Keeping Chickens Cool in the Summer
Overall, chickens are pretty good at adapting to the weather, but when you have sudden spikes in temperatures – it’s best that you help your chickens ease into the warm summer months.
Chickens thrive in temperatures in the low-70s … but as it starts to approach 80+ degrees … just like most animals, your chickens may start to overheat.
… and, this is especially true if it’s humid!
The heat can cause stress on the chickens – and, though, they may not die from the heat (unless they are dehydrated) – the stress may cause them to stop laying eggs for weeks (if not months!) … and meat chickens may stop putting on weight during the hot days.
Look for signs of overheating – such as: panting, the chickens keeping their wings spread away from their body and lethargy.
If you suspect your chicken is overheating, consider the following tips to keeping your chickens cool:
- Try to angle your chicken coop so that they can avoid direct sunlight from shining in the windows and doors – and so that the coop may provide some shade for the chickens ranging outside the coop.
- A simple fan will not only reduce the damage that humidity can cause to the coop, you’re chickens will love the circulating air!
- Corn and scratch generally create more body heat to digest those foods – instead, try feeding them pellets or crumble.
- For extreme weather conditions, consider getting a water mister and just let it run when the sun is the strongest. Try not to let the water pool because the chickens will want to drink the dirty, muddy water.
- Clean and fresh water, clean and fresh water, clean and fresh water … do I need to repeat this a 4th time? This is critically important!
NOTE: Some chickens are better adaptive to the heat (such as White Leghorns). If you haven’t purchase your flock yet, be sure that you select a chicken that is more likely to thrive in your climate.
Tagged with: Body Heat • Chicken Coop • Eggs • Extreme Weather Conditions • Flock • Fresh Water • Hot Days • Humidity • Keeping Chickens • Lethargy • Meat Chickens • Muddy Water • Pellets • Putting On Weight • Spikes • Sunlight • Water Pool • White Leghorns • Windows And Doors • Wings
Filed under: How to Raise Chickens
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