Some berries float and some sink, but the chickens eat them all and afterwards they seemed a whole lot cooler. Meaning, any surface area that isn’t covered in their built-in down jackets! Some of them love to stand in cool water on a hot day! Cool your chicken coop with misters. Adding more waterers, keeping them filled, and locating them in shady spots is helpful. Hope this helps . Chickens can get heat stroke and die. I’m all about simple living, real food, and everything plants. This will cool her down gradually and may possibly save her life. They are some of the best foragers, so they make excellent free-range birds and penned chickens too, as long as you keep moving the pen around for ample forage. A well ventilated coop is a necessity year round, but you’ll want even more ventilation when it’s hot. Fill galvanized metal tubs (what we use), a sturdy tote bin, kiddie pool, or other container with fine dirt or sand. Putting the water in a shady spot helps as well. They should be fine, unless there are larger chickens that will beat up on them. But if you don’t usually provide one and then whip out a big blue kiddie pool during a random heat wave, your chickens will probably just look at it (and you) sideways. I just tested a few and them seem to be working for me. Chickens aren’t adverse to a cheeky dip and in severely hot weather a keeper-assisted, shoulder-depth dunk will help cool ‘em down. Read along to learn more! It hydrates and cools them, and the LOVE it. 3. That is sufficient time to rapidly cool their internal body temperature. i reciently got chickens. Check out the video of Miss Ginger below. The degree of heat stress depends on a number of factors, including the chicken’s living quarters, diet, and breed. We do many of the above mentioned steps already, sometimes it doesn’t feel enough. For example, if they’re outside all day and the evenings cool off nicely, you might not need to make any serious adjustments. they very kind and lay up to 200 eggs a year. Spoiled chickies❤️ Yup, if there’s no sign of mites or lice it could be a molt. Instead of a pool, another option to keep chickens feet cool is to create a muddle puddle area. Get A Mister. Some chicken keepers use a “deep litter” method, which allows the bedding material (and chicken excrement) to form a deep pile on the coop floor. Rhode Island Red chickens are easy to care for, they will produce around 260 eggs per year.. Hey friends! Yet other folks say their chickens won’t use them much. Keeping Chickens Warm in the Winter Get the Right Chicken Breeds for your Climate. They seem to have enough jungle bird instincts left to know how to stay cool when they need to. I’ll probably be chicken dunking very soon! Chickens that live in places with routinely hot conditions may become accustomed to the heat, and tolerate it better than those who are used to more temperate conditions. Shade from trees and bushes will help them stay cooler than shade from buildings. We all know how much chickens like dirt! If their shaded run area doesn’t have suitable ground material for dust bathing, create a dust bath! Did I forget any good tips that you use to keep chickens cool in the summer? When we’re having a heat wave, our tap water is usually plenty warm to use as-is. When the weather gets hot, it can mean trouble for your birds. Also please feel free to spread the chicken love by sharing or pinning this article. Help chickens cool off with frozen treats. Hi There! Hi Mr. or Mrs. Deanna Cat, Frozen fruits or ice blocks with scraps of vegetables make great treats for a hot day. Now let's take a look at some things you can do to keep your birds cool outside of their coop. In no particular order, here are the top eight tips for keeping your chickens cool in the summer: Add electrolytes to their water. Join the free email course and learn how to start gardening (even if you have a black thumb!) Be sure to keep any baby chicks high and dry as they struggle with water deeper than a few millimetres. i would not recomend getting brahma chickens. Not so great in 100 degree weather. There are many different types of misters on the market. The cool moist air lowers the relative temperature of the area through evaporative cooling. Chickens have a natural body temperature of 107° (F). However, when the temperatures spike, they can drink up to twice as much water. If you notice a bird that is non-responsive you need to act very quickly to cool her down! The very best thing you can do to ensure your birds will be warm in winter is to start off with cold hardy chicken breeds.Cold hardy breeds have very small combs and wattles, making them less susceptible to … Unusual heat waves pose the most risk for heat stress in chickens. Won’t open! This makes it quite easy to become malnourished, adding to an already stressful situation. Don’t laugh! Required fields are marked *. I know many people who do. Provide at least 4 square