Is it necessary to cool your chickens?

[Jewellan]

I was wondering just how concerned you should be about cooling down your chickens? Though I love them dearly, and do not want them to suffer, I wonder what temps it has to reach before you become concerned about their health. Mine are two months old and it was not too long ago that I had them in a brooder that was 95 degrees. Can Chickens survive the heat without interference from us humans? 100 degrees here today.

 

[MeepBeep]

Give them lots of water (best if the water is cooler then the air) and a place out of the direct sun and don't keep them in an enclosed coop that has turned into an oven because it lacks proper ventilation and they should be fine...

 

[Jewellan]

They are in a totally shaded area. With a shaving floor but a screened in porch. the breeze blows in their direction.



I know they are not happy, but I don't have another solution for them. I can't let them out they are really good flyers and I have too many things in the yard that they can jump up on .... and then fly over the fence. I put Ice in their water container. I know they are not old enough to clip their wings so I don't have much of a choice

 

[Blooie]

They'll go crazy for cold watermelon. You can also use packaged frozen veggies....I did what someone suggested on here and put a dab of 3 different veggies in ice cube trays with water. I toss some of the frozen cubes in the run and the poster was 100% right - they are totally entertained trying to get the corn, peas, and lima beans and it cools them off quite well.

Edited to add: Chickens handle cold better than heat....if they are panting with their mouths open and spreading their wings they are trying to cool off. That should help you determine when the heat is too much for them.