Birds' drinking water

[Liz]

Does anyone know of a successful way to stop this from freezing?

I did buy a special liquid but it works out really expensive as you need to use quite a lot and the bird water needs changing nearly everday.
I did try a ping pong ball but this didn't work.

[NickInTheNorth]

Does anyone know of a successful way to stop this from freezing?

I did buy a special liquid but it works out really expensive as you need to use quite a lot and the bird water needs changing nearly everday.
I did try a ping pong ball but this didn't work.

I have always just used warm water, when it cools and freezes simply pour a wee bit of boiled water into it. The birds don't mind it warm, and it usually keeps it open for an hour or so.

[badger]

I was told once that boiled water didn't freeze so quickly but have no idea whether this is true. I keep a stone in the middle of my two bowls as they're a bit deep and don't want anyone falling in but it makes no difference to the freezing.

Sometimes wish they would remember it's for drinking, not bathing and (ahem) other things

[Riffman]

There is only three ways of stopping water freezing:

• Drop the freezing point temperature by adding anti-freeze
• Increase the temperature of the water above the freezing point
• Use distilled water and supercool it thus preventing it freezing

The 1 & 3 are not really practicle, so just pour a kettle of hot water in it. The ice will keep the temperature balanced.