HOT WEATHER FOR CHICKENS

[YumaJohnny]

I live in Southern Arizona where we get very very hot days. We are in the high 90's and low 100's for the last couple of weeks. My chickens are only 6 weeks old and are outside. They are in a covered coop but it still gets hot. ***TIP*** I took a cookie sheet (non-stick) and put it in the run of the coop. Fill it with water and the chickens love to walk in the water. But I noticed in the afternoon the water was very warm so... ***TIP #2*** I froze water in a 2 liter container and then lay it on it's side so when it warms up, the ice melts and put cool fresh water in the cookie sheet for the chickens to walk in. Works like a charm for them!!!

EXTRA TIP!!!Frozen or cold watermelon is also excellent for them to munch on during the day!

Hope this helps those in hot climates!

 

[Lady Henevere]

Thank you! This is good to know -- I'm worried about those 100+ days we'll get soon.

I better start saving up bottles to freeze....

 

[Teresaann24]

Thanks for the tips!!!

I always put Ice cubes in their water on really hot days. I also mist them with water.

 

[gocrow77]

If your coop has a metal roof you can squirt water from the hose on it a few times a day to cool it off a bit inside. We used to raise rabbits and did this for them on hot summer days - it can bring the inside temp down by 10 degrees or more.

 

[luvanimals3]

That is cool! I will try that. I love watermelon and will make sure they get some too! It is getting pretty toasty along with the humidity here. The barn stays cool but outside not so cool.

 

[Dogscatschickens]

I buy small re freezable ice packs, the type you put into coolers. Some of the hens really like to just sit on them. I put them in the shade, in or near their favorite dust hole. I tried the frozen bottles, but sometimes they broke open. The "chick packs" are easy to clean and freeze. I also will leave a hose trickling in a big bowl ( the dogs) and they like to come and stand around on the patio in the water. I am on a well, so its, not too expensive to do this.

 

[YumaJohnny]

Cool idea on the ice packs!

My coop for my 5 barred rocks is wood next to my small garden so when the garden is watered (auto watering) it helps to keep them a bit cooler also!

 

[Jolyn]

I added a mister to my run and i put a fan in the coop.

The water in the cookie sheets is a great idea.

It is true about the cold watermelon. My girls love it in the summer!!!

 

[LittleMamaBigPapa]

Awesome ideas. Wondered how I would keep my BOs cool in the hot Nebraska summers. So, if this works for you in HOT Arizona - my girls should be just fine!!!

THANK YOU

 

[lambchicks]

I have been saving paper containers, like OJ cartons and raisen containers. I have put water in them to freeze to have for hot days. I read here on BYC that someone did that with milk jugs, but I am not going to want to put a milk just that has been in the chicken run back in my freezer. so I think this litte variation will work best for me.
You all have some great ideas. Thanks for sharing.