Ice free bird baths

[kia cat]

Is there anything you can add to the bird bath water to stop it freezing up quite so quick? Cheers

[Androcles]

The frequent advice is to put a table tennis ball or a twig in it to float as this tends to stop it freezing. Adding chemicals is a bit too dodgy for me!

[Robinia]

I think that's for deeper ponds isn't it Androcles?
Not a lot that you can do about shallow baths freezing in this. I alternate two large plastic plant pot trays every few hours...keep one empty to replace the frozen one.

[kia cat]

thanks gang, was using hot saucepan of water to melt it. Wondered if a drop of cooking oil would be OK? Cheers

[ethandron]

there is a product available for stopping birdbaths freezing over, just google 'birdbath anti freeze'. some people also use glycerine.

[Milvus]

Don't add anything to the water, including glycerin. It will damage the waterproofing and insulating properties of the birds feathers and natural oils.
The RSPB recommendations are here: http://www.rspb.org.u...rds/water/icefree.asp