Keeping Chickens Cool In a Heat Wave

[Starburst]

Hi, everyone! I hope this is in the right forum. Over here in Washington, we're expecting a heatwave 90+ degrees Fahrenheit this weekend. My chickens aren't used to heat like that. Usually for them, when it hits 70 degrees Fahrenheit, they start panting. I know chickens are pretty good at adjusting, but I'm pretty worried about how they'll be able to handle this heat. Does anyone have some tips on keeping them nice and cool? Their run and coop are situated under two massive cedars, so I think they'll get a good amount of shade. I'm also planning on putting ice in their water and refilling it often...but do you have any other suggestions? Also, would it be better to free-range them during the heatwave so they can find their own places to stay cool? Thanks!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Shade and footbaths.
90 is hot but given the right conditions and depending on what breeds one has, it may not be a problem.

 

[Spikeandbean]

I'm a very new chicken keeper, but we're looking at 102-110 temps for the next 4 or 5 days, so I feel your pain. My chickens are almost 8 weeks old and have done ok in the heat so far (mid 90s to low 100s since they went outside at 4 weeks). I have misters that I turn on periodically (inexpensive at Home Depot and they attach to my hose). Because the join isn't perfect, the hose leaks water when the misters are on, so I just angle that into a shady spot in their run. They enjoy walking in the pooling water. I also give them frozen watermelon and add water to their feed to make a mash in the evenings. I just put a fan out today to help keep the air moving. It's a learning process, but we just do the best we can for our friends!

Good luck!

 

[Yucca quail]

My quail and ducks have handled up to 120. Make sure they have sufficient water and shade. I don’t get too close to the quail because I don’t want them getting stressed when it’s hot. I usually put tons of ice out for the ducks. Goodluck

 

[Yucca quail]

Oh and no harm in putting some frozen water bottles out there

 

[Starburst]

Shade and footbaths.
90 is hot but given the right conditions and depending on what breeds one has, it may not be a problem.

Thank you! I am a little concerned about my chicken breeds, (Such as my Wyandotte, Australorp, and Buff Orpington )

 

[Starburst]

I'm a very new chicken keeper, but we're looking at 102-110 temps for the next 4 or 5 days, so I feel your pain. My chickens are almost 8 weeks old and have done ok in the heat so far (mid 90s to low 100s since they went outside at 4 weeks). I have misters that I turn on periodically (inexpensive at Home Depot and they attach to my hose). Because the join isn't perfect, the hose leaks water when the misters are on, so I just angle that into a shady spot in their run. They enjoy walking in the pooling water. I also give them frozen watermelon and add water to their feed to make a mash in the evenings. I just put a fan out today to help keep the air moving. It's a learning process, but we just do the best we can for our friends!

Good luck!

Thanks! I'll definitely be freezing some fruit for them...all of your tips are great! Thanks again!

 

[Starburst]

My quail and ducks have handled up to 120. Make sure they have sufficient water and shade. I don’t get too close to the quail because I don’t want them getting stressed when it’s hot. I usually put tons of ice out for the ducks. Goodluck

Thanks! I'm going to give them as much water and shade as I can.

 

[Spikeandbean]

Thank you! I am a little concerned about my chicken breeds, (Such as my Wyandotte, Australorp, and Buff Orpington )

Mine dig down to make dirt "nests" during the early afternoons, which I can imagine is a bit cooler than the surface. If you have free ranging options with some natural shade, there's a good chance they'll find good spots to nestle in during the worst of it! My weather app says a high of 115 in Northern CA for Wed(!) - it's a higher estimate than other sites of checked, though, so I'm hoping it won't be that bad... This west coast heat wave is no joke!

 

[NatJ]

Also, would it be better to free-range them during the heatwave so they can find their own places to stay cool?

Yes, free-ranging can help them cope better with the heat. Chickens are fairly good at finding what spots are cool (and it's not always the ones the people would think of.)

But, it really depends on the predators on your area--running from predators doesn't keep them cool, and no amount of shade will help a chicken that's been eaten by something.

So you'll have to make the final decision about whether predators vs. heat are more dangerous to your chickens right now.