Keeping Coop Cool During Hot Spells

[doodledo]

We finally got some warmer weather and was wondering how to keep the coop cool so the chicks are happy. I do remember reading where someone placed frozen water bags inside for the chicks to lay against. I gave mine some cold watermelon today and they ate it up.

 

[Southern28Chick]

I have a shallow pan about 3'x3' and about 2" deep full of cold water. I noticed when my chickens get hot and start to pant when I pick them up their feet felt really hot. I put the pan of water out and picked up a couple of chicks and put them in the water. Now when they get to hot they run and jump in the pan of water to cool off their hot feet.

Edited to add: As far as keeping the coop cold...fans. Walmart has rechargeable battery operated fans. I sit mine in the window. It does ok but not much helps in 100 degree weather here in the south.

 

[cookinmom]

We put a fan in the coop for them, and sometimes leave the hose running in their run, just real low, for them to play in. They do like cukes and melons straight from the fridge too.

 

[TreyClark281]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=5944
i think that will help you might of already read it.

 

[MissPrissy]

It was pretty hot here today. I have tried misting my birds but they HATE it. Running around screeching and flapping - It really upsets them. So now I just turn a fan on them and hope the moving air helps.

 

[MayberrySaint]

I freeze my 1 gal waterer 2/3 full each night...in the AM fill it with water and put it outside where the girls free-range. The water stays icy cold throughout the day. This is adequate for 36 chickens. Even when it has been 95 degrees, the water is still cold at 5 PM with a chunk of ice still left.

 

[65browneyes]

We've been over 110 here several days over the last couple weeks.

I try to keep cold watermelon, canteloupe, etc to give them during the day, but the main 'cooler' I have for them is to spray the coop down at least twice during the day (more often if I can). They don't like to be sprayed, and will run and hide in the hen house (which I also spray down). I try to spray the area down in the evenings after chores, too. It stays fairly warm in there for them at night, and that last spray down seems to make a big difference.

They have a couple not-so-big shade trees that help some.