With summer finally here and temperatures climbing, it is important to remember that chickens and roosters (and all domesticated birds) may need some special attention during the warm weather. With body temperatures running higher than humans, hens tend to feel the warm weather temperature increases before we do, and can become quickly overheated in the hot summer climes.
It is easy to spot an overheated or uncomfortable bird, as they remain stationary, with mouths open panting and/or with their wings spread. Without the ability to sweat, birds are obligated to try to cool down by breathing rapidly, holding their wings away from their bodies, seeking cool shade or drinking more water.
According to the Chicken Health Handbook by Gail Damerow, “A mature chicken starts panting when temperatures reach 85°F (29°C).” Chicks will start panting at slightly higher temperatures, however heat stressors very quickly result in physiological changes that manifest in potential health problems, reducing laying and/or smaller eggs in all domesticated birds.
Essential Water
Water is essential to the health and survival of hens, particularly in the warm weather. Remember that, as a general rule, hens drink twice as much water as the feed they consume (this is by weight not volume). Each day, a hen consumes an average of 1-2 cups of water, with laying hens drinking more than non-laying hens.
Chickens also drink more water when the weather is warm. It is important to ensure that the hens have access to clean water (watch for algae growth in dishes and water dispensers during the hot weather) and that there are adequate water stations to avoid fighting over access to the water. Like most animals, chickens need water over and above food to survive. According to the Chicken Health Handbook: “If a hen goes without water for 36 hours, she may go into a molt, followed by a lengthy period of poor laying from which she may never recover.”
Cool Chicken Coops
Unfortunately, too often bird coops are built for only one season and lack adequate ventilation for weather extremes – including the hot summer weather. Cramped coop conditions filled with too many overheated hens will lead to potential health problems and a reduction in egg laying. Chickens use more air than any other animal in proportion to their size and need adequate coop ventilation and air flow for optimum health, particularly in the warmer weather.
Installing a simple non-mercury thermometer in the chicken coop is a necessity for any backyard flock farmer, as it allows you to better regulate coop temperatures and lets you know when you may need to cool the coop down. In a clean, well-ventilated coop, chickens are comfortable until about 77°F (25°C) - slightly higher temperatures are OK if the chickens are slowly acclimatized to the heat.
Chicken coops and hen houses need to have good ventilation and lots of predator proof windows that can be opened for air circulation during warmer temperatures. Skylights or ceiling vents are also important for releasing warm air that may become trapped in coop ceilings, but these have to be closed at night or well covered by tough wire mesh.
Always ensure your coop is kept clean and free from rotting straw, bedding and chicken feces, as the warm temperatures will cause the rotting bedding to produce heat as it composts and the feces’ build-up will produce an excess of ammonia gases which, again, can lead to health complications.
Never lock the hens into an extremely hot coop as they will be much more prone to fighting, stress behaviours and illnesses as a result of the sweltering conditions.
Shade Reduces Sunburn
The birds’ fleshy combs and waddles are very susceptible to sunburn and it is important that the animals have access to a cool, shaded area during the warm weather. Picnic umbrellas and old bed sheets can be draped over the coop and/or placed in strategic sun blocking locations to provide the hens with shade.
Fans, Ice & Cooling Techniques
Installing a simple fan will guarantee the coop can easily be cooled when the temperatures become uncomfortable for the birds. Always check that the fan is not a fire hazard and that there is no danger of overheating.
If a fan is not an option, then ice placed in a metal bowl can be an effective and simple natural air conditioning method. As the ice melts, heat is absorbed from the air, cooling the coop area and, the melted water can also be a good source of cool water for the chickens to drink. Avoid direct sunlight entering the coop as it will rapidly melt the ice and raise the coop temperatures.
During extremely hot weather, spraying the roof of the coop (not the hens) with water will help reduce heat as the water evaporates it will greatly reduce the roof temperature. In the mornings, before you let the hens out, the outer pen area can also be hosed down. However, chickens should not be left standing on wet ground, or in water, as this will lead to problems with their feet and leg joints.
Living Walls
One simple and green technique for keeping the coop and pen area cool during the warm months is to use living walls or greenery as a natural cooling mechanism, while also providing shade and lots of privacy. Choose deciduous trees, shrubs and perennials that will provide leaf cover in the summer and not provide too much dampening shade in the winter.
Another option is to plant climbing flowers or vegetables in pots and containers around the coop. Fast growing, low maintenance options include climbing nasturtiums, sunflowers, flowering snowpeas as well as peas and beans. The addition of the plants will make your coop look like a leafy jungle while providing the hens with much needed shade and cooling, as well as perhaps the odd treat to eat.
Cooling Chicken Treats
When our hens are getting too hot and none of the above is keeping them cool, we make organic blueberry corn ice cream for the gals. Using frozen blueberries and corn, we mix in a bit of water or organic yoghurt and blend until we achieve the texture of ice cream. The hens usually enjoy their summer ice-cream treat.
Chilled fresh organic blueberries, plums and watermelons are also favourite cooling summer treats for chickens during the warm weather.
Valerie Williams is a writer living on Salt Spring Island with several happy chickens.
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