Topic of the Week - Keeping Chickens Cool in Summer

[JustMeInLA]

 

[JustMeInLA]

It was my first time posting a picture. In Louisiana they're mostly called crawfish trays. They don't take up much room and they work. I'm using 2 of them now that I have few more hens. No more panting.

 

[Loving my girls]

I use terracotta bowls like the ones for under a large pot plant, large but fairly shallow, seems to do the trick. Metal or black is no good for my hot humid summers, even in shade metal heats up too much

Also as of last summer, I now give them only fermented feed and I keep it quite wet - I think they possibly get hydration with probiotics.

Mostly I try to avoid adding tasks to my day to keep them cool - shade/water/wet feed/cool dirt patches are things I can manage and be away for the day.

Most of my chickens are built for heat, only a few are less heat tolerant varieties (so I have to accept a bit more effort for them as I chose them! Yes I've even laid a small wet towel on the coop floor for them near the pop door -they love it, but I hate the laundry!).

I use an old Cat litter tray and a propagator tray. I find they tend to drink from it rather than stand in it. I put almost frozen sweetcorn kernels and other yummies in them.
I keep them under a garden mister so that when they eat them they get cooled.
Double whammy

 

[CrazyChickLady64]

What do you use for shallow water dishes that the chickens can stand in? My run will be 8x10 and the small kiddie pools I've found would take up a lot of space. Summer can be really hot in MO and my coop in a yard with little shade though it and the run will have a roof topped with white metal roofing.

This is what I use they are easy to get in and out of the coop and you can add ice. I get them from Walmart. I freeze water in a Large bowl and place it in the so it lasts most of the afternoon till it starts to cool down

 

[Momma-Hen-Misti]

I keep Gatorade bottles full of water frozen in the freezer & add them to the waterers. I have enough to refresh the bottles 3 different times throughout the day.

 

[Chknma769]

What do you use for shallow water dishes that the chickens can stand in? My run will be 8x10 and the small kiddie pools I've found would take up a lot of space. Summer can be really hot in MO and my coop in a yard with little shade though it and the run will have a roof topped with white metal roofing.

I found a foot bath for rinsing your feet before getting in the pool, it ended up being perfect for a chicken pool. We fill it with water then in early afternoon when it's getting really hot we dump some ice into it, they love it!

 

[Henora]

I use an old Cat litter tray and a propagator tray. I find they tend to drink from it rather than stand in it. I put almost frozen sweetcorn kernels and other yummies in them.
I keep them under a garden mister so that when they eat them they get cooled.
Double whammy

Do you use freezer sweet corn or canned?