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- #41
Nodakj
Songster
I have my new metal waterer with a base thats heated to try this winter. I have had limited luck with heated dog bowls. Pretty much went over to rubber bowls. As for a wet mash i am kind of thinking i might try it at some point. I am probably going to try the fermenting feed thing too at some point. But this week i just got a hanging 8 lb feeder and i am kind of liking not have to fill their feeders 3 times a day.I don't think they need special food in the winter, they just need enough of it. If they eat more food, they get more of everything (protein, fat, general calories, etc.)
Water is VERY important. If the chickens get thirsty, they will not eat dry food either, which makes two problems at once.
I think it's helpful to give them a wet mash in cold weather-- just their normal chicken food with warm water added. That lets them get water and food at once, and they can fill their crops quickly instead of going back and forth between water and dry food. Of course provide the normal dry food and water too, but mash is nice in the morning when they wake up and especially in the evening so they can stuff themselves before going to sleep.