Snowy chicken experiment

[lazy gardener]

Where is the science to back these assertions up?

I would suggest that you provide some science that says that chickens do not need water in the winter. Especially during weeks on end of below 0*F temps.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

Sitting here wondering what would it be like if the only water source I had was sucking on ice cubes all day . Its a good thought OP and would be nice but my best friend in the winter is an extension cord.
Spring 2018 Begins In 67 days !

 

[centrarchid]

Which assertions?

All of them. Liquid water I think is better to alternative of snow or ice, but do not have science to back it up. I know the adult chickens can meet water requirements and stay in top health, but have not had the opportunity to compare them to otherwise similarly maintained chickens on liquid water that are either growing or producing eggs. It is not something that is likely to have been conducted in production settings of the US. No science to back it up.

 

[centrarchid]

Sitting here wondering what would it be like if the only water source I had was sucking on ice cubes all day . Its a good thought OP and would be nice but my best friend in the winter is an extension cord.
Spring 2018 Begins In 67 days !

I think there will be a break point with respect to environmental conditions where below a certain temperature, the intake of water as ice will be problematic. That breakpoint will be a function of chicken size, feather quality, and actual need for water. When the chickens are already having a hard time staying warm, then consuming ice is likely to be a problem. If they are not overly stressed, then ice consumption may not be a problem.

During the winter, sometimes for months on end, my free-range chickens will not consume liquid water unless it is next to the feeder.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Not for chickens but there are studies on cows and horses. The concern of using energy to melt the snow seems to be compensated by eating snow all day, in between feeding. They feed slower and seem to rely on the heat generated by digestion to melt the snow.
http://www.angusjournal.com/ArticlePDF/11aj_snow.pdf

It isn't an ideal situation for chickens. Those actively laying require more water and that equates to a lot of snow intake, ratio of snow to water is 10:1. It's really easy to put out a bowl of water in the morning. My birds drink up first thing after experiencing a few days of frozen over water.

 

[RUNuts]

In winter, all the forage is dry. We feed dried foods and provide water on the side. Even a free range chicken is getting dried seeds and brown grasses to eat. If they pick the cow pies, they may get some moisture there, but where else?

In summer with abundant rains, some animals will get a lot of their water from the fresh forage. They still drink.

For example, if I were to go to a bar (hypothetically, mind you), they would provide me with SALTY nuts, SALTY & DRY pretzels, or DRY & SALTY popcorn for free. Eating all that would make me thirsty and I would drink more. I drink, they charge and make money.

Snow is interesting, but like drinking alcohol, it will make you more thirsty while providing some relief. Everyone perspires (sweat and breath) even in winter.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

Sounds reasonable Centrarchid. For us that dont know where that point may be though it would certainly cause problems . Is there a way to check for dehydration in chickens ? Hard poops maybe ?

 

[centrarchid]

In winter, all the forage is dry. We feed dried foods and provide water on the side. Even a free range chicken is getting dried seeds and brown grasses to eat. If they pick the cow pies, they may get some moisture there, but where else?

In summer with abundant rains, some animals will get a lot of their water from the fresh forage. They still drink.

For example, if I were to go to a bar (hypothetically, mind you), they would provide me with SALTY nuts, SALTY & DRY pretzels, or DRY & SALTY popcorn for free. Eating all that would make me thirsty and I would drink more. I drink, they charge and make money.

Snow is interesting, but like drinking alcohol, it will make you more thirsty while providing some relief. Everyone perspires (sweat and breath) even in winter.

Follow a tame chicken by getting down and looking at what consumes during the winter. If like mine, then bird will be observed to cherry pick succulent greens at the base of plants near roots. They consume a lot of insects during the winter as well, esepcially if able to forage large areas with lots of tussocks and leave piles.

 

[RUNuts]

@centrarchid - agree. Was making the worst case argument. If not allowed to free range or have a large area to forage, the cherry picking will be short lived and they will progress to whatever is available, even if not preferred. The grass grows slower and the bugs are finite.

 

[lazy gardener]

Follow a tame chicken by getting down and looking at what consumes during the winter. If like mine, then bird will be observed to cherry pick succulent greens at the base of plants near roots. They consume a lot of insects during the winter as well, especially if able to forage large areas with lots of tussocks and leave piles.

Pray tell, how is a chicken supposed to forage or cherry pick succulents under 3' of snow??? Where are the insects under 3' of snow? Even if the snow melts, my ground stays frozen solid till mid April.

Much variation between Maine, Florida, South Carolina, even New Jersey, and apparently Missouri.