Good morning. How sturdy is this model? If, in winter, when it is below freezing, if it dropped, how likely is it to chip or shatter?
333990
Hi..unfortunately I just purchased this and have not had our winter as of yet. I would not feel comfortable assuming how it will do.
333991
This is a very good question and one I considered do to where I live (Northern Maine). The plastic is somewhat fragile and in freezing temps, depending on the angle and height from which you may hang it, it could crack. I mount mine on 2 cinder blocks, up off the ground and use a heater (designed for keeping poultry waterer's) from freezing. When it gets to 15 and below, even the heater doesn't help. I do have a small hot plate in the barn for keeping my water warm for in sub-freezing temps. But to answer your basic question, yes, it could chip or shatter.
333992
It feels rather sturdy but I don't know how it will be in the winter. I love in Northern New Jersey, and I had only purchased this in early summer. The plastic isn't flimsy, I can hold it in one hand filled with water and it doesn't bend or seem to stress. But again, time will tell. I will likely keep it in the coop anyway winter.
333993
not good in winter.there are other types that work well in winter check on the web if you use a heater you are better off using a metal one.
333994
I have not had any problems with chipping or shattering. The only problem I have had is that the top cap has broken on two of mine but were replaced by the company free of charge.
333995
Hello and good morning, I have two different styles one for summer (this one)and a heated base one. I really think it would chip or shatter with a freeze. Hope this helps! good luck
333996
I also keep mine on a heater in winter, so it's never cold enough to crack from dropping. Now--if I didn't warm it, the water inside would freeze (as it does occasionally on the edges, even with the heater), and then you'd be dropping a frozen chunk of ice. I guess the fount could crack under those circumstances, but the only issue I've had with cracking is the base (red part) because it's not supposed to be placed on a heater.
994387
I have had it tip over on concrete and a lot of dunking and hanging on the rim. It has held up with no cracks or shattering. Hope this helps...
2212925
I thought it was adequately heavy duty. It's not like you're going to be able to rip it off from under a ton of snow, but it worked well for us. No snags or unusual tears. Got several seasons under our belts with this. No issues so far.......
893847
I have not had a problem with it being chipped or broken. As it is glass of course you have to be careful with it and expect it to become chipped or broken after time. I suggest being very careful with this when you wash it or pack it up. But like I said I've never had a problem with mine
1089811
My set has held up wonderfully! It truly looks like the day I received it and it has weathered some pretty rough weather. Snow, ice, and some pretty hot days as well. It is now 3 yrs. old.
399813
Tom I live in central upstate NY also and u don't have any more snow and ice than we do here. If it breaks you'll have hood damage to I would think. It is very well constructed and I would never worry about it breaking.
457632
Only have had it a few months but has survived sub-zero weather, snow, ice, rain. wind. No problems thus far.
322013
Yes, the 5x5 can withstand a few inches of snow. Not ice, though. It would be too heavy. Just a reminder, this is not a hothouse, rather a planthouse. It would need you to provide the heat/cooling, etc. I love mine. It lasted all winter just fine here in Colorado.
308084
I've had mine for a couple of years now and it hasn't chipped. I live in the mountains and it's out all year. I bought the first one and liked it so well I bought another one. I am thinking about replacing my remaining feeders with this feeder. Excellent product.
293506
Keep in mind that this is inflated heavy duty plastic. Like most plastic things when they get too cold, they crack. I wouldn't risk it in really cold weather. We live in Florida and take ours down in November. If you want one for colder weather, you'd have to go with a hard sided one. That will be my next choice.
1217122
It's sturdy and the surface area of the roof is not that big. I don't think snow load is an issue. Can't say how it will do long term in very cold temps. My brother has a similar unit he has owned for probably 10 years. He has moved it 2x. It is holding up great. He is just north of NYC so below zero is not common. It is not hard to put together, but my 10 y.o. helped and he had to kick something to get everything to line up and he broke off a small piece. It is still sturdy despite that. I am very happy with it.
915464
Left mine out from August to December last year. Had to take it down after the snow and ice started setting on it. It's back up now for this year. This is in western PA weather. I don't think they can handle harsh weather. Would rip and tear.
651563
We only have the shovel for a few months. We used it through 3 snow storms. So far, it seems to be holding up pretty well. It has not chipped.
385834
it's primarily meant to use in the snow, I don't see how you would break it using it there. it is built pretty well.
690968
Ours has not cracked. We have it stored in the garage in non-winter months and drag it out for winter time. This cover has held up to Minnesota winters with snow and cold and had NOT cracked or dried out. We've had the cover for 3 or 4 years now. I'd recommend this one!!
308087
I've had mine for about 6-8 mos and do not see any chipping. I have a variety of birds (magpie, Jays, small birds) and maybe even deer in the dark. I live in NM where it is always extremely windy and the feeder swings around w/o any problem or damage. I also have a copper cover like an umbrella in leaf shapes to keep the seed dry.
2025551
Good question, but I'm not the one to ask unfortunately. I purchased it in the fall and it been freezing and cold here in the N.E. Based on its construction, which is fairly heavy duty plastic of a honeycomb type nature (its not solid plastic but has cavities between the inner and out layers) I would imagine it would hold up well.