Ventilate nest boxes as much as possible. Nesting areas that lack ventilation could subject hens to heat stress while laying (especially if they go broody). Most hens will lay early in the day, picking them up as soon as possible is best from a food safety standpoint and will help prevent hens from going broody. Eggs should be picked up even more often in extreme heat waves. Reduced intake also leads to reduced calcium which could negatively affect eggshell quality. Feeding hens layer rations in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are lower will aid in increasing feed consumption.Įgg production will likely decrease during periods of extreme heat due to decreased feed intake. Things such as frozen watermelon or fruits/veggies chopped and frozen into a block work to keep hens cool and busy without excessively filling them up. Treats should be aimed to increase hen hydration without further decreasingĬonsumption of lay rations. It's important to limit treats and extras (especially scratch grains). A slightly damp floor is cool and refreshing, a sopping wet swamp breeds disease and attracts pests.įeed consumption during extreme heat waves will likely go down a hot chicken will have a decreased appetite. If you choose to set it up inside the coop or run, use caution that it doesn’t soak feed bins or overly saturate the coop floor. Set up the mister in a shady area near a water supply. A simple, standalone mister that attaches to a garden hose can be purchased for around $12. The dry Arizona weather lends itself well to evaporative cooling. Misters are another way chicken keepers cool their flocks. It is not uncommon to see extremely watery droppings during periods of high heat due to increased water consumption. It is important to change open water daily to prevent coccidiosis from spreading. Low sided dishes or pans will allow hot chickens to wade in and cool their feet. Add ice cubes, ice blocks, or frozen water bottles if needed to keep water cool. Provide multiple water sources located in shady, cool areas if possible to encourage hens to drink. Ideally, hens will have a more ventilated shaded area, but if that is the only source of shade a fan can help move air around.Ĭhickens should always have access to fresh, clean, cool water, especially in the summer heat. The insides of small coops or other enclosed buildings can get very stuffy. Ensure that the shady place has proper ventilation. This may be trees or specifically constructed shades. Chicken should have a place to get out of the sun when they begin to get too warm. The most basic and important needs are shade, water, and ventilation.
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