freezing water

[wade]

I have a cow/calf in a separate pen that I have to haul water to. Of course this morning the water tub was froze over and I couldn't knock the ice out. I went and got another tub and it had a piece of left over block salt in it from swath grazing. I left the salt in there hoping that it would keep the water from freezing. Has anyone else tried this and/or are there any reasons not to leave the salt in? I will be checking shortly to see how it is/isn't working.

[per]

Wouldn't salt water dehydrate her?

[perfecho]

Personally I wouldn't leave the salt in....however, leave them get good and thirsty and then they will clean up what you bring them daily....but another day or so sounds like you won't have to worry about freezing! Good luck!

[wade]

Never thought of dehydation. Figured I came up with a solution to an old problem. Thanks for the input!

[kato]

You can buy buckets that plug in and keep themselves from freezing. They're usually used by horses, but no reason why a cow can't use it.

We have a dog water bowl that works the same, and it never freezes.