Can Chickens Swim?

Lots of important information but alot of stuff is repeated

I found some water safety information important to know. It explains quite well why chickens do not swim well. I have a kiddie pool for my hens in the summer. It gets really hot here in NC and they love going in and cooling their feet off. I put stepping stones in it so they do not slip and add water just above the stones. On really really hot days like the 90's and up I freeze a block of ice and add that too. When first introducing it I put a small brick in the middle to intice them in. Now they go in food or not. So water for chickens can be good if done safely. I started this when they were pullets and fully outdoors not as small chicks. Oh and make sure you keep it clean they will drink from it too. You will get the occasional poop. Have a great day all!

This article reads like it was written by a bot: super simple language, highly repetitive, and stating the obvious.

This was very informative. My chickens enjoy occasionally being misted on particularly hot days. Good information about the dangers of chickens swimming!

very important information! Specially for people that soak the hens in water when they are getting ready to incubate ( i do not know how to say it in English i apologise). I have witnessed people using the water hose to separate the roosters when they were fighting...some fight even against the fence. My dad ( RIP) would turn on the hose and shower gently some water on them...as soon as they felt the water they forgot the fight! It is better to scare them away safely without harming them and without using water! i wonder what other people use to separate the roos when they fight? very good information.

Very informative! I've seen videos of chickens in a pool but never knew how potentially dangerous. Thanks for the wonderful info.

Good information, personally I know Americana chickens like water as my hen loves to float in a tub of it on a hot day (I believe she stays in more for 15 minutes) and one of my baby Americana chickens likes to have her feet stand in water. I’d recommend letting chickens float in water on a hot day as it‘s a quick way to take down their body temperature.

Excellent info. From personal experience I know chickens do not swim well. I have a small stream on my property, about 8 to12 inches deep in some areas. A rambling hen managed to fly over the fence and dunk herself. Her feathers sogged almost instantly. She sank quickly to neck deep and couldn't get out due to the heavy water logged feathers. Thankfully I found and rescued her in time. Chickens are NOT meant to get into water deeper than 4 inches.

Ducks, even day old ducklings, like swimming. Not so much chickens. Good info.

Great information about why it's not safe to put chickens in pools or deep water. A shallow pan of water for them to 'wade' in on hot days may be appreciated, but deep water is dangerous.

Excellent information! Thanks.

My chickens do enjoy a shallow pan (less than an inch deep) of water on the hottest days.