feet of indoor coop space and 10 square feet of outdoor space per chicken. The first and easiest thing you can do is to sort their water supply out. Reduce the bedding layer inside the coop to no more than 2 inches deep to prevent trapping in heat. Another popular idea is to make frozen treat blocks. We don’t want to shock our chickens with frigid water, just cool them off a little. You may enjoy these related articles: Using your tips to take care of my chicks here in Nigeria. On the other hand, smaller or lighter chicken breeds generally do better in heat. Perhaps they’ll be more excited about getting their feet wet in mud if they aren’t keen on a water pool. If you notice them walking around with their beaks open, that’s a sign that they’re overheating and attempting to cool down. I will be replacing daughters kiddie pool today, and freezing blocks of fruits and veggies. Ply mouth rock (aka barred rock) and delaware are good layers! If you have chickens pet them A LOT!! Even hotter right now. Outside of the Chicken Coop. A few suggestions on keeping your chickens cooler during the hottest times of the year. 8 Tips For Keeping Chickens Cool In The Summer. Loads of great information! In fact, your efforts could be life-saving. They will also hold their wings away from their body to help air flow cool them down. I do the same with some of those giant cucumbers that I find hiding. Sounds like you have a lot of experience! Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, such as Amazon links. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a8d5f2c59d6f7c7082efab76383ed4fe" );document.getElementById("badc2debf7").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Here on Farming My Backyard you can expect advice on simple living, urban homesteading, and living a more eco-friendly life. Ensure that your chickens have a shady space to retreat on hot days. This helps keep them cool. 3) The Right Cold Treats. Or, you can make some modifications as needed. Chickens die from summer heat if badly managed, and most coops do not have windows that can be opened. ... 7 Ways To Keep Your Chickens Cool During Summer . We have a fan going already but I know it won’t be enough. © Homestead and Chill 2020 All rights reserved. Like ventilation, providing a nice dust bath space is always a good idea. i had 2. We live in TN, on the AL line. Overheating chickens will usually pant: breathing heavily through an open beak, often moving their tongues up and down. And even though here in Florida, our winters are mild, our birds still experience the effects of the shorter days. Shade is the most important thing for helping your birds stay cool. They’re set to open in a new window, so I’m not sure if that perhaps the disconnect – did you see them perhaps open in a different tab? Most summer days are in the 70s, and rarely over 85°F. Chickens can lower their body temperature by keeping their feet cool. Keeping the hen house cool. Thank you Deanna for the insightful information. Believe it or not, in most cases it’s more difficult to care for chickens during the blazing heat of summer than it is during winter. That’s true, we do have one bantam who lets my five year old carry her around! Rather, provide cold, refreshing, high-moisture treats such as watermelon and other fruits and veggies. Did you know that some treats actually increase a chicken’s body temperature? Add a sprinkle of lime, wood ash, or food-grade diatomaceous earth for added mite and lice control. Electrolyte tablets are important for extreme heat and can prevent dehydration. If your area is known for high heat, hopefully you set up your coop and run with cooling measures already in mind. A cool spot to dust bathe helps your chickens regulate their body temperature. I may make a small commission from purchases made through some of those links, at no extra cost to you. I may make a small commission from purchases made through some of those links, at no extra cost to you. As we explored in our “Keeping Chickens Warm in Winter” article, high-carb treats like dry cracked corn and scratch warm them up from the inside out as they work to digest them. they are the most gentle things ever. I have 6 girls, my first time having chickens in the heat of California. It also gives your birds something to peck at and entertain themselves with. Freezing their feed for an hour or so before putting it out is one way to make it potentially more appetizing, as well as cooling. However, that means that when we are hit with a random heat wave, our chickens are absolutely not accustomed to it. Use these tips for keeping chickens cool and comfortable in warm weather: Provide shade by placing roofs on the run or shade cloths over the door. That means for every 7 adult chickens you have, you need one gallon of fresh water. Freeze Their Feed. 5. Dirt might not be your thing, but birds don’t mind it! Good luck on finding some good chickens. Chickens natural way of keeping cool is to spread their feathers to let the heat escape. Thank you so much for these tips! My chickens I had previous were in Hawaii big difference. I’m having a prob with my entire flock they are losing feathers like crazy have huge bald spots around their head and bottoms. Sometimes our chickens might need a bit more cool relief than a light sprinkle - a quick dip in some soothing water is perfect for some extra hot chicks. