Is it hot where you live too? Bc here in MO, its been in the triple digits for three weeks straight. I thought i would share some ideas to help your flock 'beat the heat'. i mean, we dont need to beat the heat bc we have AC, but what about them?
FROZEN FOODS:
Frozen food helps them cool down in this heat. Just simply take some fruits, or veges or something, chop it up into small quarter sized peices, then freeze them. Once they are frozen (depending on freezer, it should take about 2 hours). go out to your chickens, and instead of just dumping it so every one can fight for it, toss them out to them. Seek clusters of them, and toss out about 3 peices each to them, or how ever much you have available.
Try:
Cucumbers
squash
potatoes
apples
strawberries
bananas
tomatoes
peas
watermelon
pineapple
oranges
berries
or any other treat your chickens love!
FAN:
Take an old fan (that still works) and place it right outside the coop door. But dont have it blowing directing in, which will stir up the dust, have it blowing at them when they walk out the door. so its blowing across the doorway, but not into the coop (kinda hard to explain..). This will also cool down the coop, even if its not going directly into the coop.
Or you can place it in some of their favorite spots to scratch, or hang out.
ICE JUGS:
Take some gallon jugs, juice containers, water bottles, and fill them with water. Place in the freezer. After completely frozen, place in the chicken coop, in their favorite dusting spots, or anywhere that they love to go. (you can even put mini water bottles in the nest boxes) They will sit by them/on them, and they will cool off. (replace often)
SHALLOW DISHES:
Instead of big 5 gallon containers for water (better for winter and nighttime),try shallow dishes. place them all over, so they can refresh themselves anywhere they are.
FREQUENT WATER CHANGE:
Change their water often, as it will get warm. Warm water is just as good as no water.
DUNK IN WATER:
Take a bucket, and fill it with cool water. Not hot, not warm, not freezing. Just cool. Fill it up to back-high on a chicken, then dip each chicken, one by one in water. BE CAREFUL!!!!! dont let their heads get in the water, and make sure its just enough to go over their backs. After you will have angry but cool chickens. (i've never used this method, I found it on another website)
LITTLE BEDDING:
Try not to let the bedding in the coop get over two inches, its traps the heat. Change it out often.
SHADE:
Make sure there is plenty of shade!! Plan ahead and make sure the coop has a large tree over it for after noon shade.
SPRAY DOWN DUST SPOTS:
In the after noon, spray down there dusting spots. Dont drench it, just dampent it
LIGHTS ON A 2:
If you have any artificial lights, hang them in the coop. Set a timer to turn them on at an early hour, say 2 am. this will give them time to get drinks when its still cool out. Turn off an hour later.
ROOF SPRINKLERS:
I know this sounds funny, but put a sprinkler on their roof. The water will evaporate, carrying away the heat. This method is extremely effective, but only try it if you have a generous amount of water on hand, and do not mind an excessive water bill.
ALRIGHT! I THINK THATS IT! if you have any more, please comment!
FROZEN FOODS:
Frozen food helps them cool down in this heat. Just simply take some fruits, or veges or something, chop it up into small quarter sized peices, then freeze them. Once they are frozen (depending on freezer, it should take about 2 hours). go out to your chickens, and instead of just dumping it so every one can fight for it, toss them out to them. Seek clusters of them, and toss out about 3 peices each to them, or how ever much you have available.
Try:
Cucumbers
squash
potatoes
apples
strawberries
bananas
tomatoes
peas
watermelon
pineapple
oranges
berries
or any other treat your chickens love!
FAN:
Take an old fan (that still works) and place it right outside the coop door. But dont have it blowing directing in, which will stir up the dust, have it blowing at them when they walk out the door. so its blowing across the doorway, but not into the coop (kinda hard to explain..). This will also cool down the coop, even if its not going directly into the coop.
Or you can place it in some of their favorite spots to scratch, or hang out.
ICE JUGS:
Take some gallon jugs, juice containers, water bottles, and fill them with water. Place in the freezer. After completely frozen, place in the chicken coop, in their favorite dusting spots, or anywhere that they love to go. (you can even put mini water bottles in the nest boxes) They will sit by them/on them, and they will cool off. (replace often)
SHALLOW DISHES:
Instead of big 5 gallon containers for water (better for winter and nighttime),try shallow dishes. place them all over, so they can refresh themselves anywhere they are.
FREQUENT WATER CHANGE:
Change their water often, as it will get warm. Warm water is just as good as no water.
DUNK IN WATER:
Take a bucket, and fill it with cool water. Not hot, not warm, not freezing. Just cool. Fill it up to back-high on a chicken, then dip each chicken, one by one in water. BE CAREFUL!!!!! dont let their heads get in the water, and make sure its just enough to go over their backs. After you will have angry but cool chickens. (i've never used this method, I found it on another website)
LITTLE BEDDING:
Try not to let the bedding in the coop get over two inches, its traps the heat. Change it out often.
SHADE:
Make sure there is plenty of shade!! Plan ahead and make sure the coop has a large tree over it for after noon shade.
SPRAY DOWN DUST SPOTS:
In the after noon, spray down there dusting spots. Dont drench it, just dampent it
LIGHTS ON A 2:
If you have any artificial lights, hang them in the coop. Set a timer to turn them on at an early hour, say 2 am. this will give them time to get drinks when its still cool out. Turn off an hour later.
ROOF SPRINKLERS:
I know this sounds funny, but put a sprinkler on their roof. The water will evaporate, carrying away the heat. This method is extremely effective, but only try it if you have a generous amount of water on hand, and do not mind an excessive water bill.
ALRIGHT! I THINK THATS IT! if you have any more, please comment!
Last edited:
