Keeping cool

[Invergrove]

Hi everyone, I live in Florida and it can get pretty hot and humid. Any suggestions on what I can do to help keep my flock cool and happy? This will be my first summer with chickens. I've got a box fan pulling a draft through the coop. Need ideas for the run. Thanx

Hi everyone, I live in Florida and it can get pretty hot and humid. Any suggestions on what I can do to help keep my flock cool and happy? This will be my first summer with chickens. I've got a box fan pulling a draft through the coop. Need ideas for the run. Thanx

My first summer too, and it's going to be 100 in Minnesota today -- Yikes. I am freezing small blocks of ice and adding mealworms and other treats as it freezes. And I have a mister next to the pen (oh god don't get me wet!!) but it does keep the ground cooler too. They definitely don't want this heat but they're surviving. Ice cubes are also a good idea. Addition: It's gone up to 98" today. I used the mister next to their yard and although they weren't sure they liked it it kept them cool and they got used to it. Between that and the ice treats they did just fine and were active most of the day. That mister earned its price today.

 

[farmkat55]

Wondering...I have a fan on the outside of the coop blowing in the big screened window but do y'all put the fans actually inside the coops and or runs? I'd be afraid of a malfunction or something...no? We don't have a fan on or in the outside section...the run...I can do that but is the direct draft ok to be on the birds?

 

[aart]

I can do that but is the direct draft ok to be on the birds?

When it's hot, yes they like it.
I have mine hung in the east window(shady there most the day) blowing into coop later during the day to help cool down coop. I do not leave fan on all night tho.