Hen Eating snow??

rosemarysugar

Songster
Mar 1, 2018
489
597
221
Meeker, Colorado
Hi
I went outside to find that one of my hens was eating a large quantity of snow yesterday and today. We give fresh water every day in a heated water bowl ( so she always has access to water).
I never see her drinking but because it's winter, I only go out about 3 times a day for a short visit.
Any ideas why she is doing this, could she just like snow :confused::gig, or is she not drinking the water for some reason?

Thanks! :thumbsup
 
Have you ever seen toddlers experience snow? Their first inclination is to grab a handful and eat it. I bet you did too when you first saw snow.

Chickens are the same way. Their beaks are what toddlers' mouths are to them - instruments of investigation. Some chickens decide they like to eat snow after they discover what it is. I have a hen that makes an escape out of the covered run when she sees snow outside. She loves eating it. Some of the chickens will eat the snow I track in and eat it off my boots.

There are some folks like @centrarchid that keep chickens outside with strategic shelters. These chickens get much of their water from the snow. So do wild birds and animals.

Heck, I've even eaten snow while I'm shoveling my 900 foot long driveway from hell. My water needs can't be satisfied by snow, but it sure takes the edge off my thirst.
 
I don't think it is harmful to eat snow :gig Are you sure that she knows that she can drink the water? And where the water bowl is?
Perhaps she is just curious at what it is and if this is her first snow, I wouldn't be surprised if a few of the chickens pecked at it. Chickens investigate things by pecking, I believe that she is just investigating.
 
Mine will rather walk a few feet to consume snow than go 100 feet to get water. My guess is that the birds do have a preference for liquid water, but they also like to invest as little effort as they can. As of today, the chickens consumed snow rather than jump up 18" to drink out of a water filled trough.

Snow may not be as attractive when it is the really dry fluffy stuff that takes a lot of time to consume. That is when the snow get into the same realm as for us when just licking the little handfuls.
 
My first Flock loved to eat snow. I don't know if it's to get rid of it but they consumed it. 20171216_120817.jpg .GC
 

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