[Pretty Chick]

Does anyone know of a good way to keep chickens cool?

They all seem to be really hot and wondered if I could do anything to help them cool down


Thanks 

[GrannieAnnie]

Are they free range pretty chick, or are they in a run?  Do they have any trees or bushes they can get under?  In a couple of my runs I've got these old sheets of polycarbonate that we rescued from a skip that my chucks shelter under, and I've got one that looks like a table for my older girls.  Last time i went into the garden they were all under that!

then the ones that are free ranging the garden go and sit under the conifer trees.

I just try to give them some shelter where its a bit cooler and make sure they have plenty of water to drink.

Some people have covered runs, but mine are too big for that

[Pretty Chick]

Hi GrannieAnnie 

Ours free range and have access to the whole garden, so have plenty of shade, especially under the apple tree  . They have 3 galvanised drinkers and 2 washing up bowls full of water.

[themagicaltoad1]

If they're in a run you could put the hose on the ground before you let them out in the morning, (it might frighten them to do it when they're actually in the run). I'm having to dunk 2 of mine in cold water at the moment to try and break their broodiness, they love it!

[joyfull]

mine free range, have loads of shrubs and trees as well as lorry wheel arches and a land rover hard top to shelter under. In your washing up bowls of water try adding a little splash of apple cider vinegar (the horsey stuff not the purified supermarket stuff) as this seems to make sure they drink more water  . Don't use this in the galvanised drinkers though.

[Pretty Chick]

Thanks for all the replies  .

In your washing up bowls of water try adding a little splash of apple cider vinegar (the horsey stuff not the purified supermarket stuff) as this seems to make sure they drink more water  .

Thanks Joyfull, I'll get some apple cider vinegar then 

[compostqueen]

I have green tarps round two sides and part of the back of the covered run but when it's been hot and sunny I've hung up chintz curtains at the front 

I was thinking of running out the extension cable and plugging in the oscillating fan but I thought my old man would go ape so I thought better of it.