Official BYC Poll: How Do You Keep Your Chickens Cool In Summer?

[dawg53]

Fans inside the coops and box fans in the pens. Fresh cool water, and adding ice when it hits upper 90's/low 100's.

 

[ThreeOfSeven]

Recently installed our 70% shade cloth for this summer's heat, and it makes a big difference in this outside run. My girls also have a choice of spending time in runs with roofs and under the coops.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

are silkies heat tolerant? i think definitely not but some sources say they do
they have small wattles so it would be no right

Well, my coop reached 95 a few days ago (got the fan hung up so no more evacuations) and the silkies were panting along with everyone else until they were moved to a breezy area

 

[Heres2U_MrsR]

I use flexible misters in front of shop type fans and that seems to cool the air in front a good deal. I am planning to let mine stay out of their run under a deep shade tree this year. I do believe I lost one to heat last year despite all of my efforts, but I’m not convinced that he didn’t break his own neck flying into something. I’m adding a kiddie pool this year. Texas heat is beastly!

I’m curious...Does anyone lock theirs out of their coop during the day? I had to last year because even with ventilation, shade, fans, and anything else I could think of it was dangerously hot in mine. I would let mine lay in the morning and then lock them out(after thorough headcount).

 

[CreveChris]

Ice blocks and a weekly dose of electrolytes during heat waves are the most effective tools.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-extreme-weather-spiel.75893/

Checked almost all the boxes plus as you say, electrolytes, which I put in their daytime waterers in the tractor/run (with plain water in the coop and brooder). Frozen strawberries are a favorite of my flock. They have a fan blowing over them (not on them) all the time during the summer.

 

[FeatherTay]

I chose other, their run is outside, and their roosting is inside, in the shade but has a bit of run room.

 

[deidreg]

In addition to other methods, I just bought a Kobalt outdoor fan/mister. Small, portable, rechargeable battery. I set it just outside their run (About 60sq') and it provides a steady breeze. When they pant, I turn on the mister for a few minutes. With two batteries (one in the fan, one on the charger) I can get up to 12 hours.

 

[Manhen]

I hose down the west wing of the barn roof for 5 minutes 2-4 times a day. I get more eggs.

 

[BoogieWight]

Between the shade and water troughs most of mine seem to not have any issues. However there are always some dumb cockerels standing in broad daylight looking miserable. Like teenage boys they are unbreakable in their minds.

 

[Heres2U_MrsR]

In addition to other methods, I just bought a Kobalt outdoor fan/mister. Small, portable, rechargeable battery. I set it just outside their run (About 60sq') and it provides a steady breeze. When they pant, I turn on the mister for a few minutes. With two batteries (one in the fan, one on the charger) I can get up to 12 hours.

I’ll definitely be looking into this for chickens AND for camping!