How do you help chickens beat the heat in summer

[RebeccaRN]

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.

They are only 15 weeks old

 

[Parront]

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.

This is the fastest way. Or just go to Costco, they have it, too.

 

[Parront]

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!!!

At least 48% is not 100%! Try it, what have you got to loose!

 

[Parront]

I have even run the lawn sprinkler when I lived in Riverside, in HOT So. Cal.

 

[IamRainey]

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're right! That's a bad sign. Another thing they'll do is hold their wings up as long as they can to expose more of their bodies to cooling air.

Go find that ice house! If you have trouble locating large blocks put out a pan of whatever ice you can find. You'll just have to replace it more often.

Have you got fans? If you need them the good news is that they're relatively inexpensive. And if a hardware or home goods store near you doesn't have them in stock you can get them fast from Amazon. (I very rarely recommend Amazon but you want to cool your flock off and you can count on Amazon to have the fastest delivery available.)

High water content items like watermelon, cucumbers and berries are good choices.

 

[RebeccaRN]

You're right! That's a bad sign. Another thing they'll do is hold their wings up to expose more of their bodies to cooling air.

Go find that ice house. Have you got fans? If you need them, the good news is that they're relatively inexpensive. And if a hardware or home goods store near you doesn't have them in stock you can get them fast from Amazon. (I very rarely recommend Amazon but you want to cool your flock off and you can count on
Amazon to have the fastest delivery available.)

I have 2 fans in their house at night since they are closed in. It has a window in front that I keep open and run the 2 small but powerful fans at night. It doesn't cool off much at night

 

[RebeccaRN]

I have even run the lawn sprinkler when I lived in Riverside, in HOT So. Cal.

I go out a couple times a day and wet down parts of their fenced in area and around my 1/2 acre back yard where they like to go the most. I keep a few fresh filled waterers around my yard for when they are out free ranging also

 

[Parront]

They are only 15 weeks old

Even if they are not laying yet, getting too hot will cause them problems. More than any other thing, chickens will have problems in heat.

 

[Parront]

I go out a couple times a day and wet down parts of their fenced in area and around my 1/2 acre back yard where they like to go the most. I keep a few fresh filled waterers around my yard for when they are out free ranging also

Some ice cubes in the waterer helps, too.

 

[RebeccaRN]

Luckily I have tons of trees so my back yard is mostly shaded also