6 Best Insulated Stock Tank Heaters For Goats That Prevent Winter Worries
Ensure your goats have constant access to water in winter. Our guide reviews the top 6 insulated stock tank heaters for safe, worry-free hydration.
That first frigid morning when you find a solid sheet of ice on the goats’ water trough is a wake-up call. Lugging buckets of hot water or smashing ice with a hammer gets old fast, and it’s a losing battle against a deep freeze. A reliable stock tank heater isn’t a luxury; it’s a fundamental tool for keeping your herd healthy and hydrated through the winter.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Why Heated Water is Essential for Goat Health
Goats are surprisingly picky about their water, and they won’t drink enough if it’s near freezing. This isn’t just a preference; it’s a direct path to dehydration. A dehydrated goat is at a much higher risk for serious health issues, especially impaction colic, which can be fatal.
Proper hydration is the engine of a goat’s entire system. It’s critical for digestion, nutrient absorption, and maintaining body temperature. For pregnant or lactating does, the demand for water is even higher. Insufficient water intake can lead to a drop in milk production, kidding complications, and a general decline in health.
Think of a de-icer as a cheap insurance policy. By simply keeping the water in a liquid, accessible state, you encourage consistent drinking. This single action supports their rumen function, helps them stay warm, and wards off the most common winter-related health emergencies. It’s one of the easiest ways to reduce winter stress on both your animals and yourself.
Farm Innovators C-500 Submersible De-Icer
When you’re dealing with truly cold climates where temperatures consistently drop into the single digits or below, you need raw power. The Farm Innovators C-500 is a 1,500-watt submersible unit built for exactly those conditions. Its heavy-duty cast aluminum construction is durable and sinks to the bottom of the tank, heating the water from below.
This heater is thermostatically controlled, so it only kicks on when the water temperature nears freezing, which helps manage energy costs. However, at 1,500 watts, it will draw significant power when running. The main consideration with any submersible heater is cord safety. Goats are notoriously curious and will chew on anything, so you must run the cord through a piece of PVC pipe or other protective conduit to prevent a dangerous accident.
The C-500 is best suited for larger metal or structural foam stock tanks (50-100 gallons or more) where its heating power can be put to good use. It’s overkill for a small bucket, but for a medium-sized herd in a cold region, it’s a reliable workhorse that will keep water open in the harshest weather.
K&H Pet Products Ultimate Stock Tank Deicer
The K&H Ultimate Stock Tank Deicer is a versatile and energy-efficient option that works well for many hobby farm setups. It’s available in different wattages (like 250, 500, and 750 watts), allowing you to match the heater’s power to your tank size and climate. This flexibility helps you avoid paying for more electricity than you need.
This model can be used as a floating or submersible de-icer, giving you options depending on your tank’s shape and depth. K&H puts a strong emphasis on safety; their products are MET listed, meaning they’ve been independently certified to meet safety standards. They are also designed to be safe for use in plastic tanks, which is a crucial feature as many de-icers can melt or damage plastic troughs.
The key tradeoff here is power versus efficiency. A 750-watt version is a great middle-ground for a 30-50 gallon tank in a moderately cold climate. It won’t keep a huge tank ice-free in a blizzard, but for most common winter conditions, it provides reliable performance without an astronomical electric bill. Always check the cord length to ensure it can safely reach your GFCI-protected outlet.
API 15N Floating Pond and Stock Tank De-Icer
For those in more temperate climates or with smaller water troughs, a high-wattage heater is often unnecessary. The API 15N Floating De-Icer is a 1,500-watt unit, but its design and common use case often put it in competition with lower-wattage models for its efficiency in keeping a hole open in the ice rather than heating the whole tank. Its floating design is simple: it sits on the surface and keeps an area of water open for drinking.
This type of de-icer is incredibly easy to use—just drop it in and plug it in. The thermostat ensures it only operates when needed. The plastic construction and guard make it safe for all types of tanks, including plastic and pond liners. It’s an excellent choice for 15-30 gallon troughs where you just need to prevent a total freeze-over.
Create a beautiful and healthy pond with this durable 7x10 ft, 20 mil HDPE liner. UV and puncture-resistant, it's easy to cut and shape for waterfalls, koi ponds, and water gardens, protecting your pond from soil contamination.
