Winder Deep Freeze - Frozen Water - Can they survive 24 hours with no water?

[rod5591]

I had an unusual day. It is cold--low of 15 and high of 27. I work up, gave the birds their food and water for the day, then drove off to help a friend, and didn't get back until after dark. They were all roosted already, so I locked the coops and carried the extra food inside. I noticed the water was frozen solid--i has thought their drinking during the day would keep the ice from forming too much. I was wrong--the ice was completely frozen--a four inch high iceberg. I am wondering if I had neglected my birds and brought harm to them. Can chickens survive 24 hours with no water? Should I take water to them now at 10;30 pm. ? Suggestions?

 

[Kessel23]

It's too late to take them water if they are already roosting. Give them some early in the morning tomorrow, they should be alright.

 

[pineapple416]

They should be alright but in the future be sure that they have access to water as chickens typically don't do well with a lack of water, I think it is after 18 hours or so it can be dangerous, but if they have already went to sleep they won't be drinking water until the morning anyway.

 

[centrarchid]

I had an unusual day. Can chickens survive 24 hours with no water? Should I take water to them now at 10;30 pm. ? Suggestions?

Yes.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

If the temps were up to 27 degrees and there was sunlight on the run the water may have not frozen until the sun went down. So, if they had water most of the day, then they should be fine.

 

[Mosey2003]

They'll survive, but it's not a good thing. Get some sort of heated apparatus or make sure you're offering them water two or more times a day.

 

[Northern Flights]

I suppose living in Tennessee you get a pass. Who'da thunk it could get that cold down yonder!? We have a motto up here on the frozen hard-pan: if the resident guests are healthy, they can take a bit more stress when the inevitable opens it's gaping maw. Saved us a lotta grief more than once.

 

[tnvarmint]

Hey folks,

I am new here (first post) and was about to post the same exact thing. Like the OP, I live in TN but a bit further east in the mountains. It hit around single digits last night and when I went to check on my girls their water was frozen. I use a 2 gallon square bucket I got off of Amazon with 4 nipples on each side. The water was only frozen on the top half of the bucket so there should have still been water at the bottom as long as the nipples weren't frozen. I took the bucket in and cleaned it real good and refilled the water.

My question is, is there any products to help stop this? I know of electric heater types but I really can't do that and I am sure the price would be too steep for me. I was thinking of perhaps some sort of chemical additive perhaps? I know this wouldn't be ideal as one of the reasons of having our own chickens is to get fresh eggs with no added chemicals, but I would rather use something like this sparingly than loose any of my girls.

 

[Northern Flights]

There is nothing I know of that one could add to water to lower the freezing point, that would not also kill your hens. A used, 100-200w submersible fish tank heater is often more than enough. Even new they are not pricey at all.

 

[123RedBeard]

In TN you could add hot water ...

Wrap it in bubble wrap ...

Put a couple of hot bricks under it ...