Chickens do not sweat and rather to cool themselves they are seen panting or breathing rapidly. They are seen holding their wings outwards and this allows proper air flow.
But, Is this enough to keep the chickens cool? No. Heat waves during the summer months can prove to be life-threatening for the chickens.
Let’s get to know how you can keep chickens cool.
Signs of Heat Stress in Chickens
When you see these signs in the chicken, you need to take proper precautions to protect them from heat stroke, such as –
- Panting and drooping
- wings away from the body
- beaks wide open
- Discolored combs
- Decrease in appetite
6 Ways to Keep the Chicken Cool During Summer
Here are the 6 most common ways that you can implement to keep the chickens cool when the temperature rises.
1. Provide them with Shade
If the scorching heat is bothering the chickens, then you can dig a small hole under a tree and fill it with dirt, so that it can keep the birds cool. When the chickens start digging through the dirt, they will settle for the cool dirt beneath.
If the chickens are kept in an enclosed area, then you can provide shade or create a barrier based on the position of the sun throughout the day. If required, install blocks that can act as a barrier and block the heat during the hottest part of the day.
2. Provide a Fan
You need to install a fan within the coop so that the humidity can be reduced and the surrounding air can remain cool. This is also a helpful idea in case the natural breeze is not reaching the chickens.
You must also provide a thin bedding when the weather remains warm, otherwise, too much bedding would create heat inside the coop due to the building insulation. You must also provide enough ventilation in the coop.
3. Check the Flooring Material
Most coops have metal mesh as the floor design, but when the heat rises, these can become unbearably hot to stand on. However, this design is important to protect the chickens from predators, so you have to place the coop under shade during hot days.
4. Provide Enough Water
You must always keep a water source available nearby where the chicken can reach in case the surrounding heat arises. Keep an eye, so that the water sources are not kept directly under the sun. If you install automatic waterers, then ensure that the hose connected to it is not getting sunlight, every water source should be under shade.
You can also install a kiddie pool or make a little mud and wet sand for them to cool. If feasible, try to install a mister system to help the chickens cool, and as the water evaporates from the body of the chicken it carries away the heat.
5. Try to Provide Ice Treats
Freeze gallon jugs and place them inside the coop so that chickens can lay beside them and cool themselves. If there is a waterer or feed pan installed, then you can add blocks of ice to it. Chicken can also drink the melted ice water to stay cool.
Provide the chickens with frozen watermelons which would be a perfect ice treat for them during summer. This would also help them to boost their hydration point and keep their water content high. But, ice treats should be provided at limits otherwise it can lead to health issues.
6. Bring them Indoor
If you find any chicken is vulnerable or looking pale or lethargic or the cooling strategies are not working on them, then you need to bring them indoors. You can also set up a pen in a cool garage so that the body temperature of the chickens stays within the balance and this can prove to be a life-saving strategy.
Can Natural Herb Help to Keep a Chicken Cool?
Yes, there are many varieties of herbs available that can help the chickens with a natural cooling effect. You can provide them with peppermint, lemongrass, or lemon balm so that they can naturally acclimatize to the heat.
What is the Tolerable Temperature for a Chicken?
A chicken can tolerate a temperature around and below 75 degrees. They can adapt well to the changing weather but when the heat and temperatures rise, they suffer from heat stress and overheating.
Do Overweight Chickens Mostly Suffer from Heat Waves?
Yes, chickens that are overweight mostly suffer from heat waves. The most common breeds that get affected are Light Sussex, Faverolles, Australorps, and Orpingtons.
