Other ways to keep chickens cool?

[KtheChickenGal]

Any suggestions for keeping chickens cool in the summer? I already do water of course, fruit, shade, misting, fans, free range time, etc.
Edit: this is not an emergency or anything like that!

 

[SemiSweet2391]

Any suggestions for keeping chickens cool in the summer? I already do water of course, fruit, shade, misting, fans, free range time, etc.

Maybe freeze the fruit? A tasty popsicle treat

 

[WildNectarine]

Any suggestions for keeping chickens cool in the summer? I already do water of course, fruit, shade, misting, fans, free range time, etc.

Funnily enough I have never had the pleasure of owning chickens despite being a member here; I’m quail person, and let mine rule over the house; so I’ve definitely never faced an issue quite like yours, but, while I have no personal experience, I have heard of using smooth stone tiles to keep animals like lagomorphs (Rabbits, etc.) cool when you cage them outside, by letting them lay on the tile, I don’t know if chickens would be so inclined, but it’s an idea!

Though, I’d be worried they’d slip, the accident prone-ness of birds knows seemingly no bounds, so maybe you could glue or otherwise (Safely) stick on some shelf liner or whatnot in some squares in a checkered pattern, so they can still lay and feel the coolness, but keep those fragile bones unbroken!

 

[NatJ]

I have heard of using smooth stone tiles to keep animals like lagomorphs (Rabbits, etc.) cool when you cage them outside, by letting them lay on the tile, I don’t know if chickens would be so inclined, but it’s an idea!

Though, I’d be worried they’d slip, the accident prone-ness of birds knows seemingly no bounds, so maybe you could glue or otherwise (Safely) stick on some shelf liner or whatnot in some squares in a checkered pattern, so they can still lay and feel the coolness, but keep those fragile bones unbroken!

Tile usually has a smooth front and a rougher back. Rather than trying to add texture to the shiny side, maybe turn it over to expose the rougher back.

I don't know whether it would help chickens stay cool, so this is just a suggestion about the slippery aspect.

 

[NatJ]

Any suggestions for keeping chickens cool in the summer? I already do water of course, fruit, shade, misting, fans, free range time, etc.

Where do you live? How hot do your summers get?

 

[KtheChickenGal]

Where do you live? How hot do your summers get?

Sometimes multiple days in the high 90s. My chickens have been fine before, just gathering information and useful tips.

 

[NatJ]

Sometimes multiple days in the high 90s. My chickens have been fine before, just gathering information and useful tips.

I'm glad your chickens have been fine.

I had been worried that you might have really extreme temperatures, with chickens having trouble despite all the things you already did. I'm very glad I was wrong!

Unfortunately, I don't really have anything else to suggest. You seem to have it covered pretty well.

 

[Papaye]

Hi.

Any suggestions for keeping chickens cool in the summer? I already do water of course, fruit, shade, misting, fans, free range time, etc.

Mix some mint in their food...?

And plant some, too.
(Be careful : mint is invasive! So, you could want to keep it in POTS.)

 

[Penpal]

You can put a tarp up, like a roof and spray cold water over the tarp. This cools the space under the tarp, even the ground.