is wetting chickens an OK way of keeping them cool.

[bird bites my feet 4 fun]

I have a young rooster who i think has heatstroke, its very hot in nz right now and if seen chickens be overheated before. I wanted to know if wetting his feathers and putting him in front of a fan is ok for him to cool him down, he seems to enjoy it along with standing on his ice pack (he is a tiny bantam)

 

[Aunt Angus]

I have a young rooster who i think has heatstroke, its very hot in nz right now and if seen chickens be overheated before. I wanted to know if wetting his feathers and putting him in front of a fan is ok for him to cool him down, he seems to enjoy it along with standing on his ice pack (he is a tiny bantam)

You can. I've dunked them up to their neck when they are showing signs of heat stress. But there are easier ways.

• Give wading ponds (shallow pans) with cold or ice water for them to walk in
• Fans (like you mention)
• Misters, if it's a dry heat
• Cold treats, like watermelon frozen fruit
• Lots of water containers to encourage drinking more
• Electrolytes in their water
• Deep shade they can relax in

My chickens LOVE a sprinkler head on very low. I mean LOVE it.

How hot? I'm curious, being in the US.

 

[Lori J]

I have a young rooster who i think has heatstroke, its very hot in nz right now and if seen chickens be overheated before. I wanted to know if wetting his feathers and putting him in front of a fan is ok for him to cool him down, he seems to enjoy it along with standing on his ice pack (he is a tiny bantam)

I would not wet them. Their downy feathers beneath their normal feathers needs to be dry in order to help regulate temperature/keep them cool. Once i had a hen who seemed to have heatstroke, so i brought her in, gave her water and put a fan on her. She recovered quickly.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I would not wet them. Their downy feathers beneath their normal feathers needs to be dry in order to help regulate temperature/keep them cool. Once i had a hen who seemed to have heatstroke, so i brought her in, gave her water and put a fan on her. She recovered quickly.

They dry quick enough in a dry heat. It's saved my girls more than once, but I only do it when they're in dire straits. But I agree - it's not necessary if you have other means.

My coop now has A/C.

 

[room onthebroom]

Chickens don’t like to be wet. Maybe a shallow pan of water for him to keep his feet cool would be nice, or you could install misters.

If you feel you absolutely have to give him a little dip in water make sure that;

-The water is room temperature that has been sitting outside in a bucket for a while & has acclimated to the heat. Water coming out of a hose or tap is colder than you think it is & the temperature shock could be life threatening.

-Don’t get his head wet.

-Don’t do it before he goes to bed.

-Consider not doing it at all. (See bellow)

Try to give him more natural ways to cool off like lots of shade, a cool dirt hole in the shade, cool snacks like watermelon or chilled, chopped up grapes, or frozen peas.

Make sure he has extra waterers & that you refresh them multiple times during the day. Keep your eye on the sun & move waterers & snacks to shady areas as the sun movies.

It gets extremely hot here during Southern California summers & misters are a life saver without getting the birds soaking wet or straining your water bill. Good luck!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Really. They're fine if you get them wet. I promise. But try other things first.

 

[room onthebroom]

Mine also love a hose in the shade left on a tiny trickle.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Mine also love a hose in the shade left on a tiny trickle.

Mine, too. So much so I've thought about giving them a "fountain" in their yard year round.

 

[CovidtimeQuail]

They dry quick enough in a dry heat. It's saved my girls more than once, but I only do it when they're in dire straits. But I agree - it's not necessary if you have other means.

My coop now has A/C.

Can I be one of your chickens? I'd love A/C

 

[Aunt Angus]

Can I be one of your chickens? I'd love A/C

When I got my chickens, I picked really pretty ones without taking my climate into consideration. My poor Cochin really suffers - so much so I thought about rehoming her. She's nearly died on me a couple of times. I've since moved and 115°F summers are a thing of the past. But she doesn't well in the 90's, either. Not on death's door, but definitely not happy. So I got her an air conditioner.