cooling off your chickens

[sayccrn]

It's very hot in GA today, the only one that seems to mind it is my brown leghorn. They have a tarp cover pvc tractor wit the ends open in the direction of the wind. every hour i add ice to their water, I put a pan of shallow water with in it for her, I even made a berry smoothie. the leghorn just walked through the smoothie and no one is really taking advantage of anything but the water. I do not have shade and I think I need to get a fan. what fan setups do you all have? Is there a fan you really like and works well? I was maybe wanting one with a light too, and a clip for their coop. What set ups and what do you all do to get them to enjoy their treats> So far, I think my chickens are from another planet, they don't even like lettuce!

 

[igorsMistress]

Hi there. More shade, if you don't have it make it; try a puddle of water, toss some ice in it or cut down a kiddie pool and make a puddle in that. Wading in cool water will help a lot. Cool, moist dirt to bathe in is nice too.

For treats try some watermelon and cucumbers. These have extra water in them. Also, add a packet of Save A Chick to a gallon of water, but make sure they also have plain water available. You can also wet their feed.

 

[sayccrn]

Hi there. More shade, if you don't have it make it; try a puddle of water, toss some ice in it or cut down a kiddie pool and make a puddle in that. Wading in cool water will help a lot. Cool, moist dirt to bathe in is nice too.

For treats try some watermelon and cucumbers. These have extra water in them. Also, add a packet of Save A Chick to a gallon of water, but make sure they also have plain water available. You can also wet their feed.

Thank you! I have done all of this. It's only the one chick, and they don't seem to know what to do with anything. They won't wade, they won't eat their treats. I had to chase her around with the garden house every hour yesterday, now they are all scared of me.

 

[Coffeewastedmomma]

I have placed a garden sprinkler near the coop/run.
I just put it on mist so the wind blows the cool air toward them. Not strong enough or close enough to soak them or the run.
Mine are terrified of the water and run for shelter but the mist setting seems to pique their curiosity.

 

[rayrose]

I feed mine cold cottage cheese. They gobble it up like ice cream. It helps to cool them off.

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

I feed mine peaches and yoghurt frozen in an icecube tray. I call it bokity-fro-yo.
It helps them cool down and they LOVE the yoghurt.

 

[MrLeeHo]

I like to throw an ear of corn in the freezer. My girls love it, they peck it a few times as soon as i give it to them, then about 5 mins later when it has softened just enough they destroy it. They live watermelon as well.

 

[sayccrn]

I have placed a garden sprinkler near the coop/run.
I just put it on mist so the wind blows the cool air toward them. Not strong enough or close enough to soak them or the run.
Mine are terrified of the water and run for shelter but the mist setting seems to pique their curiosity.

Now that's an idea, thanks so much. I will try that today.

 

[sayccrn]

I feed mine cold cottage cheese. They gobble it up like ice cream. It helps to cool them off.

I think my chicks are still too young to appreciate real food. they do not touch anything I try to offer them. They don't have a clue what to do with it all. I mean what chicken doesn't like lettuce, peas, berries, corn?

 

[sayccrn]

I like to throw an ear of corn in the freezer. My girls love it, they peck it a few times as soon as i give it to them, then about 5 mins later when it has softened just enough they destroy it. They live watermelon as well.

I haven't tried watermelon yet. But I have corn, and they look at it like it's monster. I also heard corn is not good when it's hot, that it increases their temp? Not sure, just saying what I read somewhere.