How Do I Keep Chickens Cool In Summer

[Paige And Hens]

My chickens usually have there mouths wide open and one of mine have there mouth open and there wings slightly spread out. I put ice cubes in there water and put some cold water on there back and rub them with water to help. And sometimes they have shade depending where the Sun is.... They don't like lettuce for some reason and One of mine named 'red' Gets sick when I feed her new treats like watermelon Should I get a kitty pool ? Or will they just poop all in it and I have to clean it out everyyyyyy day....

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

You could try freezing some treats Red can eat. Chop up some blueberries and strawberries and freeze them in an ice cube try with water.

 

[Hamiam]

Welcome to BYC. Where do you live? Here in North Texas it has been extremely hot! You should make sure there is always shade. Even something like a temporary tarp type shelter in their run. It doesn't have to been very tall. Just something they can get under for shade. In the mornings, I wet down the areas they like to lay around on in the heat of the day. I freeze water bottles & put one inside the waterer mid day. I freeze a jug of water & place it in front of a small fan pointed towards them. A friend of mine just puts the frozen jug in the run & the chickens stand around it or lay on the cooler ground nearby due to condensation. At the end of the day, I just hose off the jug & place in a clean plastic bag & place back in the freezer for the next day. They don't eat much in the heat of the day but if I pour some cool water on their feed they will eat some. They act like its a great treat. However, don't do too much at a time. What they don't eat should be thrown out at the end of the day. Chickens shouldn't eat old wet or molded feed. The most important thing is fresh clean cool water. Water is how chickens cool themselves. The panting & wings lifted away from their bodies is normal when they are hot. Sounds like your doing a good job. Use the search to find articles related & search forums for others discussing this topic.

 

[Paige And Hens]

Welcome to BYC. Where do you live? Here in North Texas it has been extremely hot! You should make sure there is always shade. Even something like a temporary tarp type shelter in their run. It doesn't have to been very tall. Just something they can get under for shade. In the mornings, I wet down the areas they like to lay around on in the heat of the day. I freeze water bottles & put one inside the waterer mid day. I freeze a jug of water & place it in front of a small fan pointed towards them. A friend of mine just puts the frozen jug in the run & the chickens stand around it or lay on the cooler ground nearby due to condensation. At the end of the day, I just hose off the jug & place in a clean plastic bag & place back in the freezer for the next day. They don't eat much in the heat of the day but if I pour some cool water on their feed they will eat some. They act like its a great treat. However, don't do too much at a time. What they don't eat should be thrown out at the end of the day. Chickens shouldn't eat old wet or molded feed. The most important thing is fresh clean cool water. Water is how chickens cool themselves. The panting & wings lifted away from their bodies is normal when they are hot. Sounds like your doing a good job. Use the search to find articles related & search forums for others discussing this topic.

I live in Washington State and sometimes the summers we have are super Hot to where you start sweating right when you walk out the door, other times it takes 20 minutes to start sweating if you go outside. But it does rain at night sometimes. My family use A LOT of milk so I'll try the frozen milk jug! Thanks for your reply And I'll sure do the search thing! xD

 

[Paige And Hens]

You could try freezing some treats Red can eat. Chop up some blueberries and strawberries and freeze them in an ice cube try with water.

I might have to EAT that myself! I'm scared to give Red new treats because like I said I gave her watermelon once and the others loved it, she loved it to but the next day she became sick I'll try the strawberry ice cube thing! Thanks for your help!

 

[Hamiam]

I live in Washington State and sometimes the summers we have are super Hot to where you start sweating right when you walk out the door, other times it takes 20 minutes to start sweating if you go outside. But it does rain at night sometimes. My family use A LOT of milk so I'll try the frozen milk jug! Thanks for your reply And I'll sure do the search thing! xD

Your Welcome. Humidity, I know exactly what you mean! Our temps can be in the 90's but with the humidity, our heat index is well over 100.

 

[azurbanclucker]

Wading pool. misters, fans, shade and plenty of cool water. keeps birds alive in AZ summers, it'll keep your birds alive in the PNW. If they're on grass, mist the grass down. The birds aren't fond of getting wet themselves, but they'll lay on a damp patch of grass to cool off. Ice blocks in the run and cold treats.

Yes, you have to change the water in the wading pool occasionally, but chickens dissipate heat through their feet so having a cool place to soak their tootsies is crucial.