The limitation is its performance in extreme cold. In a deep freeze with high winds, a floating de-icer might only manage to keep a small hole open. However, for many regions, that’s all you need. It’s a simple, effective, and budget-friendly solution for preventing ice, not for warming water.
Allied Precision 7521 Drain Plug De-Icer Kit
If the thought of a power cord inside the tank with your goats makes you nervous, a drain plug de-icer is the perfect solution. The Allied Precision 7521 is designed to be installed through the tank’s drain hole, keeping the entire electrical component and the bulk of the cord outside the tank and away from curious mouths.
This design offers unparalleled safety from chewing. Installation is straightforward: you simply unscrew the tank’s existing drain plug, insert the de-icer, and tighten it down. The low-profile heating element sits inside the tank, while the power cord extends from the outside. This 1,500-watt model is powerful enough for most tanks and cold conditions.
The major consideration is tank compatibility. This de-icer is specifically designed for Rubbermaid stock tanks and other tanks with a 1.5-inch drain plug opening. If you don’t have a compatible tank, this isn’t the heater for you. But if you do, it’s one of the safest and most "set-it-and-forget-it" options available.
Farm Innovators DPH-15 Drain Plug De-Icer
Similar to the Allied Precision model, the Farm Innovators DPH-15 offers the same core benefit: getting the cord out of the tank. This is another 1,500-watt unit designed for installation in a standard drain plug opening, making it an excellent choice for anyone prioritizing animal safety.
The DPH-15 is thermostatically controlled and built to be durable. By keeping the heating element low in the tank, it efficiently heats water from the bottom up. Once installed, it’s a very tidy setup that minimizes the risk of your goats damaging the unit or the cord. It’s a clean, effective, and safe way to keep water thawed all winter long.
Again, the deciding factor is your stock tank. These de-icers are not universal. You must have a tank with the correct drain hole assembly. For those planning a new setup, choosing a compatible tank from the start to accommodate a drain plug de-icer is a smart, forward-thinking move.
Gesipor Submersible De-Icer for Small Tanks
Not everyone has a 100-gallon stock tank for a large herd. For a small setup—like a buck pen, a quarantine area, or a pair of pet goats—a large de-icer is inefficient and expensive. The Gesipor Submersible De-Icer is a great example of a smaller, lower-wattage (often 250-300 watts) heater designed for 5-20 gallon buckets and small troughs.
These compact heaters are affordable and consume very little electricity. They are typically made with stainless steel guards to prevent the heating element from touching the sides of a plastic bucket. The built-in thermostat ensures it only runs when temperatures drop, making it very economical for a small-scale operation.
The obvious limitation is its power. This type of heater will be completely overwhelmed in a large tank or in severely cold weather. But for its intended purpose—keeping a small water source from freezing solid in a moderately cold climate—it’s the perfect tool for the job. It fills a niche that bigger, more powerful de-icers can’t address efficiently.
Key Safety Tips for Using Stock Tank Heaters
Using a stock tank heater is simple, but doing it safely requires attention to detail. Electricity and water are a dangerous combination, and goats are masters of finding weak points in any system. Your primary responsibility is to ensure the setup is 100% safe.
First and foremost, always plug your de-icer into a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlet. This is non-negotiable. A GFCI will cut the power instantly if it detects a short, which could happen if the cord is damaged or the unit fails. This single device can prevent a fatal electric shock to your animals or yourself.
Next, protect the cord. Even if a cord is rated as "chew-proof," don’t trust it. Run the entire length of the cord from the tank to the outlet through a protective sleeve.
- PVC Pipe: A simple and effective option.
- Flexible Metal Conduit: Offers even more protection against being crushed or chewed.
- Cord Protectors: Burying the cord inside a heavy-duty protector can prevent tripping hazards.
Finally, perform regular checks. At least once a week, inspect the heater and the cord for any signs of wear, cracking, or damage. Make sure the de-icer is operating correctly and isn’t caked with mineral buildup, which can reduce its efficiency and lifespan. A few minutes of prevention is far better than dealing with a failed heater or a safety hazard in the middle of a snowstorm.
Choosing the right stock tank heater comes down to your specific climate, tank size, and herd behavior. Whether you need a powerful submersible unit for a harsh northern winter or a simple drain-plug model for ultimate safety, the right tool will eliminate one of winter’s biggest chores. Investing in a reliable de-icer means you can rest easy knowing your goats have constant access to the water they need to stay healthy and thrive.
