How do you help chickens beat the heat in summer

[RebeccaRN]

I live in Oklahome where the summers are jot and very humid. What types of things can you do to help chickens survive and thrive during smoldering hot days. Their coop and run is 90% shaded, I make them ice treats and have a small pool that I fill a couple inches with fresh cold water daily to stand in. I was thinking of placing a misting hose along part of the fence, has anyone done that before?

 

[IamRainey]

In my opinion access to water, shade and airflow are the most important things. Sounds like you've got the shade part covered. My neighbors cut down a huge tree that was a good part of my flock's shade. I had to add a generous, double layer shade cloth overhang but that did the trick.

Second thing I do for them is have fans supplementing the airflow in the run. My run is about 8' x 14'. I have one box fan on a short side and two on one of the long sides so that there's a strong air current they can choose to expose themselves to or avoid.

When it goes much above the triple digits I bring in 5# blocks of ice. Five pounds can hold up fairly well through the worst part of the day here in SoCal. Fortunately, when the sun goes down our temps drop very quickly.

If I were smarter I would have chosen heat resistant breeds. Prob is, now that I know that's what I should be doing, I still don't care for how they look. I'm struggling with that.

 

[Chicken Chicken Love]

I give my chicks juicy and cold or frozen treats as well as have a fan in their coop

 

[RebeccaRN]

In my opinion access to water, shade and airflow are the most important things. Sounds like you've got the shade part covered. My neighbors cut down a huge tree that was a good part of my flock's shade. I had to add a generous, double layer shade cloth overhang but that did the trick.

Second thing I do for them is have fans supplementing the airflow in the run. My run is about 8' x 14'. I have one box fan on a short side and two on one of the long sides so that there's a strong air current they can choose to expose themselves to or avoid.

When it goes much above the triple digits I bring in 5# blocks of ice. Five pounds can hold up fairly well through the worst part of the day here in SoCal. Fortunately, when the sun goes down our temps drop very quickly.

If I were smarter I would have chosen heat resistant breeds. Prob is, now that I know that's what I should be doing, I still don't care for how they look. I'm struggling with that.

I have austrolorps and orpingtons. Where do you buy blocks of ice?

 

[RebeccaRN]

I give my chicks juicy and cold or frozen treats as well as have a fan in their coop

Mine have an approximately 20 x 40 ft fenced in run and they also free range part of the day. I do bring them frozen treats and watermelon

 

[Parront]

I have austrolorps and orpingtons. Where do you buy blocks of ice?

I freeze my own using cut down plastic milk jugs.

 

[RebeccaRN]

I dont like seeing them breathing with their beaks open, it makes me think they are too hot. I'm new to this and want to do everything possible to keep them comfortable in this gawd awful heat

 

[IamRainey]

I have austrolorps and orpingtons. Where do you buy blocks of ice?

I get it from a small independent grocer but there should be a retailer where you are. Check your Yellow Pages or google "ice near me". There's someone selling to retailers.

 

[Parront]

I dont like seeing them breathing with their beaks open, it makes me think they are too hot. I'm new to this and want to do everything possible to keep them comfortable in this gawd awful heat

You are right -- that means they are too hot. Do what you can to make them more comfortable, even if they live, the do not lay eggs while panting.

 

[RebeccaRN]

I guess I'll try the misting hose and see if they like it or not. It was/is 93 today with 48% humidity ugh!!!