Heat

[chickenwoman1405]

It has been really hot in PA lately like up in the 105 degrees and my chickens have been really hot and panting so does anyone have any suggestions for keeping them cool?

 

[nchls school]

It has been really hot in PA lately like up in the 105 degrees and my chickens have been really hot and panting so does anyone have any suggestions for keeping them cool?

Temperatures here in Tennessee have been about the same. Many of the birds are finding it hard to beat the heat. I've set out water pans throughout the yard and pens that I refresh at noon and 3. I'm feeding a lot of veggies and fruit. A large fan has been installed in the coop screened window and many of the birds have been spending most of the day on the roost near the fan. A kiddie pool has been set up for the call ducks and the turkeys who like to cool their toes by wading. Our yard is also heavily shaded in areas and that helps.

 

[Sunshine_Chick]

Freeze water bottles & put inside their waterers. Wet their food & keep in the fridge so you're feeding them chilled mash. Hose down the ground & any bushes all around them. Give them electrolytes. Keep them in the shade. Cold juicy fruit is usually much appreciated.

 

[aart]

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!

 

[hayley3]

I dunk any panters in the duck's kiddie pool.

 

[neo71665]

I freeze blocks of ice the same way as aart and put them out for my animals.

I'm lucky enough the fire dept I volunteer at also has an ice machine so I fill up my cooler about every other day. The coons like cubed ice better than the blocks. My chickens and German Shepard like blocks.

 

[LJ33]

Its 103 in SE Wisconsin with 60% humidity. Been like this for weeks. This morning it was 80 with 85 % humidity. Feels like a darn jungle. The girls are miserable.

I don't have deep shade. But the coop is raised (6X4) so that is always shaded. They have 6 foot fence on 2 sides and the house on 2 other side and my big maple trees in the front yard help with shade. There is always shade in some area or another throughout the day.

Been doing a cold pool ( using a rectangle tote lid and 1-2 inches of water)
Frozen jugs under the coop
hosing down the ground.

Right now I have the sprayer on "shower" setting in front of a gallon jug of ice. Thankfully the wind has picked up a bit, so its creating a cooling fan / air toward the most shaded area.

they have been panting as per usual on these hot days and a couple have been holding their wings out too.

I sprayed down their fav dirt bath spot to create a mud bath spot.

They also will be getting some frozen blue berries once I hit send.

Have a great day and stay cool everyone!