Snowy chicken experiment

[BantyChooks]

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.

Pretty sure that was an invitation to pack up our birds and head to MO for some winter sunshine.

 

[lazy gardener]

True that. Unfortunately, we all have our own climate regions to function in. I can't wrap my head around the idea that folks can let their birds out to free range anything between November and April, while the southern folks can't wrap their heads around temps that don't even get up to 0* for weeks at a time. Without access to water, I'm sure that my birds would be dead within a week, no matter that they have 3' of snow at their disposal... There was 4.5' in one area of the run until last week! They simply would not be able to generate enough energy to maintain hydration.

 

[BantyChooks]

True that. Unfortunately, we all have our own climate regions to function in. I can't wrap my head around the idea that folks can let their birds out to free range anything between November and April, while the southern folks can't wrap their heads around temps that don't even get up to 0* for weeks at a time. Without access to water, I'm sure that my birds would be dead within a week, no matter that they have 3' of snow at their disposal... There was 4.5' in one area of the run until last week! They simply would not be able to generate enough energy to maintain hydration.

MO in summer is not an exciting prospect, but I would enjoy a little break from the current weather, as would the birds.

 

[centrarchid]

I assumed free-range was complete, as in limited by only behavior of the chickens. That should have been spelled out. They do in a pinch consume the dry stuff and the and will consume hay when confined for sure.

Maine represents an extreme with respect to temperature and snow cover. Missouri and Indiana where I come from are decidedly intermediate. I have had better predator control than what you can muster owing to resources available here. That has allowed more extreme free-range capacity.

Some of the moisture actually comes from metabolism, not all it taken in as water or moisture in food.

 

[Chelseyb123]

Some of my chickens eat snow. But snow is not good for anyone to consume. All the chemicals an pollution in the air. And its still not enough water intake. But heres a tip i found worked with no heat, Depending on the size of your water feeder take a 12-16zo empty soda bottle fill it with water and salt put the cover back on and place it in the feeder. I cant remember how much salt but it can be googled. But i did this at he beginning of winter it worked for the most part. But someone gave me a heater. So i stopped doing it. It doesnt completely keep it from freezing but for the most part it worked.

 

[centrarchid]

The snow is chemically the same as what you are likely to collect in rain barrels connected to a roof. Heavy metals to be sure, but realistic.

 

[PirateGirl]

http://smallfarms.cornell.edu/2015/01/12/considerations-for-winter-grazing-your-sheep/

http://boreal.net/articles/cold-weather-research/do-not-eat-snow-another-survival-myth.php

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/physics-snow-melting-gary-hilton

Long story short. Eating snow/ice takes a lot more calories than just drinking water (even if the water is hovering at 32*F). Eating snow/ice is better than nothing because the effects of dehydration on the body are worse than the effects of the calorie loss. Also eggs are primarily water so water intake is important for egg production, among other things.

 

[Robert 1234]

On average... We here in the north north.. Run about -25.. 30 'c ... Snow is good, but nothing beats warm water once a day, if possible .
I will add snow daily to the pens so the birds have a choice after the water freezes during our cold snaps..!
All animals and birds require water at some point during the day to maintain health . This also AIDS in digestion .
As I am in the north.... I designed my buildings accordlingly.. Small buildings... Large enough to house the breed of bird I have at the time. ( based on sq. footage per bird )... Currently... I am running bantam chickens and can house a bakers dozen plus per building. ( 4x4x8 long) the birds Maintain themselves well ....
Looking for ward to spring... And fresh eggs

 

[The Moonshiner]

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

Apparently there's variation in Missouri alone.
Im in MO and when I got up today it was 7°. Two out of three of the doors on my house was froze shut, both truck doors froze shut and our gate was froze to the post and ground. I admit I was a bit distracted just trying to get on the road but I sure didn't notice anything green, any bugs or sunshine.
But hey you all come on down there's no snow on the ground at least.

 

[ShiftyShickens]

i appreciate all the feed back everyone! thankfully the girls still get water in the mornings but with the temps so low it doesn't take long for the surface to freeze and be inaccessible to the flock, the snow more or less is to supplement their water needs throughout the day will i'm at work. ice which cannot be pecked apart creates an issue where the light fluffy snow is very easy to consume for them. food is present in the morning and then again an hour before bed to fill their crops to help keep them warmer at night and a few hand fulls of scratch are thrown each day to tide them over between meals as well. they are all quite fat and happy, their poop doesn't look dry or hard, rather normal as far as poop goes. the snow bin is consumed about every two to three days, after which is cleaned out and refilled. i notice they really like it when i first bring it in and as i said before, the majority heads to the fresh snow over the water with the exception of a few. what really formed my opinion is the way they would peck my boots to get the snow off them, it's what really made the mans idea make sense to me. again thanks ya'll!