Panting Hens

[thecatumbrella]

@thecatumbrella I just read aart's post. Good info. Thank you for linking

The "Save a Chick" mentioned is what I give them in a supplemental waterer every day, in addition to their regular water. I definitely think that helps. I need to do the foot bath thing. And as much as they love their crushed ice, maybe I should limit that. I haven't seen head shaking, like brain freeze, but that probably wouldn't be good.

Time to go stick some containers of water in the freezer!

You might want to consider cutting back on the save a chick and only offering 1-2 times a week in the heat. If your chickens prefer it over plain water, they might be getting too much salt.

Another option is to make up a batch and keep it in the fridge, then mix a small amount with their feed to make cold "mash". Mine go nuts for this, and I think it feels better to ingest than just straight cold water or ice. I shoot for a thick oatmeal consistency.

 

[BonnieBlue]

You might want to consider cutting back on the save a chick and only offering 1-2 times a week in the heat. If your chickens prefer it over plain water, they might be getting too much salt.

Another option is to make up a batch and keep it in the fridge, then mix a small amount with their feed to make cold "mash". Mine go nuts for this, and I think it feels better to ingest than just straight cold water or ice. I shoot for a thick oatmeal consistency.

Putting it into a mash is what I did this morning. I typically make a mash that i put in the fridge to chill. This morning, I put SAC on it instead of water, since I keep it mixed and in the fridge. (Great minds, and all that!)

I might cut back by just giving it to them in mash, so I can control the amount, as you suggested.