How to keep my hens cool in the hot summer

[lilofthestars]

I have three hens now. I’m trying to keep them cool I bought a baby swimming pool put water in it. Put rocks that they could stand on and bricks where they can step up on. I even set them in there for a few minutes cause I know they cool off by their feet and legs. One of my young hens was breathing so heavy and her wings was expanding. I was a little bit worried For some reason. They just won’t go in the pool. Anybody have any ideas? Any help would be very much appreciated.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I've also had trouble getting mine to use certain foot pools. They seem to like terra cotta saucers (like what you'd put under a planter) best. The terra cotta cools just like a brick would, and you can keep the water very shallow. Get the largest one you can find. I still need to encourage mine to use it.

This is the one I have.

 

[BoundlessLove]

Here is a good article which may help you:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-extreme-weather-spiel.75893/

 

[rosemarythyme]

I've also had trouble getting mine to use certain foot pools. They seem to like terra cotta saucers (like what you'd put under a planter) best. The terra cotta cools just like a brick would, and you can keep the water very shallow. Get the largest one you can find. I still need to encourage mine to use it.

This is what I use. That said, I only have one hen that really loves fully standing in it, the rest don't go any further than toe tips in the water.

 

[lilofthestars]

Thank you

 

[thecatumbrella]

Honestly, a couple of my girls get so hot that I just bring them into my basement. I know it's not ideal, and it stresses them out quite a bit, but I'm not really sure what the alternative is other than to watch them suffer and hope for the best. And we do ALL the cooling tricks (shade, fans, cool water, etc.) Chicken keeping in summer is so brutal.