An extreme weather system will be coming through tomorrow and be here for a few days. Temperatures will be so low that water will freeze within 30 minutes. I have too many water bowls to heat and can apply water often on once per day owing to short day length and work schedule. To compensate I start putting soaked oats in the water bowl. The oats are fully hydrated and usually with a little fermentation going on. By weight they are 70% water when well drained. When applied I make certain they are not well drained making for additional water. Under conditions they are used the quickly freeze, but unlike with straight water, the mass is easy for the chickens to peck apart with their bills. This coupled with a good drink of water in the early day is enough to keep birds well hydrated. Care is take to ensure the complete portion of diet is still properly consumed so requirements for protein and vitamins are met. Otherwise the soaked oats are entered into field calculations as scratch which are valued more as energy. The application of soaked oats is also timed for when energy requirement goes up to counter wind chill. Most of my birds are outside where wind chill is considerable.
Shelled corn, millet and wheat can be used in a similar matter.
Shelled corn, millet and wheat can be used in a similar matter.