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, monitor your chickens behavior, and be prepared to respond accordingly. Our girls ... 2) Cold Fresh Water. I learn so much from you. Chickens dissipate heat from their combs, beaks, and feet. I st, The purpose of this post was going to be to highli, Let's talk frost! For full size birds, we recommend a minimum of 4 square feet per bird. I'd like to receive the free email course. I will only link to products I know and believe in! I thought I would learn something new but I’m doing everything that was side already..the only thing I do different is..here it gets 114 alot so all use fans placed in the shade next to them. Hi I am going to get chickens but i STILL don’t know which breed I want! Some chicken keepers add ice to their chicken waterers to keep them cool. Now check your email to confirm your subscription. Put frozen water bottles around the coop and chicken run where hens hangout. It gets quite hot here in the Sacramento Valley too (CA). You can bring them cool water throughout the day if needed. This can be provided in many ways: Hi Kay – Do you mean the links/articles listed at the very bottom of this article? Interested in learning more about raising backyard chickens? For example, if extreme heat is the norm and you always have a pool out during the summer, I bet the chickens take to it. 10 Ways to Keep Chickens Cool in Hot Weather. If your chickens are confined, you can make a great dust bath for them by filling a large shallow container with your chosen material. They’re relying on you, after all. What do I do the egg production is fine they ACT fine but look horrible. 1. I know many people who set up little kiddie or wading pools for their chickens to enjoy. Summer Rabbit Care: How To Keep Your Rabbits Safe In The Heat. If a chicken becomes alarmingly listless, a final resort is to bring them inside to the cooling comfort of your home. I usually fill up 2ltr bottles with water and freeze them to put in my girls fav spots to sit outside to cool off in the heat they love them!! My name is Deanna, also known as DeannaCat. Any purchases made through affiliate links are, Backyard Chickens 101: What to Expect When You’re Expecting, Top 18 Breeds of Chickens for Your Backyard Flock, Baby Chick Care 101: Brooders, Heat, Health & More, Chicken Health: Feeding Chickens Eggshells (or Oyster Shells) For Essential Calcium, How to Sprout Seeds for Healthy Chicken Treats, 10 Tips on Caring for Chickens in Cold Winter Weather, “Turmeric Latte” Golden Milk Recipe (Vegan Options), How to Grow Carrots Successfully: From Seed to Table. I cut off big hunks and put it out for the birds (I have about 40 chickens). Set up a large crate, bring them into a cool basement, or designate a spare bathroom as a temporary chicken sanctuary to keep your friends safe. Success! In general, temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit increase the risk of heat stress and heat-related illness in chickens, including death. During the day I could open it to create a cross breeze and cool the coop down. Good airflow will help to move out both the moisture and the heat put off by the birds. Dismiss. One thing we do is prop open the main coop door during hot days to keep the girls trying to lay eggs inside more cool – but we have to be diligent to remember to close it back up again at night! We don’t have to worry about cold temperatures or freezing water in South Florida, in fact we introduce frozen water in the dead of summer to give our chickens a much needed break from the heat. Consider adding a fan in the coop if safe electricity is available, or use a solar-powered fan. Organic Gardening | Real Food | Natural Health | Good Vibes. So, if you live in a hot area, try to choose lightweight chicken breeds with larger combs. They could die if not taken care of. they will be 5 weeks tomorrow. It is always recommended to provide good ventilation inside a chicken coop, but even more so in hot conditions. Keeping chickens cool is critical. Fill a large “tupperware” type container with water and berries (or similar), freeze it overnight, and set it out the next day for the chickens to pick at as it thaws. Create … It's HOT! There are a few things you can do before you rush off to work in the morning, although having a friend or neighbour pop around during the middle of the day as a precautionary check-up is a good idea on days of extreme temperatures. Your email