Chicken Heat Safety Tips
Keeping your flock cool in hot climates is critical to their health.
Did you know a chicken's normal body temp is 105°F - 107°F? Having a high body temperature to begin with makes chickens extra susceptible to heat-related ailments. A chicken exposed to extreme heat can experience organ damage, egg deformation, and even lead to death.
To combat this, we're sharing a few top tips to keep your flock cool in the heat.
How to keep your chickens cool in the heat:
Provide constant access to cool, clean water.
Dehydration is one of the largest concerns for chickens on a hot day. Make sure your waterers are filled at all times with cold water. Ensure waterers are in a shaded area to keep it as cool as long as possible. Some chicken keepers will also add ice to the water.
Create shaded areas that your chickens can retreat to.
If your chicken run is in a spot that gets a lot of sun, you can use shade cloth or canopy to keep the sun from beating down directly on your flock. Here’s a few easy shade options available on Amazon for under $30:
Ensure your coop is well ventilated.
There should be ample air flow through the coop to regulate temperatures. Depending on your coop’s orientation, you can also use a fan to increase air flow.
Keep the ground cool.
Surfaces in direct sunlight can reach temps much higher than the air. Keeping the ground wet using a spray hose or mister can help regulate this. Here’s a few options available on Amazon:
Offer water-packed, hydrating treats.
Watermelon is a favorite among many flocks. Cooled berries, cucumber, and leafy greens will also leave chickens happy and a little more hydrated.
Offer a wet, clean area for chickens to stand in.
While you shouldn't get a chicken's entire body wet (this makes them unable to regulate their own body temp), allowing them to stand in or near a shallow wet area can cool their body through their feet. Some people use kid's pools with blocks to stand on for this.
