Keeping chickens cool in the summer?

[Savanna’s chickens]

we sprayed ours down with the hose and freezing something like watermelon and putting it out there would help, also put ice in the water, ive seen people put corn and water in muffin tins and freezing it too

 

[Goldie14]

Chickens can help themselves very well if you free range them and give them a yard with lots of trees and bushes. Summer in California can reach 100+ degrees. You won't find my girls during the heat because they hide in the shades of my orange trees. They each dig a hole about 4 to 8 inches deep and 12 inches round into the root zone of the trees (I have sandy soil that makes the digging easy), completely bury themselves in the holes.... and nap very comfortably in there. The only problem is the orange trees bear a lot less fruit as a result of their digging.

 

[pamonarch]

oh no.i let then out though their large runs to free range everday..even on rainy days, they go back in the coop when they want to...or under my porch lol

Are you saying that your flock stays in the coop 24/7?? You don't have an outdoor run area?

 

[pamonarch]

i have 3 acres of land they they roam about as they please...makes for great eggs! chickens really do know best when it comes to eating...plus when they go in the coop they have layer feed and fresh water all day long!!

 

[deepbluesea]

Chickens can help themselves very well if you free range them and give them a yard with lots of trees and bushes. Summer in California can reach 100+ degrees. You won't find my girls during the heat because they hide in the shades of my orange trees. They each dig a hole about 4 to 8 inches deep and 12 inches round into the root zone of the trees (I have sandy soil that makes the digging easy), completely bury themselves in the holes.... and nap very comfortably in there. The only problem is the orange trees bear a lot less fruit as a result of their digging.

My ladies do this as well, in my overgrown hedge and around my pine and pecan trees. They wallow down into the pine needles and hang out in the shade all afternoon. I still put ice cubes in water and give them watermelon slices, etc. but they do ok with the shade.

 

[slheier]

When my friend Jackie moved away, she was selling her water cooler. I bought it for $50...at the time I didn't think much about it. My first thought was to use it on our back deck, which is very hot during the summer months. We don't really sit out there much during the summer. My second thought, which was a great idea, was to use the water cooler for my chickens. I put water in the lower pan (refill as needed) and turn it on. They hang out right in front of it and move back and forth towards other parts of the run when they choose. It's been one of the best garage sale items that I've come across. This is our third year to use it and when it gives out, I'll get another one!

I also use a swamp cooler that turns on at noon and off at 7pm at night as I live in Arizona and it is already hot for my 8 week only chicks.

 

[Racertaz]

Chicken's regulate their body temp through their feet. Putting the frozen water jugs on the floor is a great way to help them. Also, freeze some fruit or corn in muffin tins and give as treats.