Your chickens do not like summer heat.....

[Three Stents]

depending on where you live. I have a solar exhaust fan and a solar intake fan for the coop and water misters for the run. Also, I have to paint the metal corrugated run covering with white elastomeric paint. Please don't wait till the hot weather gets here to ask about how to keep your flock cool. Kinda the opposite of when the cold weather was here for a lot of you. Please be proactive instead of reactive, Now go do the right thing, before the heat gets here.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Alternatively, you can get breeds that are more resilient in the heat. I have never used fans because they would be a pain to clean with all the chicken dander flying around. I lived in Utah and just provided lots of deep shade and the occasional ice block and only ever had hear problems with my first Salmon Faverolles when I kept their waterer in the un-shaded coop.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Dirt, shade, & lots of cool water is all what I use make sure my birds stay cool. Occasionally I'll give vitamins, & electrolytes water.
If it's needed, I give them a dip in cool water.

 

[ABQ chicken keeper]

If it's needed, I give them a dip in cool water.

MC,
Ha Ha, How did your chickens take to being dunked in water? I bet that ruffled their feathers!

 

[MysteryChicken]

MC,
Ha Ha, How did your chickens take to being dunked in water? I bet that ruffled their feathers!

Some like it, some may fuss, others tolerate it. It depends on the individual bird. But they're happy once out, & soggy.

 

[Nonafel]

Shade, dirt/dust bath, ice treats and cooler water to drink. Your chickens will be fine.

 

[MarlaMac]

My daily summer routine in the middle of Texas is comprised of ice in their waterers along with refrigerated water. I change it 2 - 3 times a day depending upon the heat factor. They have lots of shade - either trees they have dug the underbrush out of or our decks. About 5pm I water the backyard where the shade will be until they go to roost and move their food and water to the back. Then from about 7 until the go to roost, provide a "river" of water for them in the shade outside the coop/run. I tried misters, but my birds hate them and in the Texas humidity, I think it does more harm than good. But they do like walking in the wet grass and the evening "river".

If the heat gets into the 90s, they get watermelon or other melons as an afternoon treat.

The coop has large, secure openings that allow whatever breeze might be available in. I do have fans in the coop and run them if the overnight temps stay above 80. Texas heat is brutal sometimes.

They don't like the heat, but I haven't lost one to the heat yet.