Does this feeder work in very cold winters? I live near Chicago and it gets very cold was wondering if the shock feature will work during the winter.
523648
Yes. Mine is in New England and survived 2 snow storms. Lowest temp thus far about 22.
1479420
I don't know the answer to this question. I put my window feeders up last spring when the weather was cold, but not freezing. I will wait and see what happens when our temperatures drop below freezing in October!
460864
I do not know if the cold weather would affect this unit. The one I purchased was defective and I returned it for a refund. The problem was with the timer. I couldn't get it to take the correct time setting and although this was not a biggie for me, because I could easily have it feed the fish a few hours off here or there, on top of the hour setting problem, the amount of food dispensed was not easy to control either. Great concept, very bad execution. I wish the manufacturer got more serious with the quality of the timer used, then this unit would be something very useful for all of us owners of ponds and koi. I do not know if the cold weather would affect this unit. The one I purchased was defective and I returned it for a refund. The problem was with the timer. I couldn't get it to take the correct time setting and although this was not a biggie for me, because I could easily have it feed the fish a few hours off here or there, on top of the hour setting problem, the amount of food dispensed was not easy to control either. Great concept, very bad execution. I wish the manufacturer got more serious with the quality of the timer used, then this unit would be something very useful for all of us... » Read More I do not know if the cold weather would affect this unit. The one I purchased was defective and I returned it for a refund. The problem was with the timer. I couldn't get it to take the correct time setting and although this was not a biggie for me, because I could easily have it feed the fish a few hours off here or there, on top of the hour setting problem, the amount of food dispensed was not easy to control either. Great concept, very bad execution. I wish the manufacturer got more serious with the quality of the timer used, then this unit would be something very useful for all of us owners of ponds and koi. « Show Less
323016
I haven't had it through a winter yet. I will bring mine in for winter because humming birds migrate south. I did have it in a bad spot for wind and it got blown off, but did not damage it at all. I have now stuck it to a window that doesn't get as much wind and it has been there for a few months not with no issues at all.
2080261
Hello, when it's really cold you need to start with completely thawed water, and mine will still freeze up to a few inches from the heater but the birds still get the little bit of water that they need. If you have colder weather than me you may need a more powerful heater? Hope that helps. Elizabeth
1719427
I would have to believe this doorbell would work in cold weather. I am sure the company has thought through on the elements. Over time, in any kind of weather either with the cold or the heat the doorbell will be effected. Sun shining on it .... bitter cold attacking it .... will cause something to happen.
3697
Hi, Amy. Good luck with the dried meal worms. We can't keep enough in he feeder during the cold months into early spring. We have noticed a slow down, but they still disappear in a couple of days. If you are a little more adventerous, try LIVE meal worms. The birds go nuts for these. The drawback is that they have to be kept in the fridge but if you're OK with that...a tupperware container with strips of news paper and some holes in the lid works just great. Bluebirds are our biggest consumers but other birds frequently stop by for a snack. Best wishes and good luck!!! alan in MA
808387
I live in Wisconsin. I have used 2 of these for my chickens. The plastic does just fine in Winter; however, I did drop one while it had ice in it, and one of the plastic sections of the "food side" broke off. It still works just fine. So yes - as long as you don't do anything too crazy with it, it will hold up to freezing temperatures.
726006
Mine was working for a little bit then the bit that spins the feeder broke. Unfortunately I found out while on vacation. Tried to fix it but couldn't. So when the time came for the feeder to feed, it wouldn't spin. I don't think your missing a step. I noticed this thing broke really easily. Probably fed 2 cycles on mine and then broke.
371337
Yes. I have yet to find any feeder that squirrels cannot get into. Have had this over a year and it's taken the abuse of all kinds of animals. Has held up cimpaired to other feeders I've purchased. I live in Ky, in a wooded area, so I have all seasons and animals.
1405641
Where I live, my Koi stop eating when the water temp drops below 50 degrees...This is pretty common, but the feeder always worked until I turned it off...Now we are at 25 below so I'm pretty sure it would freeze...Good luck...you might want to find out about the right temp for your fish to stop eating before you are too worried about feeding them...Peace...Scott
2014362
The unit has a built in thermostat - it comes on when the water temperature drops below 32 and shuts off when it comes up to ~40. It works!!!!! We have had a brutal winter and my birds are very happy!! It must be very low power as it has had no noticable impact on our electric bill . . .
