Flavoring water

[litlbit59]

Is there anything I could flavor my hens water with to maybe get them to enjoy it more and in turn get more water in them. Not that there's a problem but it's been pretty hot and more liquids couldn't hurt. I was thinking of diluted low sodium broth. What do you think.

 

[MeepBeep]

You shouldn't need to, they will drink what they need, but if you want you can add a small amount of sugar to the water like you do for baby chicks, but not nearly as much...

 

[chicmom]

Here in Ohio it is SO hot and muggy! I see what you mean, but I don't think I would add anything. I just make sure those water buckets are full, and then when I get home from work at 5:00, I empty them out and fill them up again.

Once when it was a terribly hot summer, I noticed my hens were panting and holding out their wings from their body to help get cooler. That summer, I had saved Cool Whip containers. I used those to make big ice cubes to put in their drinking water. They seemed to like it.

Maybe you could add some electrolites or something if you really think they're suffering from the heat.....

 

[MeepBeep]

Another option is to take a container, fill it with water and toss in a handful or two of bird seed, now freeze it and give that to the chickens as a treat...

 

[Den in Penn]

Putting ice in the water to cool it can help. Give them watermelon or any melon. If they are eating well, extra sodium really isn't needed. They don't sweat like us to stay cool so don't lose water and salt near as rapidly.

 

[roseyred]

There are lots of opinions on adding apple cider vinegar to there water. Just a gulp or two. From my experience it keeps the containers from smelling they also seem to drink more of it. As soon as I put it out they go crazy over it. It is also claimed to have health benefits
http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-benefits-of-garlic-cayenne-and.html?m=1