Tips for beating the heat?

[vjbakke]

We may live in MN but it does get hot in the summer! It's 95+ out today, our coop is staying nice and cool. What are some tips for the heat? The girls were panting some yesterday out in the run. I turned on a fan outside and it seemed to help. I also put some ice in their water. Any advice?

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
Protection from sun, airflow, cool ground to stand on and water.

First reduces heat uptake. Second helps bird dump heat from under wings. Third helps dump heat through feet (very important mechanism). Water for evaporative cooling which picks up when birds pant. Birds seldom drink enough water for ice to make a significant difference in body temperature.

 

[snazzyboots]

i put freezy packs in the run. they don't stand near them but it does cool the area down a little. i also offer frozen treats like watermelon. they love it. i also found that hosing the run down will cool it off a few degrees but the birds hate it

 

[galanie]

I have a fan in the coop, a frozen jug in the water, a tarp over the run and lots of shade, plus I run the hose and give them a nice muddy area every day but their favorite thing is the wading pool with a couple inches of water in it, set of course in the shade.

 

[bryan99705]

You're doing fine. Keep water available and shade convienent