The hens have a big bowl of fresh water, but sometimes they prefer to drink from the puddles made from melted ice.
I’ve also seen Zip, who also has his own bowl of water in the barn, licking the ice on the birdbath.
I’m not sure what that’s about. Maybe the icy water tastes better, or maybe the water in the heated bowls (just warm enough to keep the water from freezing) are too warm for them.
Or maybe it just taste better if not from the tap. The water from the tap where I live is somewhat awful so I appreciate the better tasting water in the mountains. Maybe it’s the same thing for the chickens and Zip. The ice won’t have a taste of minerals.
Could be, but we have well water which I think is very good water. They may have a different opinion though….
Ah yes I forgot! Lucky you!
:)