1083568
Mine did freeze this winter. I had to use a bowl and refill it frequently on days it did not get above freezing. If you have access to power you can place a bird bath warmer in your bucket and then hang it high so cords are out of the way. I do not have an outlet near my coop so I did not heat mine.
672243
It is winter so I am not using mine at the moment. I think the little knob at the top has a button to loosen it up. You push the button and put the knob as close to the top as possible. when you release the button it locks in place. I'm not 100% sure this is correct. I will not be getting to my feeder until after the snow melts.
733518
We live in the San Francisco Bay Area, so we don't get snow. We haven't had much rain either. It's only a few inches deep so the roof overhang extends further out than the bird feeder. The birds in the neighborhood go through our seed quickly so we add to it frequently and clean it out every couple of weeks.
410071
Last winter I used this waterer all winter on the ground in an unheated barn which wasn't much warmer than the outside. Last winter here in Ballston Spa New York was the worst I can remember. Temps were below zero for days on end with lots of snow. It had no trouble with the temperatures, my Guinea Hens all survived with plenty of water always available along with lots of scratch feed always in the feed bins. I will be using it again this winter and it is already in use but not plugged in yet. I would be comfortable with 10 to 20 degrees below zero. It never froze once. Use it you can't go wrong. Last winter I used this waterer all winter on the ground in an unheated barn which wasn't much warmer than the outside. Last winter here in Ballston Spa New York was the worst I can remember. Temps were below zero for days on end with lots of snow. It had no trouble with the temperatures, my Guinea Hens all survived with plenty of water always available along with lots of scratch feed always in the feed bins. I will be using it again this winter and it is already in use but not plugged in yet. I would be comfortable with 10 to 20 degrees below zero. It never froze once. Use it you can't go... » Read More Last winter I used this waterer all winter on the ground in an unheated barn which wasn't much warmer than the outside. Last winter here in Ballston Spa New York was the worst I can remember. Temps were below zero for days on end with lots of snow. It had no trouble with the temperatures, my Guinea Hens all survived with plenty of water always available along with lots of scratch feed always in the feed bins. I will be using it again this winter and it is already in use but not plugged in yet. I would be comfortable with 10 to 20 degrees below zero. It never froze once. Use it you can't go wrong. « Show Less
1303317
It works great on squirrels. It should work for raccoons. I tested it by touching it and received a surprisingly strong jolt. Because the shock is intermittent, it doesn't harm birds or small animals. In fact, I used it to keep birds from building a nest on an antenna. One shock and they flew away, never to return. The unit is water resistant, but I did put a plastic bag over it just to be safe. You will need some bare aluminum wire, insulated stand-offs, wooden posts, and a means of grounding a unit. I clamped the ground to a convenient cold water pipe. If no grounding is available, you will have to drive a copper post into the ground.4 D cell batteries lasted all summer. It works great on squirrels. It should work for raccoons. I tested it by touching it and received a surprisingly strong jolt. Because the shock is intermittent, it doesn't harm birds or small animals. In fact, I used it to keep birds from building a nest on an antenna. One shock and they flew away, never to return. The unit is water resistant, but I did put a plastic bag over it just to be safe. You will need some bare aluminum wire, insulated stand-offs, wooden posts, and a means of grounding a unit. I clamped the ground to a convenient cold water pipe. If no grounding is... » Read More It works great on squirrels. It should work for raccoons. I tested it by touching it and received a surprisingly strong jolt. Because the shock is intermittent, it doesn't harm birds or small animals. In fact, I used it to keep birds from building a nest on an antenna. One shock and they flew away, never to return. The unit is water resistant, but I did put a plastic bag over it just to be safe. You will need some bare aluminum wire, insulated stand-offs, wooden posts, and a means of grounding a unit. I clamped the ground to a convenient cold water pipe. If no grounding is available, you will have to drive a copper post into the ground.4 D cell batteries lasted all summer. « Show Less