How To Keep Chickens Cool In The Summer Heat – 10 Game Changing Hacks

This post is all about how to keep chickens cool in the summer.

Ways To Keep Chickens Cool In The Summer Heat – Prevent Heat Stress

When that summer heat rolls around, chicken keepers everywhere start worrying about how to keep chickens cool in the summer. Keeping chickens cool during summer months is often more challenging that keeping them warm in the winter. In the winter they have their warm feathers, and can bundle together to keep warm. But in the intense heat of the summer, our feathered friends need a little help to avoid heat stress. In this post, we will discuss helpful ways to keep your chickens cool and prevent them from overheating.

As a means for providing for my family, I may earn commissions if you shop through the links on this page at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

Signs Chickens Are Too Hot

It’s very important to look out for signs your chickens are too hot. So keep an eye out for these tell-tale signs:

• Panting/heavy breathing
• Elevated Wings (holding their wings up/out away from their body to create air flow)
• Acting lethargic
• Decreased energy/activity
• Pale combs and/or waddles
• Watery droppings
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss

It’s important to monitor your chickens for these signs of being overheated, but ideally you will have preventative measures in place to avoid these symptoms all together.

See: Ultimate Chicken First Aid Kit: What You Need For A Healthy Flock

What Is Too Hot For Chickens?

Chickens can begin struggling in the heat when temperatures reach around 85 degrees Fahrenheit , but as temperature reach and exceed 100 degrees, it becomes especially dangerous. Also, there are several factors that impact how those temperatures will effect your flock.

Different chicken breeds are more or less heat tolerant, age of chicken, ventilation in the coop, and overall health of your chickens all impact their ability to handle the summer heat, and changes in weather.

Effective Ways To Keep Chickens Cool In The Summer

Now that you know what to look out for, let’s dive into some effective tips for keeping chickens cool during summer.

1. Shade

Providing ample shade in your chicken coop and run is absolutely critical for keeping chickens cool in the summer. So if you don’t have a covered run, or if sun shines directly into your coop/run from the side, this shade cloth is affordable, and effective for providing shade from the intense sun, offering a cooler environment for your chickens with minimal effort. It’s high-quality and easy to install, making it a perfect addition to your summer coop.

2. Ventilation

Ensure your coop has proper ventilation so your chickens don’t get overheated. This can be done by opening windows in the coop, or installing vents. When opening windows, it’s a good idea to have them covered with hardware cloth to prevent predators from entering the coop.

3. Solar Powered Fan

Adding a Solar Powered Fan to your chicken coop and/or run provides a lot of relief to your flock during those hot summer months. It’s a very effective way to cool down your chickens and prevent heat stress.

4. Cold Treats

Offering your chickens cool treats such as watermelon and cantaloupe can help them combat the heat as well. Additionally, consider filling a container with water and berries, and freezing it. Once frozen, put it in the coop. They can peck at it, and as it melts it offers them a cold snack that will stay cool for much longer than just putting refrigerated fruit out. Offering frozen berries is another great option.

Want to make it cute? Freeze water and fruit in these cute summer ice molds, and offer as a yummy (and cute) frozen treat for chickens.

5. Keep Water Cool

Another simple way to help keep chickens cool in the summer is to always ensure they have access to cold water. Replace the water multiple times during the day to ensure it’s cold. Additionally, place the waterer in a shaded area if possible. This will help keep the water cool longer, and can even minimize algae growth. Another hack is to add ice, or frozen water bottles into their waterers to keep the water cool longer.

6. Misting Cooling System

Consider adding a Misting Cooling System to your chicken run to offer your flock some relief from the summer heat. (These systems are also great for patios, green houses, landscape areas, etc.!)

This system is highly rated, a #1 best seller, and easy to install.

7. Electrolytes For Chicken Water

Adding electrolytes to your chickens water during the summer helps prevent dehydration, which can be very dangerous for your flock. This Recover 911 Water Supplement is a popular choice among chicken keepers. It is uniquely formulated with the adequate combination of probiotics, prebiotics, electrolytes, oregano and plasma to help alleviate symptoms of severe stress, such as weather extremes. (It’s also helpful when addresses stress related to social hierarchy, predator attacks, molting, and exposure to illness.)

8. Splash Zone

Put a kiddie pool in the chicken run (or free range area) with shallow water, so chickens can splash around as needed for a quick cool down. Be sure not to fill the pool too high, and maintain clean water.

9. Dust Baths

Set up a dust bath in your chicken run. It’s super simple, chickens LOVE it, and helps regulate their body temperature. In addition to regulating body temperature, dust baths also prevent parasites (such as lice and mites), encourages good feather and skin health, combats boredom, supports their natural behaviors, and provides social interaction.

Making Your Dust Bath:

Grab this small kiddie pool, fill it with construction sand (the sand used for chicken coops, not play sand), soil, First Saturday Lime, and these Nesting Herbs. Your chickens will thank you for it!

10. Select Heat Tolerant Chicken Breeds

If you’re still in the process of building your flock, an obvious way to keep chickens cool in the summer, is choosing heat tolerant chicken breeds. Leghorns, Rhode Island Reds, Australorps, and Minorcas and all chicken breeds that are more heat tolerant. On the other hand, Wyandottes, Buff Orpingtons, and Brahmas are known for being much less heat tolerant than other breeds. (They are better in the winter than their heat-loving friends). So if you live in a very hot climate, you may want to avoid those breeds, unless you plan to take many actions to keep them cool in the summer.

In conclusion…

Keeping chickens cool in the summer is essential for every chicken keeper. As we’ve covered in this post, a few simple steps can make a big difference in protecting your flock from the dangers of extreme heat. Healthy, comfortable hens mean plenty of fresh, nutritious eggs for your family to enjoy. Take the time to prepare now—your chickens (and your egg basket) will thank you all season long.

FREE Baby Chick
Temperature Chart

Make sure your chicks are always at a safe temperature with this baby chick temperature chart.

​

​

​

​

Get the Free Download Here.

Send Me The Free Chick Temperature Chart

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

Built with Kit

---

RECENT POSTS

---

What You’ll Find Here

Are you eager to embrace the homesteading lifestyle, but worried about not having enough land? Fear not, for you don’t need vast acres to become a mini homesteader. With a little creativity and effort, you can transform your backyard into a thriving homestead, complete with chickens and a garden. Imagine the satisfaction of growing your own food and using it to whip up delicious, healthy meals. And if you’re ready to take the plunge and raise backyard chickens, you’ve come to the right place. This is where we’ll guide you through the world of modern homesteading.

Follow Us On Tik Tok and Instagram!