address will not be published. For those triple digits days, I keep watermelon in the freezer or fridge. You may want to look into the bantam versions of australorps or orpingtons. Add your experience (or ask questions) in the comments below! Spray down the chicken run so there are small puddles for them to lay in, or provide shallow pans of water. The general rule is for you to provide 500 milliliters of fresh water per bird per day. Therefore, setting up a mister system is one effective way to help keep your chickens cool, and could be very worthwhile in places where regular hot days are common. Okay, this sounds a little extreme… and that is because it kind of is! You could also put a frozen bottle into their water to help it cool down. Note that you should NOT dunk them in freezing cold or even notably cold water. The built up material acts as an extra layer of insulation in the coop. You can also add a few pavers/stepping stones in the pool, to give them a place to stand and feel more stable while inside. Our yard is shadeless. As always, treats should only be fed in moderation – especially in hot conditions, as chickens are likely eating less in general. I hope you’ll stick around for advice and inspiration on how to live more fully on less. Put too many chickens in too small of an area, and it will be difficult for them to stay cool. Chickens will need more water in hot weather, and they’ll cope much better if it’s cool. It mostly depends on who raised the chickens. This should be a factor when deciding where to place a new coop. Water Baths. Instead, chickens dissipate excess heat from their combs, wattles, beaks, and feet. That also means we do not have misters, a kiddie pool, or other cooling methods readily available. Ice Their Water. Another option is to string one of these cool shade canopies between posts, fences, or trees. This has been on my mind as our temps will reach 107 next week and even higher throughout the summer here in AZ. First off, WOW. Try to move your run into a shady area if possible. Here’s a decently priced misting nozzle if you need an example of what to look for. They also don’t get to go swimming like us lucky humans, so what are they supposed to do? Chickens don’t really like to stand in water, but when it’s hot, they will cool their feet in a muddy puddle. Breeds that are hardy in cold weather will not do as well. With the measures described below, it is fairly easy to keep your chickens cool during hot summer weather with minimal intervention. Chickens (generally) don’t live in air conditioned buildings, and it wouldn’t be healthy for them even if they did. Alternatively, you could use lawn sprinklers nearby, or simply spray down the ground with a hose on occasion. Keep their waterers in a shady and readily accessible location (e.g. While this is a clever way to keep the coop warmer during winter, it is less-than-ideal in hot summer conditions! In fact, if you have a shady area with a few misters going, your chickens may be quite comfortable even if you’re sweating. When the summer months come, the heat is on. I have 3 California whites and 3 black australopes. Adding a mister can significantly cool down an area. i have lavender chickens. Any enclosed space is going to have a greenhouse effect. Your email address will not be published. The measures you’ll need to take to ventilate and cool your coop depend on how much time your chickens spend inside, along with what the evening temperatures are like. Click here for information on reviews, sponsored posts, and contact information. Prolonged hot temperatures combined with high humidity is an especially uncomfortable combination, for chickens and humans alike. 1) Provide Shade. Add misters outside of the chicken coop that spray onto the roof or shade cover for evaporative cooling. I have noticed my girls breathing with their mouths open and had no idea it was a sign of over heating. Wet the ground and provide standing, muddy water. Mist systems are nice, but chickens are not especially fond of them, the air around them however is about 5 to 10 degrees cooler, so you’ll find them congregating near it. The others don’t work either! This was definitely helpful. Using a deep litter method produces heat as it breaks down, which is great in the winter. Thank you for reading! and finally save money and grow delicious vegetables! Once they’re done, the evaporation from their wet feathers will also help keep them cool for a while. If they don’t have a natural area in the run, then provide a rubbermaid tub of dirt for them to use. Chickens don’t really like to stand in water, but when it’s hot, they will cool their feet in a muddy puddle. Adding some ice to the water hits the spot, just be sure not to add too much. When chickens consume frozen food (including frozen treats), having cold material in their crop actually lowers their body temperature from within! Any purchases made through