Is it okay?

[HappyClucker7]

I wanted to give my hens some frozen treats because it's been really hot. But, one of my hens is raising some chicks which are about a month old now. Is it okay for them to eat the frozen treats too?

 

[Lilalienangel]

Depends on the kind of treat more than anything. However, I understand that as long as they have access to grit they are fine eating anything a chicken can eat.

 

[HappyClucker7]

I meant more that the treat will be cold. I'm basically going to freeze some fruit into a disk shape and then feed it to them. I'm just worried about the chicks eating the cold ice.

 

[LaFleche]

I would not feed any frozen food to animals as this can lead to frost damage similar to burns.

 

[aart]

I don't feed frozen foods either.
Not even ice water where they would gorge on too much too fast,
I have seen a chicken suffer from an 'ice cream headache'.

Just this big block they can walk over or near and sip the water that melts which actually is not as cold as ice water.
Electrolytes help too.

Deep all day shade is best but....I don't have much of that.
This has worked very well to keep heat stress/stroke at bay:

I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves.
It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.
Can mix up a smaller amount, just wrap the packet tight and store in a dry cool place.
Always have plain water available too.

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.
Much more useful to the chickens than frozen foods and treats.

Make space in your freezer!

 

[LaFleche]

I wanted to give my hens some frozen treats because it's been really hot. But, one of my hens is raising some chicks which are about a month old now. Is it okay for them to eat the frozen treats too?

To provide somewhere cool for them, just water a shady part of their run in the evening, so it will be nice and cool the following day.

 

[HappyClucker7]

Okay, thank you. I won't give them any frozen treats like that then.