Keeping My Pet Chickens Cool In The Heat?

[bantychicken]

Hi. My three chickens Penguin, Dusty, and their daughter Dudly have been having a serious time with the humidity. It's not the heat that is a problem where I love it's the humidity. The temperature could be 85 degrees but because of the humidity it will make it feel like 95 or 100 degrees. I read about making a small mud hole for them to relax in but they just don't seem to like wading in water that some chickens would. I've been misting them with a hose and they don't like that either. I want to find something that will get there attention and coax them into wading in at least an inch of water. They are panting like crazy and they aren't in their coop (they really never are unless it's winter) but they are in the shade panting really bad. I also dipped their feet and bellies in water and put some water under their wings where there is skin. It seems to work for a little bit but they hate it. I don't want them to think I'm doing this to torture them I want them to enjoy it. They are Barred Plymouth Rock Bantams by the way. I'm not sure if their breed has anything to do with them not liking water. I put ice cubes in they waterer as well but they still pant like they are extremely hot. Is there anything I can do to help them in the heat? How can I try and coax them to stand and wade in a little bit of water? Should I keep cooling off their legs and bellies? Please and thank you!

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Some of the best ways to keep chickens cool include: hanging frozen water jugs/bottles in the coop with a fan blowing on them, giving them frozen/cold treats (frozen grapes, melon, frozen corn, etc,) and providing them with access to shade and plenty of water. You can't really coax them to wade in water as they aren't ducks! LOL Just put ice in the water.

 

[katelk]

I also have humidity and temp issues. My hens hate it, but I spray them with the hose a few times per day. It makes them stop panting so obviously it cools them off.
One thing they LOVE is I will sit the running hose on the ground in a spot where there is dirt and just let it soak the ground. The water will start bringing worms to the surface and my hens will wade around in that grabbing worms for as long as I keep it on. Letting it run on the ground seems less threatening and more natural to them I suppose. Lol. They hate water, but if I do this they will let it run all around their feet and legs no problem.