NO, NO, NO, you are not a failure. You are just learning like all of us are who are new to chickens. We learned very early that we had to have heated waterers in both houses and connected them with a extension cord and a thermostat so that when one goes on, they both do.

It was -16 last night and I was so sure it would be too cold for the girls in the small hoop house. I even hesitated to open the doors this morning because it was so cold but then I worry about lack of ventilation (since there is none if the doors are closed.) What we are realizing is that the heavy breed chickens are very hardy!

They are starting to venture outdoors even though it is brutally cold. I think they are just plain tired of staying indoors. Some still get stuck in snow banks, but most have figured out to stay in the shoveled areas.

We are learning also and hope none die because of our failure to care for them properly. You are doing just fine!!!

Fresh water once or twice a day will be sufficient for your chickens. We always dumped the water at night in winter and then filled again in the morning. In really cold weather we would knock out the ice once during the afternoon and give fresh water again. A regular light bulb will not make enough heat to do much good in an uninsulated space. You could use a heat lamp bulb, but be carefull it doesn't get knocked down into the straw or litter and start a fire.

Thanks you guys..robertaz5,especially for not thinking I'm a failure!! haha!
Well,I just got in from fixing things up out there and I guess they like the cold because I had to literally steer them into their little coop!
ksfarmer,I made sure that the hanging light is well secured..but I still fear the thing falling one day...god that would be horrible,but I've tested it out so it looks secure.And If all the outside lighting doesn't heat up the bucket enough..I will just do what I did today and pop out the ice then refill...wheew..lot's of work for eggs eh? I also have to do that with my rabbits,but I've had rabbits for a long time, I know they'll be ok. It's just my darling hens I worry about! Need those eggs for christmas baking! thanks for your replies..xo

Our waterer freezes too. I usually take out lukewarm water in the morning and that is enough to "thaw" it out for the day. I'm thinking about a heat cable wrapped around the waterer, but it's a plastic one. Any experience with this?

I've been sitting the waterer under the heat lamp at night, but it still partially freezes. Maybe this is good enough anyway? I always check the birds at least twice a day, so they never go without water for very long.

Now that I've put the higher watt light over the waterbucket,it doesn't freeze either! Yay! Only partially like you said but thats ok with me. I also check on them at least twice a day so if it does freeze,I'll just bring out the warm water and refill.
I also really like the idea from ksfarmer about bringing in the bucket at night and back out in the am..may try that too..:)