How do you keep chicks cool??

[Ruth Ann]

We have 11 chickens...and they are new pets for us.
They are all over 2 months now.
Have had them outside almost the whole time we got them.
Only inside at night when they were real small.
But now that summer is coming on, they seem so hot.
They sit around in the shade, with their mouths open. They appear to be
panting (if chickens pant)
Is there anything to do for them to keep them cool? I put a hunk of ice in their waterbowl
around noon each day so their water is cool.
We have a fan blowing on them in the run, but they don't seem to like that at all.
Will they be alright?
It is 90...and it stays hot like this most all sumer.

The are Buff orp...
Silver lace wyn...
and amber links

 

[Morgan7782]

Hello! I am in a hoooot climate as well and thought I would drop you a few tips

Chickens stay cool through their feet, like dogs, so you can dampen a portion of the run down with the hose for them to walk on the cool ground. I wouldn't spray the whole run, just so they have a choice

Chickens DO pant, just like dogs, and it isn't a bad thing just their way of cooling down.

I was also given a tip by a chicken friend, she fills a 2 liter soda bottle with water and then freezes it. Once frozen she puts the bottle in the run and the chickens will lean on it or stay near it to cool down.

Hope this helps!

P.S. Here it gets about 112/113 degrees as a usual summer day

 

[rungirl]

When the kids take them to fair, I freeze plastic soda bottles and 1/2 gallon milk jugs, filled with water and put them in the cages. At home, I just make sure they have shade and water.

 

[noodleroo]

Mine love the frozen soda bottle! I have one that is actually a juice bottle and has two flat areas to make it easier to handle. They take turns sitting on the flat areas! Smart chickens!