heated bird bath opinions please

14 years ago

Can anyone recommend a well made heated bird bath? I have one that I can still use, but it attaches to a metal stake that you push down in the ground, and it is very wobbly and impossible to keep level. I finally gave up and put it on a wooden ottoman from our lawn furniture set. I'd kind of like on to go on our deck railing, however I've read many of them fly off in the wind. I've seen them on web sites, but it's hard to tell from a picture what will work the best. Thanks in advance for your opinions. I'm in Indiana and already bracing for the cold weather to come!

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Comments (12)

cjc45
14 years ago
I think mine came from Wild Birds Unlimited (it was a gift). The plastic "bath" part was permanently attached to the wooden frame and the whole thing clamped to the deck rail. In my non-electric deck birdbath it was necessary to put a rock in the center to keep the bath from blowing away when it got empty.
chickadeemelrose
14 years ago
Hi - I have the ez-tilt bird bath on my railing and am really happy with it so far. I had birds in it the first day. I think it attaches very well to the railing, it is pretty big, and it looks really nice when I look out my dining room window to see it. It's made of sturdy plastic, and the electric connector for heating is coiled up under the bowl for now.

I haven't used it heated yet (thank goodness!) :) but I think someone else on my "preparing for winter" thread this week has this bird bath too.

Oh, also, the ez-tilt feature is to make it easy to empty and clean the birdbath - by just tilting the bath over to one side.

Good luck -

Donna
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soycandle
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you! I am looking for something that is nice looking AND well made, which is hard to find! Boy, and they sure can get pricey! I will look for those models. The one I have is ugly and the stand is poorly made and unusable, but it's in the backyard, so not such a big deal, however this one will be toward the front of the house, and I don't want something that is ugly! If someone else has a model they, too, like, please chime in. I haven't purchased yet! :) -Lynn in IN
lisa11310
14 years ago
I have the eazy tilt too, had it 5 years now. LOVE it. Still going strong. I have the deck railing mounted one. I keep it up year round even though I have a samll pond, the birds really like it. It has not failed yet in the harsh Michigan winters. I always keep some small rocks in there for smaller birds to stand on and drink from. I also take the rocks in and soak them in HOT water on the coldest of days for the birds to warm their little feet. Hot rocks will hold heat nearly all day. It was about $80.00 because my modle has a thermostat in it....like the darn thing ever turns off in the winter here. LOL
organic_bassetlvr
14 years ago
I have just a heater that goes in a bath. It seems like it came from Tractor Supply but I bet Lowe's or Home Depot carry them as well. It turns off if the water level drops too low, not sure if it turns off when it's warm outside but it pulls very little electricity. I don't know how to post links but if you use a search engine you'll find loads of info. I did notice the price is considerably higher than when I bought mine, but it has lasted at least 8 years, maybe longer.
Susan
alanfreeman
14 years ago
try heated bird baths. I use the same one chickadeemelrose has, the ez tilt and like it a lot. I've never tried the heating element models, just the ones with the heater built in and love them. The solar sipper is a waste of money by the way - don't bother with that. It has a small hole in it is all and doesn't work at the temperatures they say it will. Has to be in direct sun all day and still doesn't keep water from freezing.
soycandle
Original Author
14 years ago
I have a metal bird bath I really love. Does anyone see any problem with me buying one of the bird bath heaters (with a thermostat) to go in it? Is the metal going to make it difficult to keep heated or cost more to run because it will conduct the cold?
donald lucius
14 years ago
When i still lived on the farm we used stock tank heaters to keep the water tank thawed for the horses and cows. the birds would drink from the stock tanks. The heaters are round and about a foot in diameter. they have a thermostat
and an overheating shutoff. And they hang in the tanks or tubs just below the surface. I live on a lot outside of town now and have a backyard with juniper and pinyon and oak brush, I have a galvanized wash tub sitting on the ground and hang the heater from a tree branch so it is in the water. Most any feed supply or farm supply or ranch store carrys them. They work great for a rural setting.
instar8
14 years ago
I have one like this that will fit any bath, I paid about $50 at a pet store, but been using it for more than 10 years.

I'd like to try one of the ones that are submersible, the flat circular ones, they're cheaper too, but i can't say how they'd hold up. This one can get knocked over on busy days, but I have to fill the bath everyday anyway, so it's no biggie.

I'm convinced that water brings as many if not more birds than food in winter, I have flocks of bluebirds, finches, doves, sparrows, everything all day long lining up for a turn at the bath. When we have long below freezing spells, i often have to fill twice a day.

Another Lynn in IN ;~)

Here is a link that might be useful: the type of heater i have.
instar8
14 years ago
Oh, and i don't see any problem with using it in a metal bath, i 've used it in several of my collection of bird baths, and the flatter the bottom the better it works.
Prolly easier to keep clean, too.

I use a green outdoor extension cord, and tape the plug so water doesn't get in and trip the GFI, I don't think it's unsightly at all.
soycandle
Original Author
14 years ago
Instar8 - I'm wondering why it works better if the bottom of my metal bird bath is flat. This is probably a silly question. My bird bath is about 3 inches deep and has sloping sides, not very flat. Will it not work very well with a heater? Please let me know what you think. Thanks!
james_m_clark
14 years ago
The heater than I had was set to 35 degrees, just enough to keep the water from freezing, so I don't think that would use a lot of electricity, and there shouldn't be a problem when there is no water. I suppose that it typical of bird bath heaters in general.

My heater has failed after many years of service, so I am in the market for a new one.

heated bird bath opinions please

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