Beating the Heat & the Summer Solstice

Miss Piggy keepin' cool in a shaded dust bath

Did you know that many chickens often fare better in cold weather than in the extreme heat?  Chickens don’t sweat like humans, so it can make it much more difficult for them to cool down on a hot day and they can very quickly become overheated. 

Heat-stress signs in a chicken include pale comb and wattles, standing with their eyes closed, panting, wings pulled out from their body, listlessness, trouble breathing, reduced egg laying, and unnatural lethargy. 

So, how can you help keep your flock cool in the heat of the summer months?  Here are some of the things I do to help my flock out in the Virginia heat and humidity:

• Throw your chicken-friendly fruit and veggie scraps into a bowl, add water and freeze.  Place the frozen block in the run and let them peck at the cool treat.

• Freeze their feed then set-out each day.

• Provide fermented feed which has higher amounts of water to aid in hydration.

• Provide treats in the early morning or evening when it is cooler.  Same with free-ranging, focus on the cooler parts of the day.

• Add ice to their water to keep it cool throughout the day.

• Add vitamins and electrolytes to their water.

• Set-up a misting system.  I have a rechargeable misting system that operates for about four hours before I have to re-charge and runs off of a bucket of water.  No need to hook up a hose. 

• Place river rocks or bricks in a shallow pan with ice water and herbs- it’s a cool dip for hot feet.

If your chicken is experiencing heat-stress, place their feet in cool water and bring them inside. Place a towel over their crate inside so they can rest and let their body temperature reduce slowly.  Check on them regularly and ensure they have clean cool water with electrolytes.  Try scrambling an egg and adding cold water to the mix as a special high protein treat while they are resting.  You never want to place an overheating chicken in a bath of cold water as the rapid change in temperature fluctuation can cause them to go into shock and potentially become fatal. 

How does the summer solstice affect your flock members? 

The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year and this means an increase in egg production within your flocks.  Chicken’s reproductive cycles are strongly influenced by daylight hours.  In the case of longer days,  hens are typically at their peak egg-laying performance during this time of the year.  Longer days also mean more time for foraging, scratching around, and social interaction. 

If your chickens are bored, you may see an uptick in flock bullying, feather picking, and other negative behaviors so be sure to include regular free-range time when you can.  As the summer commences, to help support your flock be sure to provide adequate shade, ventilation in the coop, and plenty of fresh, clean, cool water. 

Be Eggcellent,

Head Hen Rachel