eating ice??

[Dixiedoodle]

Every morning, I venture out into the cold , with a large bucket of water. I pour the ice and old water out, scrub their water tray, rinse and add the fresh tap water. I sprinkle their treats on the ground and in their food trays and then I open the coop door.....they run out of the coop, as fast as their little boney legs will carry them and start to eat the ice that had came from their waterer! Do they care that they have fresh water in their water tray, do they care that they have fresh tasty treats in the run, do they care that I am in their cleaning their dropping board and nest boxes-----NO000ooooo, they are out their eating dirty ice!!!!! ..... Why??

 

[LynneP]

I have no idea but mine love it too, and if one hen gets a large bit and runs off wit it, she is chased by the other 11. These are the same little missies who hate cold feet. Who knew?

 

[txchickie]

Not so much my chickens, but my guineas LOVE to eat ice and snow

I guess it's like a big giant dirt flavored snow cone

 

[joletabey]

One of mine was pecking away at snow yesterday- it was clean, though. I have NO idea why.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Yes, my chickens eat ice and snow! ???? Why??? Only they know why they do it!

 

[happyhensny]

Why do kids love to eat snow?

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

I don't have a clue! I guess they saw me walk in it and they thought: " Hey, since mom walked in it then it should be GOOD to
EAT! " ???? I can post a pic of them doing it if ya like! LOL!

 

[Organics North]

Eat some snow it is fun! Be a kid again.. Remember what you have forgotten. Of course do not eat yellow snow....

My chickens love to peck the snow off my boots when I am in the coop. It is close to their favorite treat....


on

 

[Mahonri]

You all are making me so happy I live in Phoenix this time of year.

 

[20tundra]

Everytime I dump out their frozen water bucket they fight over the ice chunks instead of drinking the fresh water.