11 Ways to Keep Chickens Cool in the Heat of Summer

Over 95 F ( 35*C) degress, chickens are in danger and prone to getting heat stroke. This video includes 11 things you can do to help your chickens through the hottest months. I include a few recipes including an electrolyte solution, Ayurvedic Buttermilk, and explain how to make cactus water. Be sure to watch everything until the end.

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1. Dark Shade.
The first consideration before getting chickens is to build your coop so that it provides dark shade during the summer months. Dark shade is very important. We built our coop under this tree, but the tree is not enough, so we built this roof to give them even more shade. If it is very hot outside, any sun shining on the chickens will increase the temperature.

2. Breed
Before you get chickens, research breeds that can do well in the heat, and the breeds that are built for the cold. Be sure to get the chickens that do well in hot climates.

3. Water
-More than one source: Make sure there is more than one source of freshwater, and check it often. Chickens love clean fresh water, and don't like to drink it when it gets murky.

-Shallow Dishes: Keep a few shallow dishes, or a small kids pool filled with water so they can choose to keep their feet in the water. It is important to have water in different areas of the c oop.

-Poultry Electrolytes: You can put chicken electrolytes in one water, and keep the others fresh to give them options.

4. Frozen jugs
Keep old jugs for freezing. These can be the old laundry detergent jug, or a used milk jug. Have several of these ready, and put them in the coop area as soon as the weather gets to 90 or above. The chickens will learn that they can lay and stand on these jugs. The temperature around the jugs is cooler. Have some ready for the day, and then bring out others when night falls so they get a good night's sleep.

5. Dig a hole.
Sitting low in some nice cool dirt is a great way for your chicken to cool off. Helping them to dig a deeper hole  allows more of its body to come in contact with this natural cooling method.

6. Chicken ice cubes with electrolytes.
Make ice cubes for your chickens with the electrolyte solution or something fruity. These ice cubes were made with a little bit of powdered gatorade and a pinch of salt. They love to eat ice on a cool day, and the ice works for them to lower their body temperature.

7. Gatorade— Only if it is an emergency.

8. Cactus water
In many of the southern parts of the US, cactus grows freely. All cactus varieties are edible, and cactus has some great cooling properties.
Once all of the needles have been removed, rise the cactus and cut into pieces. Once the cactus has been cut, fill a dish with water and put the cactus pieces in the water. Immediately it will begin to create a jelly- like consistency. Cactus grows in dry and hot climates and can survive with little water, since it comes from such a climate, it is made up of cooling properties to withstand those elements. This water is cooling for the chickens, and for people too.

9. Chicken popsicles. You can make these yourself, do not add sugar. These are made with some papaya blended in the blended with water and a pinch of salt.
1 cup of papaya + water.

10. Poultry electrolytes water solution- if you have a chicken in particular who is suffering from the heat, this mixture can be given to it with a dropper if it is not drinking on its own. This solution is also good to put in their water if it is very very hot outside and you observe the chickens panting.

This solution is: 1 teaspoon of sugar. 1/8th teaspoon of salt, 1/8 teaspoon of potassium chloride, and 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda.

IF the chicken is dehydrated and will not drink on its own, use some warm water to dissolve the solution, because it will be less of a shock to its body. Be sure to test the temperature of the water on your wrist like the temperature of food for a baby to make sure it is a good temperature.

11. Water Misters. Water and moisture is not good for chickens. Extra moisture can cause a number of funguses to grow and sicknesses to appear. Be sure the chickens have two options: and can choose between being directly underneath the misters, or away from the misters.

12. Ayurvedic Buttermilk.
This drink can give your chickens an Instant Re-hydration during a hot summer's day. The mixture of salt and water, cumin and cilantro, is an electrolyte drink which replenishes what the body needs immediately during the heat of summer.

1/2 cup of buttermilk, 1/2 cup of water. 1/4 teaspoon of cumin. Handful of cilantro.

The refreshing and soothing nature of buttermilk and spice provides calcium and will improve digestive system health. This recipe also restores the beneficial intestinal bacteria, aiding digestion.

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