Jason said:
If you are running a water line, power isn't a big deal.
I can use a lot of electricity for the extra $1000 per waterer.
I use 150 watt oil pan heaters in my waterers.
Even if they ran 24 hours a day 30 days a month for a full 6 months, that's 648 kwh. At the current cost of $.06 / kwh that's $38.88
Interest on the $1000 is $60 a year if you borrow at prime.
Ok, I don't get it
Why not put in a good underground drain, let a little water run over. It cost lots less than electric heaters to run, don't need to fool with power lines, always have at least a open hole for cattle to drink. I guess I am lazy, but chopping ice is not my idea of a good way to spend my time and I believe cattle do much better if they always have ice free water to drink from.
100 feet of perforated drain tile cost abt $40. It does require the use of a backhoe (on a nice summer day) (if you neglected to put it in the same trench as the water line)
I admit that here in the northern sand hills of Nebraska, we seldom get many days below -20, but wouldn't this work as well in colder areas? I know it don't take much water running to work much better than 150 watt heaters, or for that matter 1500 watt heaters. Are you in a area where the ground would not soak up enough water? If so, you might find a area down hill from the waterer, bring the end of the drain back to ground level, and fence off and cover a big enough area with junk hay deep enough and big enough to keep it from freezing solid and the water will find a way to get out. (large hay stack)