I think my chickens are too getting hot, how to keep them cool??

[Jeeper1540]

I have 7 hens and 3 pullets and they have their mouths open like they are panting and their wings are kinda open so air can go under them [i think] The adults are in the house (which has a fan) and the babies (3 mos) are outside under the ramp in the shade. the ducks are fine, as they have a pool but is there anyway to keep them cool? its not even 90 right now, but it can get to 100 sometimes, so i would like to know if you have any ideas. i though maybe a waterer outside, but they can drink from the duck pool and dont mind it. any suggestions??

 

[cterbizan]

You can freeze a few 2 liter bottles of water and let them cuddle with them. I have put a deep pan if ice and cold water in it and they like to walk through it and drink it.

 

[Jeeper1540]

ok i'll try that. Thanks!

 

[The Chicken People]

Shade and lots of cold water! I even put a fan in their coop and run but I anchor it down with tent stakes so it cant come loose and be knocked over!

 

[Tigerjane]

A number of members have posted about using misting systems in their coops, the kind you can get at any big box store/hardware store. Supposedly they keep the temp down about 20 degrees. I saw one posted on Home Depot for $41, and I'm sure there's places even cheaper.

Correction: in their runs

 

[RedfogsFlock]

Well I went to Walmart and bought two of those $10 misting systems. You can get one for $20 that is expandable. Anywho mine are set 3 foot off the ground and run the outer perimeter of the coops. Then I have a 24 inch steel fan hangin from the roof in the corner pointing downwards towards the ground. We have a lot of birds, and when it reaches 110 or above like today they ALL sit under the misters.

Haven't lost a hen, roo, duck, turkey, goose, rabbit, or goat yet!

 

[teach1rusl]

Find some way to shade part of their run...tarps, wooden horses w/a sheet of plywood across them...something. When it gets into the 90s here, I empty the ice bin into their waterer for the day. I've tried the jug of frozen water several times, by mine kind of avoid them...same goes for a mister.

You can always add a fan to the coop...I have two in mine. Good luck!

 

[FlyingFChick]

I shade their run with a sheet attached to the top. Tried a tarp, but it seems to hold the heat in. I also have about 4 or 5 20oz pop bottles that I keep in the freezer. I add them to their water a few times a day when it's hot. That seems to help a bit!

I also give them cold treats from the fridge like watermelon or grapes. They LOVE frozen peas!

 

[teach1rusl]

Find some way to shade part of their run...tarps, wooden horses w/a sheet of plywood across them...something. When it gets into the 90s here, I empty the ice bin into their waterer for the day. I've tried the jug of frozen water several times, by mine kind of avoid them...same goes for a mister.

You can always add a fan to the coop...I have two in mine. Good luck!

 

[bufforphfan]

I use bamboo reed fencing which is usually available in the garden section of places like Home Depot. It provides shade and allows air to flow through it also. I cover the top of the run with it and the sunny side of the run also. The fencing is light weight, about 6ft tall X 15 ft long, and can be stored and reused each summer. It is 108 deg F here today. I also have a bed of slightly damp sand in the run that they like to wallow out and lay in to keep cool.