How to cool down hot chikens

[SeaAngler]

It's not that hot here yet it's about 90 degrees fahrenheit and the girls are getting hot they are taking a lot of dust baths but what are some other ways to cool them down

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you? Climate matters (and I'm guessing yours is a hot one because we hot-climate people are the only ones who think of 90 as "not that hot").

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hot-climate-chicken-housing-and-care.77263/

Shade, ventilation, and water. If the onset of heat is sudden it's harder to adjust to than a gradual rise in temperature. Electrolytes might be helpful but should be offered in addition to plain water rather than instead of plain water.

 

[SeaAngler]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you? Climate matters (and I'm guessing yours is a hot one because we hot-climate people are the only ones who think of 90 as "not that hot").

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hot-climate-chicken-housing-and-care.77263/

Shade, ventilation, and water. If the onset of heat is sudden it's harder to adjust to than a gradual rise in temperature. Electrolytes might be helpful but should be offered in addition to plain water rather than instead of plain water.

I'm in south east Texas. I do give electrolytes and they do have shade it does get gradually hotter here so would ice in the water help or frozen fruit like water melon.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

Agree with the above advice. Dust baths are also helpful.

You may also want to give them access to some shallow water…a kiddie pool with an inch or so of water on the bottom. Some may choose to stand in it to cool their feet (and others may give that a “no thanks”).

 

[3KillerBs]

I don't mess with ice in the water myself because I don't want them to be dependent on something I can't provide consistently.

Some people do use ice quite successfully and I *would* use ice IF the heat wave came on suddenly -- like having temps in the 90's after weeks of temps in the 50's and 60's.

 

[Isadora]

I haven't had extreme heat but one of my friends likes to put an inch or two of water in a shallow tray with some ice cubes during the hottest part of the day out in the run where it didn't matter of it spilled. Her chickens liked to stand in it to cool down.