Helping Chickens Stay Cool In Summer

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Summertime can be tough on chickens, as the heat can cause stress and heat stroke. Here's a guide on how to help your chickens stay cool during the hot summer months:

  1. Provide shade: Chickens need a shaded area to escape the hot sun. Make sure your coop and run have plenty of shade, such as trees or tarps.

  2. Keep water cool: Chickens need a constant supply of fresh, clean water. Make sure to change the water frequently and keep the water in a shaded area to keep it cool.

  3. Provide a cool dust bath: Chickens love to take dust baths to keep cool. Provide a shallow container filled with a mixture of sand and dirt for them to roll in.

  4. Air circulation: Make sure the coop and run have good ventilation to keep the air circulating and prevent overheating.

  5. Keep food and treats to a minimum: Chickens don't need as much food during the hot summer months, as their metabolism slows down. Avoid giving them treats as they can cause heat stress.

  6. Keep the coop clean: Clean the coop regularly to remove manure and other debris, which can contribute to the heat and humidity.

  7. Use a mister: A mister can help to keep the chickens cool by providing a fine mist of water.

  8. Provide a wading pool: Chickens love to splash in water, so providing a small wading pool can help to keep them cool.

  9. Keep an eye out for heat stroke: Chickens can suffer from heat stroke, which can be fatal. Signs of heat stroke include panting, disorientation, and lack of coordination. If you suspect a chicken has heat stroke, get it out of the sun immediately and cool it down with cool water.

  10. Keep your flock healthy: A healthy flock is better equipped to handle the heat. Make sure to keep your chickens well-fed, hydrated and provide them with regular veterinary care.

In conclusion, chickens need extra care during the hot summer months to avoid heat stress and heat stroke. By providing shade, cool water, dust baths, good ventilation, minimal food and treats, clean coop, mister, wading pool, monitoring for heat stroke and keeping your flock healthy, you can help your chickens stay cool during the summer.


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