Frozen Treats and Hydration Hacks for Chickens

Frozen Treats and Hydration Hacks for Chickens

Summer heat is no joke — especially when you’re covered in feathers.

When the temperatures rise, I start switching gears in my chicken routine. My girls go through water faster, lay a little less, and look for any shade they can find. Over the years, I’ve tried all sorts of ways to help them cool off — and nothing has worked better than frozen chicken treats and a few smart hydration tricks.

Whether you’re new to owning chickens or just want a few fresh ideas, here’s what’s helped me the most.

🧊 My Go-To Frozen Treats for Chickens

1. Frozen Corn & Peas in Water Pans

This is a staple around here. I keep a bag of frozen corn for chickens in the freezer, and on hot afternoons I’ll toss a handful into a wide water bowl. They love fishing for the corn, and it keeps them drinking cold water.

You can also mix in peas, chopped greens, or even tiny bits of fruit.

These little DIY snacks for chickens double as entertainment and hydration — and they work better than any store-bought treat I’ve tried.

2. Ice Cube Treats (aka “Chicken Popsicles”)

This one’s great if you’ve got leftovers:

• Chop up watermelon rinds, cucumbers, mint, spinach, and berries
• Drop the mix into muffin tins or silicone trays
• Fill with water or a splash of yogurt (optional) and freeze

Pop them out and serve on a plate or shallow pan in a shaded part of the run. These frozen chicken treats are a favorite in our garden chicken coop.

If you’re raising hens in a smaller setup or experimenting with simple DIY chicken coop ideas, this is an easy treat to make even without a full freezer setup.

3. Hanging Frozen Bundts

I saw this idea in a backyard chicken group and never looked back. Freeze chopped fruit, greens, or leftover veggie scraps in a bundt pan with twine in the center. Hang it from a sturdy spot inside your coop run and let them peck at it throughout the day.

It keeps them cool and gives them something to do. Honestly, it’s one of those fun things to do with chickens that turns into a backyard event.

4. Chilled Yogurt & Oats (Once in a While)

Not everyone agrees on dairy for chickens, but I’ve found that a small scoop of plain yogurt mixed with oats and frozen berries goes over very well. I only offer this once every week or two — too much dairy can cause runny droppings, especially in heat.

Still, on a scorching day, it’s one of those treats hens go nuts for.

💧 Coop-Friendly Hydration Hacks

1. Keep Waterers Out of the Sun

Sounds obvious, but I used to leave our big metal waterer right in the sun. Now I place it in the shade near our coop door (we’ve got a basic egg-laying chicken coop setup). I even built a little mini-roof from scrap wood to help.

Shaded water = cooler chickens.

2. Double the Water Stations

Especially in summer, chickens don’t always want to compete for one bowl. I add extra stations in the run — even simple plastic tubs — to avoid crowding and keep everyone drinking.

This is one of those underrated chicken coop food ideas that doesn’t cost anything but can make a huge difference in flock health.

3. Use Shallow Pans for Foot Cooling

Some birds, especially heavier breeds, will dip their feet in shallow pans of cool water. It helps with cooling off without needing to soak their feathers. I’ve even seen them stand in it while snacking on their frozen corn treat like they’re living the spa life.

🍉 Tips for First-Timers

• Stick with natural ingredients — no sugar, salt, or flavored yogurt
• Always clean up uneaten treats at the end of the day (flies love a sticky mess)
• Avoid rich foods like scratch grain or cracked corn during peak heat hours — save those for winter chicken treats when the calories help them stay warm
• Offer frozen treats in the shade to keep them cooler longer

If you’re just starting out or experimenting with chicken coop designs, don’t overthink it. Even a simple frozen tomato can make a huge difference.

Final Thoughts

Frozen treats aren’t just about spoiling your flock — they’re a solid part of summer chicken care. When it’s 90+ degrees and the hens are slowing down, a frozen chicken snack can lift their mood, boost hydration, and even support egg production.

Whether you’ve got a full garden chicken coop or you’re working with a basic backyard setup, these simple treats and hydration tricks can go a long way.

Try a few and see what your flock loves best — mine never turn down frozen corn.