Is it okay for chickens to eat ice? Worried...

[caralouise1974]

My chickens are totally bonkers. I've been crawling into their run first thing in the morning, for the last three days, breaking up the ice and providing fresh water, but all they want to do is fight over the slithers of ice! They're going crazy for it.

Surely this will chill them too much and they would be better off drinking the water? Also, I've seen them gobbling down massive sharp chunks of it - could that harm them?

I just don't understand, when they have fresh clean water available right there...

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:

They are fine. Some foods they eat are a lot sharper than ice.

I've never heard of a chicken dying from brain freeze.

Maybe they would enjoy some home made ice cream. Get to work.

 

[wing it]

they will be fine , it just water. mine eat ice, no prob

 

[caralouise1974]

Thanks guys!

 

[Mrs. K]

I know just what you mean, Grandma tells me to take them warm water when it is cold out, and they are ignoring it, diving after the ice chips that I just broke up. However, we also have a dog that plays with the bigger ice chunks, when we chop ice for livestock. Animals are nuts!

 

[LynneP]

Same here- they grab a piece of ice and take off running with others taking up the chase....and we worry about keeping them warm!

 

[dappertophatter]

They'll be perfectly fine. Mine eat snow.

Mine also run around screaming after the one who has the GOOD piece of snow. I tell ya, I knew Polish were neurotic, but I didn't think THAT neurotic (until today..).

 

[chickenwhisperer123]

Mine are CONSTANTLY fighting over the 'best' piece of snow....