What are the pros and cons of adding ice to chickens' water?

[Barnette]

What are the pros and cons of adding ice to chickens' waters in the heat of summer? How much does the ice really help, and are their any ways that the coldness could shock or harm the chickens?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'd just provide fresh cool water a couple of times in hot weather.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

We water in buckets. DH fills the buckets in the morning. It's not a job I can do when he's not here. We have several empty PowerAde bottles in the freezer, each about one-third full of ice. About noon on hot days I top off the bottles with cold water and put two in each water bucket. This generally keeps the water cool until he gets home at night. When I add the iced bottles, the chickens gather round and drink the cooled water, so I know it helps. Works for us.

 

[Kenya Mwangi]

What are the pros and cons of adding ice to chickens' waters in the heat of summer? How much does the ice really help, and are their any ways that the coldness could shock or harm the chickens?

Hello In the heat of summer, putting ice in the water for chickens helps them cool off greatly. The reason is when water becomes too hot or too cold, chickens drink it less. When it is in the optimum temperature, chickens drink more of it.

So in summer heat the ice brings it to a temperature that they drink it more which is need too cool off when panting doesn't work because it got too hot.

 

[The Coop Crew]

On really hot days I add ice cubes to their water multiple times a day if I’m home and able to

 

[Kenya Mwangi]

On really hot days I add ice cubes to their water multiple times a day if I’m home and able to

Hello I like the way you operate.

 

[The Coop Crew]

Hello I like the way you operate.

I’m usually out there cleaning their water out a couple times a day so I just add ice while I’m out there

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I'd be nervous about shocking their systems. It can happen to people if you're extremely hot and chug a super cold drink. I just keep the water clean and they drink when they need to. Keeping bowls in the shade also helps keep them from getting hot

 

[5Australorpasaures]

I just throw in a "Blue Ice" brick. Don't know if the birds appreciate it, but it's something.

 

[MamaPoult]

Hello In the heat of summer, putting ice in the water for chickens helps them cool off greatly. The reason is when water becomes too hot or too cold, chickens drink it less. When it is in the optimum temperature, chickens drink more of it.

So in summer heat the ice brings it to a temperature that they drink it more which is need too cool off when panting doesn't work because it got too hot.

This is what I do too. Works very well!