6 Best Portable Livestock Troughs For Freezing Temperatures Old Timers Trust
Keep water flowing this winter. We review 6 durable, portable livestock troughs trusted by seasoned ranchers to withstand freezing temperatures.
There’s a special kind of dread that sets in when you hear the weather forecast call for a hard freeze and you haven’t sorted out your winter water situation. It’s a feeling every livestock owner knows well, because hauling buckets and breaking ice in the dark is a chore that grinds you down faster than anything else. Keeping your animals properly hydrated through the winter isn’t just a convenience—it’s a cornerstone of good husbandry that directly impacts their health and your sanity.
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Why Winter Water Troughs Are a Farmer’s Lifeline
Dehydration is a bigger threat in winter than in summer. Animals burn more calories just to stay warm, and their diet shifts to dry forage like hay, which requires significant water for proper digestion. Thirsty animals won’t eat, and animals that don’t eat can’t stay warm.
The daily ritual of breaking ice is a trap. It seems manageable at first, but after two weeks of swinging an axe before your morning coffee, you realize how much time and energy it consumes. A frozen trough means your animals can’t drink when they need to, creating a cycle of stress that can weaken their immune systems right when they need them most.
A reliable, heated water source solves this problem completely. It ensures your livestock have constant access to drinkable water, which supports digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall health. Think of it less as a luxury and more as a fundamental tool for responsible animal care during the toughest season of the year.
API 16-Gallon Heated Bucket for Small Livestock
For anyone with just a few goats, sheep, or a horse in a stall, the heated bucket is a game-changer. It’s the definition of a plug-and-play solution. There’s no assembly and no separate parts to manage; you just fill it up and plug it into a GFI-protected outlet.
The best feature is the internal thermostat. The heating element only kicks on when the water temperature drops near freezing, which keeps your electric bill from skyrocketing. Its 16-gallon size is also manageable, making it easy to dump, scrub, and refill without throwing your back out.
Of course, it has its limits. This isn’t the right tool for a herd of cattle or even a large flock of sheep. The primary concern is the power cord. You must place the bucket strategically and protect the cord so curious animals can’t chew on it. A simple PVC pipe sleeve can often do the trick.
Behlen Country 25-Gallon Heated Poly Trough
When a 16-gallon bucket is too small, the 25-gallon heated trough is a logical next step. It’s a self-contained unit that can comfortably water a small herd of beef calves, a decent-sized flock of sheep, or a couple of horses in a paddock. It hits a sweet spot between capacity and manageability.
The design is smart and safe. The heating element is fully enclosed within the trough’s base, away from animals. Many models also feature double-wall construction, which adds a bit of insulation and helps the heater work more efficiently. It’s a sturdy, purpose-built piece of equipment.
The main tradeoff is its semi-permanent nature. While you can move it, it’s bulkier than a bucket and best suited for a location where it will stay all winter. Like any heated unit, it requires a safe, protected electrical connection. Over many years of brutal sun and cold, the poly material can eventually become brittle, but its service life is impressive.
Farm Innovators Drain Plug De-Icer for Any Tank
Sometimes, the best solution is an upgrade to what you already own. If you have a metal or structural foam stock tank that you love, a drain plug de-icer lets you winterize it without buying a whole new trough. This is one of the most versatile and cost-effective options available.
This device replaces your tank’s standard drain plug. The heating element sits inside the tank, warming the water from the bottom, while the power cord runs out through the drain hole. This method is generally more efficient than a floating de-icer, as less heat is lost to the cold air at the surface.
The biggest pro is flexibility—you get to use the tough, reliable tank you already trust. The con is the installation. You have to get it right to prevent leaks, which can mean draining and tipping a heavy tank. It also only works with tanks that have a drain plug, so it’s not a universal solution.
High Country Plastics HT-20 Heated Water Tub
This is the high-efficiency model for farmers who watch their electric meter closely. The High Country HT-20 is a 20-gallon tub, but its real selling point is the thick, insulated wall. It’s designed from the ground up to retain heat.
That insulation makes a huge difference. The internal heater runs far less often than in an uninsulated tank, saving a surprising amount of money over a four-month winter. The build quality is exceptional, and it’s tough enough to handle pushy livestock without issue.
The upfront cost is higher than other options, so you’re making an investment in long-term savings. It’s also quite heavy and bulky due to the insulation, so "portable" is a relative term. But if you want a durable, energy-efficient system you can set and forget, this is a top contender.
The Classic Rubbermaid Tank with Sinking De-Icer
You can’t go wrong with the classics. A Rubbermaid structural foam stock tank paired with a quality sinking de-icer is perhaps the most common setup on small farms, and for good reason. It’s a modular, durable, and highly effective combination.
The Rubbermaid tank is the key. It’s made of a material that stays flexible in freezing temperatures, so it won’t crack like rigid plastic. You can buy them in sizes from 50 to 300 gallons to match your needs perfectly. A sinking de-icer sits on the bottom of the tank, heating the entire water column efficiently and staying out of the way of thirsty animals.
This setup gives you total control. You choose the tank size and the de-icer wattage that fits your climate and herd size. The only real vulnerability is the de-icer’s power cord. You must secure the cord up and out of the tank in a way that prevents animals from pulling on it or chewing it. This is a critical safety step that can’t be ignored.
Fortiflex Rubber Tubs: Unbeatable Durability
For the off-grid pasture or the farmer who refuses to run electricity to the barn, there’s the simple rubber tub. These aren’t heated. Their value lies in their material. The flexible rubber can withstand being frozen solid without cracking or shattering.
The daily routine is simple, if manual. When the tub freezes over, you can flip it upside down and stomp on it. The ice block usually pops out in one or two clean pieces. It’s infinitely faster and less frustrating than trying to chip ice out of a rigid metal or plastic container.
This is a conscious choice to trade convenience for absolute simplicity and durability. You still have to do the work every single day, but the tool itself will never fail you. It’s a reliable method for providing water, but it’s not a hands-off system. For some, that’s the perfect tradeoff.
Choosing the Right Winter Watering Solution
The goal isn’t to find the single "best" trough, but to find the one that best fits your farm’s unique circumstances. The perfect solution for your neighbor might be a terrible choice for you. It all comes down to balancing a few key factors.
Before you buy anything, honestly assess your situation. Your decision should be based on a clear-eyed view of your needs and resources. Consider these points:
- Herd Size & Type: How many animals are you watering? Two Nigerian Dwarf goats have vastly different needs than ten Kiko goats or three horses.
- Power Access: Do you have a safe, GFI-protected outlet within reach? If not, your options are limited to non-electric methods.
- Budget vs. Operating Cost: Can you afford a higher upfront cost for an insulated tank that will save you money on electricity all winter? Or do you need a lower-cost option now, even if it’s less efficient?
- Labor Commitment: How much time are you willing to spend each day? A heated, automated system requires minimal daily effort, while a rubber tub requires a consistent manual chore.
Ultimately, the right choice is the one that delivers clean, liquid water to your animals reliably through the worst of winter. It should match your budget, your infrastructure, and the amount of time you can realistically dedicate to the task. A good winter water system is an investment in your animals’ well-being and your own peace of mind.
Don’t let the chore of breaking ice dictate your winter; invest in a system that works for you and your animals. A little planning now pays off with healthier livestock and a much more manageable workload when the temperature plummets. It’s one of the smartest decisions you can make to prepare your farm for the cold months ahead.
