Heat

[Hawkssoccer2004]

How do you keep chickens cool when it’s in the high 90s? I gave them ice cubes with corn in them and I also gave them water with ice in it I’m not sure if there is anything else I can do for them

 

[RobertaD1]

I have cross ventilation set up in my coop. 1 large fan blows into the coop...while a box fan creates an exhaust, moving air out. It doesnt "cool" it a great deal, but it does move air. I also change the water in the 3 gallon wateres 2x a day... as well as a 1 gallon waterer that have electrolytes mixed in. Provide as MUCH DEEP shade as possible also! I have 2 shade cloths as well set up to help.

 

[aart]

To help cool down the coop I also have a box fan in the east window of coop, where it's shady most the day, and turn it on late afternoon...blows cooler air into coop and pushes hot air out.

To determine heat stress levels I go by activity level, if panting and wing holding seems extreme, I throw out a few treats to see if everyone is moving well.

I put out large shallow pans of ice cubes late afternoon, they walk in and sit on them and sip the water as it slowly melts...used to add water but they would gorge on too much too fast, I have seen a chicken suffer from an 'ice cream headache'.

Deep all day shade is best but....I don't have much of that.
This has worked very well to keep heat stress/stroke at bay:

I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves.
It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.
Can mix up a smaller amount, just wrap the packet tight and store in a dry cool place.
Always have plain water available too.

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.
Much more useful to the chickens than frozen foods and treats.

Make space in your freezer!

 

[Alaskan]

Aart gave great advice.

Does your coop have enough ventilation?

In a hot climate in the summer, a breeze blowing over the perches is a good thing.