Hot weather and Chickens

[dkissler]

It has been a very warm summer so far here in Colorado and I am worried about my chickens. We have had about 3-4 days in the mid-90s and have 4-5 more days in the mid-90s before we get a small cool down to the 80s. I have a barred rock who is consistently panting throughout the day and am worried about her. I have 4 other chickens who seem to be doing alright with the heat. All of the chickens have access to 3 different water sources, they have shade all over the yard, I try to give them cool treats at the hottest part of the day such as watermelon, frozen, watermelon, yogurt, and spraying down the dirty patches where they like to lay in the shade. What else can I do to cool down my barred rock? I know they dunking her in water wouldn't be a fiasco but if I need to I certainly will do it. Can anyone please give me more ideas about how to cool them down and when I need to start panicking about my panting barred rock.

Thanks,
Worried Chicken Mama

 

[iwiw60]

Have you put electrolytes in their drinking water?

 

[dkissler]

I have not been using electrolytes. I will give that a shot. Is it something I can make on my own or need to be purchased at a store?

 

[sourland]

You can put ice in their water or refresh their water several times a day with cold water.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! There are several nice threads with a lot of tips https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/788391/keeping-chickens-cool-in-summer-heat and https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/544237/how-to-keep-chickens-cool-in-the-heat-tips-wanted

 

[iwiw60]

I have not been using electrolytes. I will give that a shot. Is it something I can make on my own or need to be purchased at a store?

Here's a great page for you:

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/search?q=electrolytes

 

[Duckopolis]

Good luck with your poultry raising adventures, and I hope you find everything you need to know. Don't forget to take a look at BYC's very useful learning center (If you haven't already)! The learning center as well as the forum should answer your questions! There is always something new to learn! Glad to have you here! See you around with the flock.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Definitely follow the links that Kelsie has left for you. Lots of great tips from our members on keeping chickens cool in the summer heat. Just make sure to keep their water cool and available at all times, hose their area down and if you are not already using sand, you might switch over. I use sand and love it. You can hose it down in the summer and it keeps the birds incredibly cool. It is easy to clean, no smells or flies, and the chickens love to scratch and bathe in it. When I see my birds pant, I hose my sand down, turn it over a bit and instant cool feet! Here is a nice link for using sand it you are considering it...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/444759/got-sand-you-should

Enjoy all that life has to offer and welcome to our flock!