Summer Don't's For Your Chickens

 

Don't Spray, Mist, or Dunk Your Chickens 

Chickens don't bathe (in water). They cool off by holding their wings out from their bodies and fluffing their feathers to allow air to circulate. Spraying your chickens down defeats the purpose and takes away their ability to naturally cool off. Do not try putting them in pools, especially chlorinated pools we use, no matter what you see on social media. Chickens can't swim, will become waterlogged, and drown. If you do use a kiddie pool make sure the water is low enough so they cannot drown. I also add a couple of paver stones in the pool for them to stand on, it will aid them in cooling down faster in a safe healthy way.

You can spray down the coop and run to help cool things off, but you shouldn't spray your chickens directly or dunk their whole bodies in water, just their feet. Also, some chickens do not know how to do this instinctively, but you can help them learn. 

Don't Stress Your Chickens

Chickens stressed from the heat outside will decline more quickly if they are being antagonized by your dogs, kids, you. Best thing for them is to relax, nap under a shady tree, in some cool dirt, slow down, and stay cool. It's also not really a good idea to hold them while they are trying to cool off. The best thing to do is to let them handle the heat the best way they know how, such as;  standing in water, getting into the cool dirt, fluffing their feathers, etc.

Spraying down shaded ground and having dishes with water they can stand in to cool off, even drink nice big gulps out of, is a great way for you to help them! 

Don't Feed Scratch Grains or Corn

Scratch Grains and corn are treats that create heat in the body as your chickens work to digest them, so scratch grains should be given as treats during the cold winter months only.

You can help your chickens stay cool by dicing up fruits and veggies, you can even freeze them, and giving them that as a great summer treat. Watermelon is an amazing fruit for them and full of electrolytes. I also enjoy giving them cucumber, lettuce, and diced up strawberry. You have tons of options when it comes to fruits and veggies for your chickens.

Don't Lock Your Chickens In Their Coop During The Day

We are told to lock up our chickens when we first bring them home; from a few days to as long as 2 weeks to help them adjust to where they will be roosting and laying. If your run is attached to the coop this doesn't really apply to you as you are able to keep them confined and they should still learn to roost in the coop easily. Many people just have a building (coop) that they open to a free range area. Sometimes in those situations, new chickens will attempt to roost in tree's and really any where they can get high away from predators at night. Even if the coop is spacious for them, it is entirely too hot during the summer for them to be locked in it all day.

Your chickens will figure out where home is before you know it. There's no need to lock them up. Fresh air, natural shade, a slight breeze, and the ability to find the best dust bath is all they really need!