Hot weather takes a tremendous toll on chickens, and this year we're seeing record-breaking heat and drought, all across the south.
I've read multiple reports of chickens getting heat stroke and dying, sometimes within a hour or so of appearing to be just
fine.
So I searched through a number of blogs to see what methods people are using to keep their chickens happy and cool,
and which methods work best. Based on that research, here are my suggestions:
1. Freeze water in plastic jugs and then use
them to cool the coop,
a wading pool, or waterers.
2. Add reflective film to any glass windows in
the coop.
3. Cover as much of the run as possible with shade cloth or a tarp.
4. Install water misters or a misting
fan in the run.
5. Sprinkle the run with water; chickens like to rest on the cool soil.
6. Feed the chickens watermelon
to keep them hydrated.
7. Hook up a regular fan, but tie a large, wet sponge to the front.
8. Add a wading pool
or pan of water; chickens like to stand in water
to cool off. A hard plastic sand box works well, and lasts
longer
than flimsy wading pools.
9. Replace solid wood doors on the coop with screen doors.
10.
If you've got the money to do it, hook up a window air conditioning
unit. I've seen small
ones on sale for around $100.
11. Add water to their feed to make a mash.
12. Set frozen bottles of water in windows
to cool off wind blowing
into the coop.
13. Turn a plastic trash can on its side, then place a
bag of ice inside.
It makes a cool space for chickens to rest. You can do the same
thing with with a covered litter box.
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