affiliate links are greatly appreciated, as they enable me to continue to create and share with you! Here on the mild Central Coast of California, a heat wave of 90+ degree days is quite unusual, uncomfortable and risky for our flock. I will be thinking of you and your flock! Please try again. One of them was very agressive and killed 2 other chickens and atacked my other 8. Wallowing in dirt may sound like an uncomfortable pursuit to us humans, but that is how chickens keep themselves clean – and cool! Gonna have a 4 day stretch of 97° this coming week. The shop update is live, compl, Cheers to bountiful fall harvests, whole foods and, ✨ Just a pretty peek of the garden for you. Water Misters. Kind of a chicken a/c unit ~ hanging frozen bottles of water. 4. 4) Freeze their Feed. If your chickens are showing signs of heat stress, adding electrolytes to their water can help them stay hydrated and healthy. You will probably notice a drop in egg production when it’s very hot, especially for breeds with small combs. Thus, cut back or avoid scratch during extreme heat. Chickens are rockstars at a lot of things: laying eggs, throwing sass, making us laugh, digging holes… But one thing chickens aren’t great at is keeping themselves cool and collected in extreme heat. Now offering Organic Sourdough Starter! It is important to keep chickens cool in the summer. Smaller breeds tend to be more active, while larger breeds can be more docile. Thankfully, there are many simple ways that you can help keep your flock of chickens cool and safe during hot summer weather. openings that allow for a nice cross-breeze. Put her in cool (NOT ICY) water and make sure to get past her feathers to her skin. How to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats in Houseplants, Organically! Before her bath, she couldn’t even stand up. They certainly cope with heat better than rabbits do. Safety first! 2) Bobbing for berries: If the chickens don't seem to be drinking enough, float some ice and berries in a bowl of water and let them at it. First, make sure your birds have plenty of space. Here are some tips that will help you keep your chickens cool even when it’s hot outside. The feet and legs of the chicken are one of ... Dust Bathing. My hope is to inspire the love for a similar lifestyle or hobbies in others ~ by sharing real-life tips and tools to make “modern homesteading” activities easy, understandable, and enjoyable ~ so you can learn and dive in with me! Worms are a “living soil amendment”, says Cornell University, and a key component to the vitality of our garden! Thankfully, keeping chickens cool in the summer is totally doable with only a few adjustments on your part. Make sure there’s plenty of ventilation in the coop. Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Take advantage of the heat and clean your coop from top to bottom. I can’t get some of your topics to work when I click on them…Such as Top 18 Breeds of Chickens for your backyard flock. If your chicken run area is mostly sunny, create additional shade by draping black shade cloth over the run. Thanks for reaching out! Normally, poultry farmers just provide 30 litres of water in their coops. We have many Midwest and Southern friends who say their chickens do just fine with temperatures in the 90s. Put frozen bottles of water near the nesting boxes Chickens are actually descended from jungle fowl, so many of them can do quite well. Ensure the coop has screened (but predator-proof!) If your coop is usually pretty buttoned-up for winter, are there any solid walls or doors that you could safely swap with wire fencing during the summer? The heat and humidity can make being outside nearly unbearable. If you have no natural shade, tarps or shade cloth can be used in a pinch, but they’ll also reduce ventilation. Subscribe for our newsletter and get the free email course Intro To Backyard Chickens as well as a free printable checklist to walk you through step by step! Soil a few inches below the sunny ground surface can be several degrees cooler. Visit our Shop menu for more details. Whenever the temperature gets above 90 degrees it can be dangerous for your backyard flock. not inside the hot coop, especially if they aren’t hanging out in there during the day). Gently hold them, and dip into a large bucket of cool, fresh water. If a family with young kids did they may be more comfortable with being pet. Dehydrated chickens and chicks will go downhill very fast so it is vital that on hot days that they are kept as cool and hydrated as much as possible. Make a mud bath. When things start to heat up, monitor them and respond in your best judgement and ability. As it should be. Give Them Shade. In order to maintain optimal health, encourage your chickens to continue to eat their usual nutritionally-balance chicken feed. I'm in western West Palm Beach, with a large flock of many different chicken breeds, and