Feeding snow to chickens

[Stepnout]

Well not really FEEDING snow but years ago I used to supplement my pigeons and quail water intake with fresh snow everyday. My waterers froze every day (no source of electricity back in the day) Feeding snow was and still is very common in this area. The birds love it and obviously need it.
What are your thoughts? Have you done this?
Regards
Stepnout

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Snow may be all you have without liquid water.
However, it takes energy to melt snow in the system and it takes about 10 times the snow for an equivalent amount of water.

 

[Stepnout]

I will have heated water for my hens and will be looking at turning the pen into bit of a green house with ventilation of coarse will be investigating additional heat/light.
I was also wondering do chickens dust in the snow.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I've always known that chickens eat snow and I've even heard people say they can survive on it. However, I would always make sure they have water at least daily.
Jungle fowl range all the way into the Himalayan foothills so in the wild would be in some cold climates.

They can't dust bathe in the snow. The snow would melt at body temperature and simply make the feathers wet. The purpose of dust bathing is to smother parasites so it wouldn't work.

 

[Stepnout]

Thanks I was just wondering if anyone witnessed a chicken taking a snow bath.
as these song birds are doing:

 

[PetitePlume]

I have been giving snow to my hens. I don't have power in the coop and they like it. When they are free ranging they go for the snow even though they have water at this time of the year. Neighboors around give snow as well since we live off grid.
No snow bath though, they would only get wet. Saw dust or sand or dirt. I have heard about ashes but haven't try it yet.

 

[Ducksandchickens]

Chickens can eat snow but it’s hard on there body and they definetly don’t get enough water as they should

 

[lazy gardener]

It depends a lot whether the temp is 20* below or above 0*F. If it's +20, the birds would not be as likely to be negatively affected by eating snow. If 20 below, they are already having a difficult time maintaining core temp.

 

[Stepnout]

I know with my pigeons I used to give warm water in the morning and always had a large bowl of snow. They always took the snow when the water froze. We also gave whole corn, wheat and chicken feed (can't remember, I think it was grower or finisher)
Well really appreciate the conversation.
Stepnout

 

[Garyoutlaw]

I had never gave it much thought as a sole source for their water intake but they sure do really seem to enjoy eating it when I offered it