Hot, hot, water: how much ice??

[ValerieLovesChickens]

As you can see by the picture, we are cooking again here today! My ice blocks are melting in 1 to 2 hours and water is hot within an hour again! Just got home with a 20lb bag of ice, for my 5.5 month old pullets and roosters. How much ice is safe to use in their drinking water? They are all heavily panting, despite all our efforts. They are also squabbling over who is next to stand on the brick in the pan of water, and pushing each other off of it. LoL

 

[speedy2020]

I use few plastic coke bottles with tap water and put into the freezer over night. Just remember only fill about 95% water in the bottle that allow room to expanse when cold. I take the bottles and throw in their 55 gal drinking water tank. I have few plum trees around the run that keep the sun out during the day.

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

I use few plastic coke bottles with tap water and put into the freezer over night. Just remember only fill about 95% water in the bottle that allow room to expanse when cold. I take the bottles and throw in their 55 gal drinking water tank. I have few plum trees around the run that keep the sun out during the day.

I have two 5 quart waterers.... I don't think a bottle will fit in them, but I will check to make sure before I rule it out. They get fresh water two to three times a day, as it has been so miserably hot, day after day. It's like today they said Mom, we just can't take the heat anymore.

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

Well, I didn't get any immediate replies, so I filled their 5 quart waterers up halfway with ice, and the rest water from inside the house, as I can now only get hot water outside from the hose. They ran right over to drink, a lot. Still panting, but not as bad. Going to give that an hour, then they are getting some cold iceberg lettuce for a treat. I am just scared of making it too cold, and putting them into shock.

 

[speedy2020]

I have two 5 quart waterers.... I don't think a bottle will fit in them, but I will check to make sure before I rule it out. They get fresh water two to three times a day, as it has been so miserably hot, day after day. It's like today they said Mom, we just can't take the heat anymore.

I think drinking bottle water will fit.

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

On the bright side...panting is good because just like dogs, it's one way they cool down. Plenty of shade, fresh water, maybe add a small fan if it's humid heat and cool treats like cold or even slightly frozen watermelon & seedless grapes and they should be fine. That's what I do and I have never lost a bird to heat. I live in the Low Country of SC ...think hot humid and it's like breathing in steam!!

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

On the bright side...panting is good because just like dogs, it's one way they cool down. Plenty of shade, fresh water, maybe add a small fan if it's humid heat and cool treats like cold or even slightly frozen watermelon & seedless grapes and they should be fine. That's what I do and I have never lost a bird to heat. I live in the Low Country of SC ...think hot humid and it's like breathing in steam!!

Yeah they love the frozen watermelon, but I'm out so lettuce will have to do today. I've never tried grapes, will have to do that, thanks! I'm down here in Texas about an hour south of Ft Worth. Hot, humid, sticky.

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

Yeah they love the frozen watermelon, but I'm out so lettuce will have to do today. I've never tried grapes, will have to do that, thanks! I'm down here in Texas about an hour south of Ft Worth. Hot, humid, sticky.

I'm feeling your pain!

 

[RRM]

Our waterer’s are 5 gallon buckets with horizontal nipples. The buckets are not white or transparent so sunlight can’t penetrate. Waterer’s are inside the run, which is covered by R-panel metal roofing and in a well shaded area on our property. Even with the heat index lately exceeding 100 degrees here NE of Houston, you can take the lid off our waterer’s and stick your fingers in and the water is cool to the touch. The waterer’s placed outside of the run for use while they free range everyday are also in the shade, and we don’t seem to have any issues with hot water, but I think the key is that our waterer’s are never in any type of direct sunlight.

 

[Peppercorngal]

It has been a hot summer here as well. Add more watering pans that your birds can stand in. You need also to add shade. Water should be shaded or it will get too hot. You can get cat litter boxes at the Dollar Tree and use them for water, my chickens love them! I have 8 big pans of water for my chickens and still go out and water down the ground at least 3 times a day under a big cedar for them to lay on the cool ground. I don't do the ice thing anymore, as our freezer broke and we have no room (or money) for that. I use old dishpans, auto oil pans (new also from Dollar Tree) anything to provide lots and lots of water! It's at least 100F daily here. Good Luck