haven't had problems with any of them in our heat. Chickens love taking dust baths and working the cool dirt particles into their feathers. A foot or so below the surface, the soil is cooler than the air temperature. Shade is the most important way to keep your chickens cool in the summer. On average, a mister can help reduce temperatures by 5-20 degrees! Our girls love to hang out under the trees in our yard. Heavier chicken breeds may start to become overheated around 85°F. If possible, add large holes to the bottom of the container for drainage on rainy days. Welcome to chickeneering in Florida! Adding moisture to the air or ground around the coop and run will lower the surrounding temperature. You can purchase an entire misting system, or just add a misting nozzle onto the end of your hose. Put that dusty ‘ol thing to use and give your chooks a little poultry paddle in a shady spot. Making Shade. Hey! Nobody likes a crowd on hot days. I would prefer a small , not noisy, good egg layer , and docile breed. They are also very beautiful. Of course the best course of action is to keep your hens from overheating in the first place. This is one of the most simple but crucial measures. Provide a constant supply of cold fresh water. I will only link to products I know and believe in! Add ice cubes into their water. My chickens tend to … Providing lots of cool, clean water is the number one way to prevent heat stress in chickens! Some people recommend a small wading pool with a couple inches of water, but I’ve found my birds never walk through one on their own, but they’ll happily wade right into a bit of mud. Standing with wings held out away from their body, Egg production may also decrease with prolonged heat exposure. Clean, cool water is essential for your flock to survive hot temperatures. This is probably the fastest and easiest way you can do to keep your chickens cool. If the water coming out of your hose is really cold, let the bucket of water sit out in the sun for a half hour or so to slightly warm. Keep the air flow moving, especially in the chickens coop it gets really hot and the air is still. If you know of any good one 1m open for suggestions! Sign up for the Backyard Orchards email course today! Keeping chickens cool during summer just got a little easier with our simple tips about coop ventilation, misters, nutrition, hydration, and more. A lot of us will be able to escape the summer heat and humidity by cooling off in a lake, or inside an air conditioned home. It’s hot. They are also smart enough to seek shade, create dust bathing areas, and drink plenty of water. During hot conditions, keep the coop as clean and tidy as possible. I read your information regularly. They put off a lot of heat and moisture. I’ve sprayed them and the coop but can’t find a lice or mite even though when I had a chick born a few months ago he was ate up with them. Here’s a decently priced misting nozzle if you need an example of what to look for. You might have noticed this effect at the beach, where the sand is hot at the surface and much cooler below when you dig. It sure is. Chickens are unable to sweat, so sometimes they can use a little extra help keeping cool. As microbes work to break it down, the material physically heats up. The difference between shade and direct sunlight can be up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes it one of the most significant ways you can keep your chickens cool. That is just mean, and can be shocking in its own right. Julie – Good luck during the heat wave. Chickens Take Dust Baths (But It Looks Like a Frenzy!). ❄ New on Homestead and Chill ~, Citrus season is upon us, so here is your ann, Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, such as Amazon links. Dust bathing in shade is one way to for chickens to keep their cool in summer heat. Read more…. Spring is a great time to clean out aged deep litter in your coop. Here are 5 tips on how to keep chickens cool in the summer. A shallow pan of cool water placed in a shady area is great for them to dip their feet into. They need your help! It depends on the flock, and their opportunity to become accustomed to the idea. can they go out in the coop with a shady run. Chickens can’t sweat to cool themselves. As airborne water droplets evaporate, it immediately cools the air. Make a muddy corner in their coop where they can stand to cool down. Ventilate Their Coop. Fans. Don’t swamp the whole thing of course! Did you know that extreme heat is more dangerous for chickens than freezing cold conditions? Thanks for sharing the tip about the fans. In all, no one knows your flock better than you do! Provide dust bathing space. Ensure that your chickens have a shady space to retreat on hot days. Therefore, chicken breeds with large combs and wattles are able to cool themselves more readily than those with small peacombs. They emit a small amount of cooler air. Normally we just have a single 30 litre chicken drinker ... 