Jessica is an experienced pet mom with dogs, cats, rats, fish, axolotls, a gecko, chickens, and ducks.
How to Keep Chickens Cool in the Summer
Chickens are generally hardy animals, but they can have trouble regulating their temperature in the summer. Chickens are unable to sweat, so sometimes they can use a little extra help keeping cool. Here are six ways to help your chickens stay cool during the summer.
1. Make Sure They Have Plenty of Shade
Chickens love to hang out in the sun, but when it gets hot, it's important to make sure that they have a shady place to go as well. For chickens in a run, a tarp covering part of their yard works great. I like to make sure that they have a sunny area to dust-bathe and look for bugs and a shady area for when they are trying to beat the heat.
2. Cold Water Is Important
I know this one seems like it could go without saying, but make sure that your chickens have plenty of cool, fresh water. It is easy to underestimate how much water your birds will drink in the 90 or 100-degree weather, or how hot their water will get when it is sitting out in the sun.
If at all possible, change your chicken's water at the hottest point of the day, and continue checking on it during the afternoon. A great way to keep their water cold is to put ice cubes in it in the morning and throughout the day if you can.
3. Give Them Some Cold Treats
I love to make my chickens some frozen treats when I know it's going to be hot outside. An easy way to make a treat for them is to take a can of corn, juice and all, and dump it into an ice cube tray or muffin tins. The next day, the chickens will have a blast trying to peck the cold kernels out of the ice.
Another super easy cold treat is to freeze a bag of mixed veggies. These always seem to cool the chickens down very quickly. If you are like me and can never finish a watermelon, the chickens will love your leftovers. They will be in heaven pecking at the cold fruit, and it will be great for them because it is so hydrating.
