Water for birds

I know what you mean, even though we use warm water to replenish our birdbath, its been freezing over again  very quickly.  However, we did notice that the garden birds seem to peck at the snow for a beakful of water so perhaps they manage as regards drinking, its just the bathing bit that's a problem. We were told once that if you put a large stone in the middle, it helps to stop the ice forming but this does not seem to work in extreme conditions.

cynthia c said:

We all recognise that water is essential for birds,  How on earth, in these freezing conditions are we to provide it.  No sooner than I defrost the birdbath, it's frozen again...suggestions please.

Hi Jenny Wren, Welome to the forum.

It can be difficult to stop a bird bath from freezing, but try using any of the following methods:

• A metal container placed on three or four bricks with a night light underneath, sheltering it from the wind with further bricks. 
• A thermostatically controlled immersion heater, or a light bulb inside a tiling pipe on which the dish is resting, but they must be fitted with suitable external wiring. 
• A light ball, placed in the water, which will be moved by even a gentle breeze and will keep just a small amount of water ice free, even in fairly severe conditions. 
• Line the bath with a polythene sheet that you can lift out along with the ice.
• Pour on hot water to melt the ice. 
• The ultimate is the Solar Sipper, a bird bath that uses solar energy to prevent the water from freezing.

Avoid chemicals 

On no account should any chemical, such as glycerine, anti-freeze or salt, be added to the water, as it could destroy the insulating and waterproofing properties of birds' feathers and even prove toxic. 

Hope this helps Buzzard

i poored some hot water over my frozen water feeder/bath to day they came down fro a small drink but soon froze over again as you said

I've also read about places small sticks in the bird bath as this keeps the water moving a little.

Have to say I'm struggling somewhat with the water too, the bird bath is metal and its frozen solid, I was out there with the kettle and the trowel trying to get the ice out but had no such look.  I'm afraid the birds had to make do with what little water was on top *sigh*

Thank you very much for your replies, what a friendly site.  I have tried 'the ball in the water' trick, to no avail.  We live on a mountain top and temperatures near The Brecons are -15 some nights, the ball froze too.  So I will just have to keep on with the hot water.  Lining with polythene was a good tip.  Will try that one.

Thanks

Jen Lews xx

Hi Jen

We have a large plastic pedestal birdbath. My birds have never used that for bathing but they do drink from it. Removing a solid block of ice from it 2 or 3 times daily is hard work - especially when it has been permanently frozen since the 17th December.

So I have left it frozen. All I do is sweep off any fresh snowfall each morning (as and when necessary) and put either cardboard or newspaper on the ice to give a warmer surface for the birds to stand on. Onto that goes a smaller birdbath and a small water bowl. I also scatter a small amount of food on it (that's in addition to all the feeders and tables from which they can eat). If the water in the bowls freezes during the day I have spare bowls that I can put out. Each night, the bowls come in and newspaper is thrown away. Next morning, I do it all over again.

This is so much easier than trying to dispose of a massive block of ice each day and so much quicker.

I agree - we save the plastic cartons from our occasional take-aways and simply fill with water and put out daily, bringing the old one in.

cynthia c said:

We all recognise that water is essential for birds,  How on earth, in these freezing conditions are we to provide it.  No sooner than I defrost the birdbath, it's frozen again...suggestions please.

A small water feature with running water will do the trick

A water feature, with running water?  We have mountain springs running over and under our property.  For the first time in thirty years, they have all frozen,

This was taken just before Christmas, but nothing has changed!