We’re living in an oven. Today 114, tomorrow through Wednesday we are flirting with a chance of temperatures reaching 120 degrees. Keeping chickens is a challenge to say the least, but it can be done with the right survival tools. Chicken keepers have extra duties during this time, every flock is at serious risk of heat stroke /exhaustion. Making sure they have shade is #1 priority, also try and provide a mister and fan. If you don’t have either, don’t keep them confined. Allow them to dig a hole in the dirt under a tree or bush, preferably with a hose nearby on a slow stream or drip. Important: Don’t bring your chickens inside the house, it will be difficult for them to acclimate to the heat when returned outdoors.
Oh my! 116 today and keeping chickens in this ridiculous heat adds to my chore list when it’s just so hard to be outdoors. But for the love of chickens, I pour on the sunscreen, hide from the sun under a giant umbrella, and head out to the barn. By 8 AM it’s already in the 90s and too hot for the flock to be confined. It’s most certainly better to allow chickens to dig holes, seek out shade, and follow their instincts on ways to best battle the heat. Of course, as a desert dweller, I have a few tricks up my sleeve to help them find relief. A Few Tips, Create a Cooling Station Here’s what I do. There’s a portable mist system in the shade and a low-sided shallow pool with a few bricks inside for them to sit on. The bricks stay cool, some use it, and some don’t. None of the birds seem to fancy the mist system, nevertheless, it does cool the immediate air by about 20 degrees, so I entice them to the area with fresh greens or fruit.
Layer pellets are available, but kept in their coop where the temperature is undesirable. Considering there is corn in feed, it should be kept at a minimum because corn produces heat. Some chicken keepers will pull feed completely during the day when it’s this hot. But I find this unnecessary since chickens limit their food intake by choice… at least mine do.
Predators are a worry when the chickens are allowed to free roam, but let’s face it, confined chickens in 116+ temperatures is a death sentence in these parts. I take my chances, keep an eye on them, and hope during the day predators won’t be actively looking for food until sundown. Chickens like to dig holes, don’t discourage this. It’s their instinct to find cooler ground. They will look for anywhere water has been and choose that spot as the ideal place to settle into. Help them out, dump their drinkers in the same place every day, or leave a hose in the shade on a tiny drip. Keep the drinkers clean and offer COLD water during the day. Chickens aren’t fond of hot drinking water. Large drinkers will stay colder longer, but I also use shallow buckets or bowls so I can add a chunk of ice during the day. The worst choice for a water source (where it’s super hot) is nipple drinkers, here’s why…
Nipple drinkers are neat gadgets, but if you live in an oven, forget using them, especially the type with those tiny drinker cups. The water in the small cups gets way too hot and chickens avoid using them. Using nipples is just as useless in my opinion. The water in the container itself may be cool, but the water sitting in the lines heats up fast, and your birds won’t drink enough to stay hydrated. Remember, the sun moves, either you have to move your drinker to keep it in the shade, or provide water in various locations to assure there is cool water throughout the day. Nipple drinkers are not usually movable, they’re meant to be low maintenance, fill ’em and leave ’em… which is exactly why they’re not used on my farm.
Keeping your birds hydrated with cool water is absolutely vital… and just to make sure they have enough fluid intake, offer up some watermelon!
Is your chicken yard and coop suitable to sustain the well-being of your flock during the summer months? It’s essential to prepare for extreme heat, or your birds may suffer from heat exhaustion. Sun is the #1 enemy of confined chickens, especially in small quarters. In Phoenix, extreme temperatures will reach 115+ degrees, and we must take special precautions to help our chickens fare well. Remember, happy chickens fill the egg basket, agitated chickens acquire behavioral issues, are low producers, or may stop laying altogether. Here’s what you can do to keep your chickens happy and healthy this summer…
Suitable Housing
It’s not that hard to accommodate the basic needs of chickens in hot weather, with a little effort on your part they will fair well. First of all, cramped housing, even in the partial sun can be a death sentence. If your coop is too small, the easiest way to give them more room is to build a large enclosure around the coop. I can’t stress enough, the more space the better. Coop Location / Shade / Natural Behavior Your chickens need a shady place, watch the sun, and make sure their coop and play area has morning AND afternoon shade. Keep water out of direct sunlight and refill drinkers with cold water in the afternoon. You can also freeze a chunk of ice and put it in a shallow water container on those really hot days. Get acquainted with artificial shade products such as shade cloth, shade sails, and my favorite, grommet mesh shade tarps. Never use waterproof tarps, they inhibit airflow, which is crucial to your birds’ survival. Chickens stay cool by digging holes in the dirt. They must have a natural earth area to do so. Chickens may or may not appreciate a nearby mist system. If you choose to experiment, place it where it won’t interfere with their drinker or food source. If your birds are free-roam a wet area under a shade tree or low bush provides an ideal oasis for chickens. Dig a shallow hole large enough for your flock to enjoy the benefits of a hose on a slow drip. On really hot days, you can offer your birds relief by flooding that area about an inch deep. They will stay quite busy looking for worms and insects while they cool down.
Warning Signs of Physical Heat Distress
A common sign is a change in behavior, such as bullying, pecking each other, or pacing. When uncomfortable from the heat your chickens will hold their wings out from their body, pant, or both. Extremely dangerous signs of heat exhaustion are when your chickens become lethargic, pale, disoriented, or stumbling. This is when you must act quickly. At this point, it is best to submerge the bird in a large bucket or tub with WARM water. Place the bird in a shady, preferably grassy spot SEPARATE from the other chickens. If at all possible a fan is very helpful. I do NOT suggest bringing the bird into the house where it is cooler.
Quick Fix Fluids
An excellent source of fluids on a hot summer day is watermelon! If you have a large flock, simply cut a watermelon in half, set it on the ground, and let them feast. They will pick it clean and love every minute of it! Another option is adding electrolytes to your chicken’s water sources, you’ll find this product at your local feed store.
Feed & Diet
Scratch feeds should be avoided altogether in the summer. Corn is a hot feed, which is the last thing chickens need during summer. Instead, a bit of crimped oats will be accepted by your birds as a suitable treat. Feed in general produces heat, so on days that reach 115-120 degrees, I ration all feed, offering small portions a few times a day.
Bedding
Hay and straw hold heat, a better choice in summer is shavings or sand. Keep the coop and nest boxes clean, chicken droppings also produce unwanted heat. If you have broodies, make sure there is a convenient water source nearby and plenty of ventilation. A fan to help move the air around your birds is extremely beneficial.
TBN Ranch Chicken Keeping Resources 