How to keep chickens cool?

[HappyClucker7]

We're going through a heatwave where I live right now, and my chickens are definitely not happy. They have lots of shade and water, but I want to do more for them. What are some good ways to keep them cool?

 

[bradymars]

Water down a spot in there pens or if free ranged water an area down in the shade so they can cool down. You can also feed soaked oats for moisture

 

[aart]

To help cool down the coop I also have a box fan in the east window of coop, where it's shady most the day, and turn it on late afternoon...blows cooler air into coop and pushes hot air out.



To determine heat stress levels I go by activity level, if panting and wing holding seems extreme, I throw out a few treats to see if everyone is moving well.

Deep all day shade is best but....I don't have much of that.
This has worked very well to keep heat stress/stroke at bay:

I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves.
It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.
Can mix up a smaller amount, just wrap the packet tight and store in a dry cool place.
Always have plain water available too.

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.
Much more useful to the chickens than frozen foods and treats.

Make space in your freezer!

 

[Alaskan]

To help cool down the coop I also have a box fan in the east window of coop, where it's shady most the day, and turn it on late afternoon...blows cooler air into coop and pushes hot air out.



To determine heat stress levels I go by activity level, if panting and wing holding seems extreme, I throw out a few treats to see if everyone is moving well.

Deep all day shade is best but....I don't have much of that.
This has worked very well to keep heat stress/stroke at bay:

I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves.
It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.
Can mix up a smaller amount, just wrap the packet tight and store in a dry cool place.
Always have plain water available too.

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.
Much more useful to the chickens than frozen foods and treats.

Make space in your freezer!

Great advice.

Also... does your coop have enough ventilation?

In hot climates, at least in the summer, wind blowing over the roosts is a GOOD thing.

 

[HappyClucker7]

That you all for your replies. My coop does have very good ventilation, and it's always nice and shady in there. It's going to be over 90 degrees today, so I put out some extra water. I put some vitamins in one of the waterers. I'm going to put out a big plastic bottle filled with ice for them to sit against. I'll also give them some cool treats. Hopefully that helps them to not over heat.

 

[bradymars]

Best thing to do is water down a depression in the ground and spray your chickens down several times a day. I live in the desert and our water comes out warm so it doesn’t shock them. Just make several passes to slowly wet them down. Also like I keep saying is feed them soaked whole oats for extra moisture. If there in pens this works good if not have an area we’re you can keep the ground damp and plenty of shade. extra work but if your going to keep chickens through the heat you need to be diligent

 

[Alyssa-Bee]

Wow, this was helpful for me too! We have a heat wave now too... supposed to get over 100f today, and tomorrow!

 

[bradymars]

We’re hitting 115 today and 117 tomorrow in Phoenix Az.

 

[Alyssa-Bee]

We’re hitting 115 today and 117 tomorrow in Phoenix Az.

Youch! Good luck!

 

[HappyClucker7]

It's pretty hot here too. I'm going to give the chickens some watermelon and soaked oats today.