Keep Chickens Cool for Summer

Summer is the worst time for many animals. The sun is beating down, the bugs are at an all time high, and in many locations storms sweep through unpredictably. For chickens, these conditions can be deadly if they are not given proper shelter. The best way to keep chickens safe from summer heat and hurricane weather is by keeping them safe in shelter, or their coop. For this summer keep your flock safe from hot and unpredictable weather using these tips for their coops.

Ventilation. For any coop to be successful during hotter months, you need to ensure proper ventilation for your flock. If there is no ventilation within the coop, the air will remain moist, stuffy, and could be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. With any good coop, ventilation is a must, and a key element to look for when shopping for (or building) a coop.

Open Wall. It may seem like a strange idea, but going hand in hand with proper ventilation is an open wall concept. The idea is to leave one wall slightly down, giving the open wall, or half wall, feel. This allows for air to flow freely within the coop while still providing ample shelter. If you worry about unwanted bugs entering the coop, such as mosquitoes, apply a netting to the wall but be sure it is high enough that your flock will be unable to reach it.

Fans. Although not recommended, installing a small fan towards the ceiling of a coop can provide plenty of fresh air to chickens. This is a bit of a riskier item though as fans can injure chickens if not installed properly or if installed too low. Before you install a fan be sure to take all necessary precautions to ensure your flocks safety.

Shade and fresh water. The best thing for a chicken that is too hot is access to shade and plenty of fresh water. For flocks that are roaming free in the yard, be sure to provide shade. Shade can be in the form of smaller, less expensive coops with access to water.

Sprinklers. It may seem like an idea more for children, but sprinklers can provide much needed relieve to overheated chickens. During the warmer days a rotating sprinkler can help water not only your yard, but can also splash chickens with cool refreshing water.

Dirt. Going hand in hand with the water idea, dirt can provide some relieve for overheated chickens as well. Chickens can sometimes be found tossing dirt onto themselves in an attempt to keep cool and ward off bugs. For this reason, keep clean and debris free dirt on hand for chickens to play in.

This summer make it a safe and cool summer for your flock. Proper coops, shade, water, and dirt will surely help your flocks stay cool, and safe, this summer.

S. O'Connor is the owner of Chicken Houses Plus located in Archer, Florida. In addition to raising healthy, happy chickens the company also provides fertile chicken eggs, egg incubators, and Amish built chicken coops. Customer service is available via Live Chat.