Can chickens stay hydrated on snow?

[Sally PB]

When it's so cold that the chickens won't come out to drink water, I put a bowl of snow in the coop. I do not put water in the coop. No way for me to make certain it does not get dumped, which would be WAY too much moisture/humidity in the coop.

Mine will nosh on the snow. When they want to come out, they get a drink from the bowl.

 

[Sally PB]

Everyone came out when I opened the door today. It's warmer, so they're ready to get outside. I didn't put the bowl of snow in the coop.

 

[PatriciafromCO]

I do encourage my chickens to leave the barn when there is snow on the ground lots of stomped down area from the other larger animals goats (Geese and ducks are the best path blazers lol) . The open range cattle will transition over to snow. Many animals do. True it's a lot of snow to make a tiny bit of water but it will sustain if that is the only thing available. Also wet slushy snow is different then a dry powder snow. As far as it lowering the body temp of birds am sure that is true. Any water I draw from the well will be just as cold during the winter.

Spreading feed on the snow also absorbs moisture it's not a bad thing for the birds. They will get their tubs filled in the barn too. We are in a break of a current storm (morning til noon) before it picks up again to til Sat morning. I personally like to see the animals out running around when they can during winter. when it's blowing snow they happy not to venture outside.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Fill a pan with snow. Heat it. See how much water there is in the pan when the snow melts. It will be negligible.

I grew up in Colorado. One thing we learned is in an emergency, do NOT eat snow! It requires so many calories to melt the snow that you will freeze to death trying to stay hydrated. The snow will lower your core body temperature and kill you.

Provide warm water for your chickens.