How to keep your chickens cool when temperatures rise.

Do temperatures soar in your area in the summer? Did you know that excessive heat can kill chickens very quickly? 

Chickens are experts at keeping warm in the cold, but heat is a different matter. Once the temperature hits 30ºC (86ºF) they will struggle. And heat stress can be fatal if it's not dealt with quickly.

It's critically important to watch for signs of overheating, and to take action as soon as you spot a problem.

When to act.

Start planning to help your chickens cool down before temperatures get too high. Don't leave it until the heatwave hits – you're losing valuable time.

Need a quick reference guide to overheating signs?

If you're unsure of the symptoms to look for when your chickens are trying to keep cool during summer heat, here are the ten most common signs of heat exhaustion.

Why is heat a problem for chickens?

Poultry don't have sweat glands, so depend on losing heat through their wattles and combs.

But sometimes, that's just not enough.

• They're still just about comfortable at around 24ºC (75ºF) but anything over that and they'll start to feel uncomfortable. 
• Once the dial hits 30ºC (86ºF), they need help to remain at a safe body temperature.
• By the time the temperature reaches 32ºC (90ºF) they'll be at serious risk of over-heating. If the weather remains hot and they get no help to keep cool, heat stress will result.

Heat stress can lead to serious problems – and can be fatal.

6 simple steps to keep chickens cool in summer.

When temperatures rise, your chickens rely on you to stay safe. 

The six simple steps use things you probably already have to hand. But remember: be prepared in advance. Make sure you have these tools in hand now.

Want to watch these tips instead?

Here's a video summarising some simple, inexpensive steps I use to keep my flock hydrated on hot days.

1. 🚰 Make sure they have plenty of cold, clean drinking water.

In hot weather, chickens drink up to five times more than usual. It's their main way to cool down.

• Change water often: ensure a constant supply of cold, clean water, even if it means changing it several times each day.

• Use shallow, shaded containers: metal heats quickly, so keep metal bowls in the shade – and remember the sun moves, so check at different times of day.

• Consider using several small bowls instead of one large one, placed around the run so chickens don’t have to go far.

• Use "food safe" materials only: avoid using plastic that's not labelled food safe: chemicals can leach into the water.

• Try a cooling stone or ceramic bowl like this one. These materials keep cool for longer.

🧊 Cooling water tip:

• Put a large ice block in a shallow dish. Frozen water bottles or used milk cartons work well. It will melt slowly in the heat and keeps the water cooler for longer. 

🛑 Important: avoid apple cider vinegar in heat.

Apple cider vinegar can be helpful in winter, but in hot weather it raises chickens' metabolism which in turn raises their temperature.

 Apples are fine, but skip the Apple cider vinegar when it's hot.

2. 🧋 Use electrolytes to help keep chickens cool.

If your chickens show signs of overheating, adding electrolytes to their water helps them rehydrate quickly.

Think of electrolytes as a chicken-friendly form of Gatorade – without the added sugar and colouring. 

They help replace vital minerals and vitamins lost during heat stress.

• Only use when needed, not every day
• Too much salt can be harmful, so follow a proven recipe
• Try my simple home made electrolyte mix here.

3. 🍉 Use juicy fruits (in moderation) helps chickens cool naturally.

Cold, water-rich fruits are plentiful in the shops (and on our trees!) now, and they're a healthy, hydrating treat. 

Watermelon is one of the best options because:

• it's over 90% water with no fat, very little salt
• it's rich in vitamins and antioxidants

• chickens ingest the liquid naturally as they peck.

• See this article for tips on which part of the watermelon is best for chickens, plus two flock-friendly recipes.

• Other fruits like pears, strawberries and figs are also good choices, but serve in moderation to avoid messy droppings.

4. 🥶 Freeze summer veggies for a cool, long-lasting treat.

Frozen treats are a great way to keep your chickens cool and hydrated, especially in extreme heat.

This easy trick not only cools them down, but keeps them busy during the hottest part of the day.

Here's how to make a frozen veggie block (it's really not rocket science...).

• Use water-rich vegetables like...

🍅 tomatoes (yes, they're safe apart from the tomato vine)

🥒 cucumber

🌽 sweetcorn (not cracked corn - that will raise your flock's temperature)

🥕 shredded carrot

🥬 salad leaves

• Place in a bowl or mould, add water, freeze overnight.

Here's a step-by-step article about the frozen treat my chickens love.

5. 🛁 Provide dust baths to help chickens keep cool (and mite free).

Dust baths serve two purposes. They:

• help keep chickens cool in heat by regulating their body temperature
• naturally control warm weather parasites like lice and mites.

Easy and inexpensive dust-bath set-ups include:

• children's sand-pits
• old, used car tyres
• shady patches we can provide, like umbrellas or the shade of trees (my chickens love the area under our fig tree).

Bonus tips...

• Make sure your summer dust baths are always in the shade. Chickens will use them more often and stay cooler for longer.

6. 🏡 Keep your coop cool with ventilation and summer bedding.

Your flock may enjoy being outside in hot weather, but they need a cool, healthy coop to retire to, especially at night.

🌬️ Ventilation matters.

• Make sure ventilation is above chicken head height. Hot air rises, and good circulation helps it escape while keeping chickens safe from drafts.
• If your coop has power, instal a small fan to boost air movement. Something like this (affiliate link) is perfect – but make sure both fan and wiring are out of reach.

• Keep coop door(s) open during the day  to allow heat to escape. 

🏖️ Try swapping your bedding for sand in hot weather.

• While deep litter helps in winter, construction sand (also called "river sand" or "washed sand") is a better choice in summer. 

• Avoid play sand – it's too fine and can cause respitory problems.

• Sand stays cooler, drains well, helps keep feet healthy and is an instant dust bath!^{(1, 2, 3)} 

• It also reduces disease risk and deters flies – as long as you scoop droppings daily. 

If you've taken these simple steps, your chickens will thank you with better health all summer long!

Frequently Asked Questions.

Here are some other articles you'll find useful for summer chicken care.

Sources.

A lot of "facts" you'll find on the internet are often people's individual views, based on inaccurate information repeated from poor quality sources.

The information I provide in this article and others is based not just on my own experience, but on evidenced facts from scientific, peer-reviewed research and books from highly respected and experienced poultry keepers such as Gail Damerow.

Some of the trusted sources I have used in this article are these.

1. S. F. Bilgili et al: "Sand as litter for rearing broiler chickens". Pub. Journal of Applied Poultry Science, 1999.

2. B.D. Bowers et al: "Sand litter temperatures during brooding". Pub. Oxford University Press, 2003.

3. V. A. Toroc et al: "Influence of different litter materials on cecal microbiota colonization in broiler chickens. Pub. Oxford University Press - Poultry Science, 2009.