2. Hoping to set the pool up with blocks today to encourage their use. Shade: If you don't have trees or buildings that provide natural shade for your hens then it's time to make your own shade!Get creative here and use what you have. 7 Ways To Keep Your Chickens Cool During Summer. So, when our chickens are looking miserable and I am worried for their safety, we gently submerge them (only up to their shoulders) in a bucket of cool to room temperature water for about one minute. Instead of ice, you could also throw some frozen treats in there – like frozen fruit or vegetables! Next, make sure the coop is well-ventilated. On the hottest days, that may mean refreshing their water a few times per day. Many of these signs and symptoms sound pretty scary – but I don’t want you to worry! You all tota, They're ready! Don’t discourage hole digging, it’s a perfect place for dumping water buckets during the day, chickens will play in the water then lay in the mud holes to stay cool. There was an error submitting your subscription. Thanks for reading. How Do You Know If You Have a Sick Chicken? Consider adding a shallow pool of water where your chickens can stand. i also have polish chickens who are very calm as well. This is one of the most simple but crucial measures. Keeping your chickens cool in extreme heat is vital to keeping them happy and healthy. If you work with them they will get attached and follow you around and run to you at the sound of your voice. They mostly lay around in the shade and don't move much when it's really hot. Truth be told, we have dunked our hot chickens in water on several occasions – and they seem to love it! Also, avoid overcrowding – in both the coop and run space! Click here to see a video of our hot weather chicken coop. Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new articles, and receive a FREE 20-page digital, printable garden planning toolkit. Worms bins are easy to maintain, divert waste from the landfill, and create “black gold” for your garden! Manna Pro ® Life-Lytes™ Mega Tabs are easy to use and each tablet makes a gallon of vitamin/electrolyte solution for your chickens. Here are some tips for helping your birds though the winter ahead. Here are six ways to help your chickens stay cool during the summer. Thanks alot. Feed them frozen treats such as watermelon and berries. That’s great to hear! Scratch is helpful in very cold weather as an energy/ internal heat source for the chickens when they are in a very cold climate (like way below freezing). I suggest this option if your chickens are showing clear and persistent signs of heat stress, and the other ways we’ve explored to cool chickens down are not working (or possible). Freeze fruits, veggies, herbs, and/or meal worms in containers. Just wanted to say your chicks are sooo cute and well taken care of. On hot days, be sure your chickens have a place to dust bath in the shade. So grateful I came across your page. Although they do a pretty good job of keeping themselves cool, I (along with many backyard chicken keepers) tend to pamper our flock a little Misters area great way to cool off your chicken run on hot days! The other thing to watch out for would be featherpicking. Thank you for tuning in. If your area gets very hot, plan accordingly when designing your coop. How to Keep Hens Cool on a Hot Summers Day. Try freezing some treats! 5. Doing our best as disabled individuals to provide it. We are fortunate, and do not have regular hot weather where we live. Learn more characteristics of the Top 18 Backyard Chicken breeds here, including comb and body type, egg production, demeanor, and more. Soil, mulch and sand all work for dust bathing areas. While it melts, the hot chickens peck at them for the treats but also keep cool by keeping their feet near the cool ice melting. Chickens are generally hardy animals, but they can have trouble regulating their temperature in the summer. You can save money at the grocery store without a time intensive garden or committing to raising livestock. 5) Ventilate the Coop. I don't think you need to do anything differently for a FL winter than you do in the summer, except that maybe you don't need to worry about keeping them cool as much as you do in the summer. If you’re not able to get enough airflow with natural ventilation, consider creatin… At the very least, plant some trees so that next year you’ll have them. But when it is extremely hot, they often replace their waterers with something very shallow because these are easier to refill and keep … Keep in touch with our weekly newsletter and receive a FREE digital, printable garden planning toolkit! Click here to see a video of our hot weather chicken coop. Cooling the Coop. My largest coop has a window that opens and shuts. We like to give our girls frozen peas, corn, watermelon chunks, and chopped frozen strawberries on hot days.