in a lovely insulated coop with lights. Not that I don't want the girls to be absolutely comfortable, but I also don't want to produce an environment that doesn't make sense. I wonder if we are over thinking this. ?????
Teresa,
I think your solution is just fine. The Lazy part of me groans at the idea of having to change the water twice daily though - in the cold to boot! ;-) I'm glad we don't get a lot of cold over here. Just rain, rain, dreary rain.