Frozen Summer Treats for Chickens

Chickens struggle in heat. A frozen block of fruit, vegetables and mealworms in water gives them something cool to peck and helps them drink more.

Offer it in the shade in the afternoon.

Why your flock will love this

• Keeps hens cool in heat waves
• Encourages drinking
• Uses kitchen scraps

Ingredient notes

• Watermelon, cubed Safe

  Hydrating summer treat; rind is fine to peck.

• Berries Safe

  Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries.

• Dried mealworms Safe

  High-protein treat, great during molt.

See every ingredient in the safety guide

How to make Frozen Summer Treats for Chickens

Frozen Summer Treats for Chickens takes about 8 hours 10 minutes from start to finish and makes 1 ice block. It is an easy recipe. You will need a bundt pan. Read through every step once before you start, and set out all the ingredients so nothing is missed.

Ingredients and why they are here

You need 5 ingredients. Each one is checked against the ingredient safety guide for chickens.

• 2 cups watermelon, cubed: Hydrating summer treat; rind is fine to peck.
• 1 cup berries: Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries.
• 1 medium cucumber, sliced
• 1/4 cup dried mealworms: High-protein treat, great during molt.
• 4 cups water

Step-by-step instructions

1. Scatter the fruit, cucumber and mealworms in a bundt or cake pan.
2. Pour water over to cover.
3. Freeze overnight. Allow about 8 hours.
4. Run warm water over the pan to release the block.
5. Set it in a shady spot in the run.

Tips for success

• A bundt pan gives a ring you can hang from a branch.
• Add fresh herbs like mint for extra cooling appeal.
• Put the block on a tray to keep the run from turning muddy.

How to store it

Let everything cool completely before you pack it away, since trapped steam causes sogginess and mold. Keep it in the freezer for up to 4 weeks. If anything smells off or shows mold, throw it out.

How much to serve

One block per 4 to 6 hens on hot afternoons.

Why chickens love it

Keeps hens cool in heat waves. Encourages drinking. Uses kitchen scraps.

Feeding tips for chickens

Treats should make up no more than about 10 percent of what your flock eats, with a complete layer feed as the base. Offer treats in the afternoon so hens fill up on feed first. Provide grit and oyster shell free choice, and always keep clean water available. Remove leftover fresh food before evening to avoid attracting rodents.

Make it ahead

To save time, measure and prep the ingredients the day before and keep them covered in the fridge. Label containers with the recipe name and date so you always know what to use first. Most of the work in this recipe is hands-off, so it fits easily around a busy week.

What to watch for

A drop in egg laying often means too many treats and not enough layer feed. Watch for pasty vents in chicks and soft-shelled eggs in hens, which can point to diet problems. Isolate any hen that looks lethargic or stops eating, and call a vet who treats poultry.

Shopping list

Before you start, check that you have watermelon, berries, cucumber, dried mealworms and water. Most of it is at the grocery store; hay, pellets, feed and supplements are at pet or feed stores. Buy fresh produce close to the day you cook.

Safety notes

Never add onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol or salt, and check the safety guide before trying a new ingredient with your hen. This recipe is general information, not veterinary advice.

Frequently asked questions

How do I keep chickens cool?

Shade, airflow, fresh cold water and frozen treats like this.

Can chickens eat watermelon?

Yes, flesh, seeds and rind.