It's going to be 99 today in NC, 90% humidity - what are ya'll doing to keep your chickens cool today?

[flocklady]

Mine have been finding refuge in the woods, they barely come out into the sunny areas. I give them watermelon every day and make sure they have fresh water.

I give mine watermelon everyday too the rinds anyway I send my husband to work with a bowl so they get the scraps it very hot here I leave some for my special crow now that we've had a conversation to stay away from my eggs lol you really need to have some kind of shrub or group of trees that can offer refuge from the sun traveler palms if South hydrangeas if North are probably easiest for me

 

[The Birb King]

Its been like 90 degrees for the past few days. They do pretty good just staying in the shady areas. I also make sure they always have fresh cold water.

 

[FrostRanger]

I just make sure they have plenty of shade and water including electrolyte water as I've observed that it makes a big difference with how stressed they get from the heat. They also get water rich snacks like melon, cabbage and fermented feed
They also have several foot baths to help them cool off as well

 

[Virginiachickens]

Thanks for all this! Mine don’t go into shallow trays filled with water, is there any way I can encourage that? I’ll try the ice and electrolytes too. Been doing the fan and frozen treats. They have shade but look so hot.

 

[FrostRanger]

You can place chunks of fruit or vegetables in them to see if that persuades them

 

[atisa01]

Thanks for all this! Mine don’t go into shallow trays filled with water, is there any way I can encourage that? I’ll try the ice and electrolytes too. Been doing the fan and frozen treats. They have shade but look so hot.

Place some of the frozen treats on a paver brick in the shallow tray. Make sure to fill a drink bottle with water and freeze it to put in the tray also. It will take a few days for them to figure out the brick it cooling to their feet.

 

[thistlewick]

oooh but once they figure it out, they freakin LOVE it - they crowd around me when I bring out the ice hahah

 

[Virginiachickens]

Thanks all!