Keeping Chickens Cool is not a terribly difficult process but one that needs to be in place to help facilitate the care of our pet chickens during the hottest months. Almost every type of climate if affected by this; while the south will see warmer months more frequently than the north, spikes in temperatures occur most everywhere, so please be cautious and aware to keep our chickens safe.
I stay cool by looking this good.
KEEPING CHICKENS COOL
Ventilation
While proper ventilation should be built into the chicken coop that you own, finding ways to add additional air flow is key to keeping chickens cool as the weather heats up. This includes adding a fan inside of the coop–that isn’t always a viable option depending on the size of the coop, but if a workaround can be done, go for it. The usual warning applies here in regards to live wire or cords that chickens could get injured on. To assist in cooler temps inside, ensure that there’s only a thin layer of shavings on the ground. This will act as an insulator and keep the coop warmer.
Freeze It
On those extreme hot days where we open up the freezer door and just stand there letting the cold air envelop us, think of that kind of cold relief for your chickens too. One of the best ways of keeping chickens cool is to put ice in their water. Keeping their H2O fresh and clean is a no-brainer task and adding ice to the bowl helps keep the water cool as your chickens drink it up. It also helps maintain proper body temperature of the chickens.
Be careful of the choice in feed for those really hot days. Certain foods take longer to digest which in turn creates additional body heat. Put some berries into the freezer and share them with your chickens. Raspberries, blueberries and strawberries are ideal for a frozen treat. melons work great too. Cut one in half and freeze it and let your chickens pick out of the melon bowl will go a long way in keeping your chickens cool. Here’s a link for a quick read on what to not feed your chickens.
Shade
Keeping chickens out of direct sunlight is the obvious answer to the shade situation, but there are many small ways that shade can be offered and it will make a huge difference. Having a roof over your chicken coop is smart for many reasons, but the sun is sneaky and can find ways to shine right upon the chickens. If you use Advantek’s Medium Gazebo,
the inclusion of the Sun Shade makes a huge difference blocking that direct sunlight.
Any additional shade could be the difference between healthy and unhealthy chickens.
Spacing
A lot of these practices translate from how we would take care of ourselves during the hottest of days. Avoid allowing chickens to exert themselves too much and ensure that they aren’t huddled together. Giving them proper space in the shade to remain cool is key. Keep their dust bath area nice and shaded too. The cooler earth will feel good as they bathe and wait out the hottest hours of the day.
Chickens are easily stressed animals and it’s our job to take care of them. Much like we keep them and ourselves warm in the winter we need to ensure we keep them cool in the summer. What ideas do you have? Share them below.
