Tomato juice...for chickens?!

[ObviouslyAnnie]

I was recently given several gallons of free tomato juice (bottled, generic brand) but nobody in my household drinks tomato juice!! Because the temperatures have been between 100-110 degrees fahrenheit here, I've been putting our kitchen scraps in gallon ziplock bags, filling them with water (just enough to cover the fruits and veggies) and freezing it. I peel the bag off before throwing the "treat-cube" under the cool water misters in the run. The chickens seem to enjoy the challenge and I like that they're cooling down!

Can I use the tomato juice, instead of water, in the "treat-cubes"? Would bottled tomato juice be good or bad for the chickens?!

I don't know if it matters but my flock consists of two lovely English Blue Orpingtons, one of which is currently brooding a clutch of Bantam Polish eggs, due around July 4th. I'm also "poultry sitting" my parents' two Black Javas, two White Javas, one Speckled Sussex and a Bantam Serama rooster.

Thanks!!!

 

[mandelyn]

How much sodium is in it? Usually in tomato juice it's quite high. I wouldn't give it to them if it's high in sodium. Chickens don't really sweat, and they may end up more dehydrated. They'll drink fruit juice though, if you sweetened up their water a little.