Feathered Forecast: How to Keep Chickens Cool during the Summer Heatwave

Greetings, Flockmates! Henrietta here, with our first-ever Feathered Forecast, in lieu of the recent heatwave.

While I maintain impeccable poise in any weather, some chickens need a bit more help staying cool when mercury rises above 85°F.

Since we don't have sweat glands, we rely on you to help us not become a panting puddle of regret.

Heatwaves pose serious risks to your flock, including heat stress, heat stroke, and death.

Luckily, I'm here to bestow some feathered wisdom, like how hot is too hot for chickens, ways to keep your hens cool, and tips for spotting heat stroke in chickens.

Read on for "Henrietta Featherbottom's Comprehensive Guide to Surviving Summer"!

Henrietta and her human sitting in a kiddie pool in an attempt to keep the chickens cool in the summer

Henrietta having a dip in the pool with her featherless flockmate

How I Stay Cool (Because I'm a Professional)

Chickens have several ways of regulating their body temperature, since they can't sweat. Some natural ways intelligent chickens, like me, stay cool include:

Panting elegantly (Unlike some hens who sound like accordions)
Dust baths (Mud masks are so summer-chic)
Languishing in shade (I recommend a cabana)

Lounging gracefully on my side with my wings open

Henrietta the chicken sunbathing on a beach towel while practicing ways to keep cool in the summer

Henrietta enjoying some sunbathing

What temperature is too hot for chickens?

Ideal temp: 65–75°F (With a gentle breeze and some grub treats…)
Danger zone: 85°F+ (Gertrude starts impersonating a pancake)
Deadly: 100°F+ (Unless you enjoy sweaty chickens)

Signs Your Chickens are Overheating

Below are some signs that your chickens might be having difficulty regulating their body temperature. If you see these, it may be time to take extra precautionary measures to help cool them off.

Panting like we just ran a marathon (we didn't)
Holding our wings away from our bodies (It's not a fashion statement)
Laying fewer eggs (Priorities, people—survival over omelets)
Lounging on their side with their wings open
Reduced activity

Henrietta with her wings slightly open and panting a method chickens use to cool down in the summer heat

Henrietta demonstrating how chickens regulate their body temperature naturally

Signs of Heatstroke in Chickens

Heatstroke is considered a chicken health emergency, and you'll need to act fast to prevent a fatality if you see the above symptoms along with:

Labored breathing
Stumbling
Your hen falling over

Skip down to emergency measures for first aid when caring for a hen that has heatstroke!

Your To-Do List (Get to It)

Here are some precautionary measures to ward off heat-related illness and keep your chickens cool during the summer. (We'll also cover what to do if your chicken exhibits signs of heatstroke. Pay attention!)

1. Fix That Sweltering Coop

Ventilation — Add fans or windows to improve airflow. (And place machine cloth over any openings to prevent predators from entering!)
Opt for reflective roofing rather than shingles on your coop (for heaven's sake—no black roofing—we're chickens, not charcoal briquettes).
Add a shade cloth— Unless you want us fried, not fertilized.
Frozen water bottles — For leaning against, obviously.
Install a mister for optimal basking.
Set up a kiddie pool or basin of cool water for your chickens to stand in (it's never a bad day for a pool day!)*
Pop in to make sure your chickens aren't panting in the coop at night, especially on exceptionally warm nights.

Chicken coop with reflective roofing to help keep chickens cool in the summer

The reflective roof my humans installed to keep the Featherbottom flock cooler

2. Hydrate Us Like Royalty

Keep waterers filled with ice water: No tepid puddles, please.
Cool or frozen treats: Watermelon, frozen mixed vegetables, smoothie mix (literally anything chilly will be a welcome coop addition!)

Henrietta enjoying some cool fruit and frozen veggies that the humans offered to help cool the chickens during a summer heatwave

Henrietta snacking on some cool cantaloupe and frozen broccoli

3. Offer Electrolytes to your Flock

Add powdered electrolytes to your hens' water for an added boost. Remember, electrolytes are just as crucial as H2O in the summer sun.

No powdered electrolytes on hand? Use my handy recipe!

Henrietta's homemade electrolyte solution recipe for chickens

Mix the ingredients below well and store in an air-tight mason jar. This recipe will make three 1-gallon servings.

You'll need:

1/3 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon potassium chloride (optional but highly recommended!)

How to prepare:

Mix 2 tablespoons into 1 gallon of cool water & serve in your finest waterer.

4. Emergency Measures (For Overheated Hens)

If your chicken is demonstrating signs of heat stress, follow the steps below — it could save their life!

Move us to the shade (immediately).
Dunk our feet in cool (NOT ice cold) water. (And keep it off our feathers—we're not ducks!)*
Offer water, electrolytes, and frozen treats.
Seek veterinary care if your hen doesn't improve.

* Cooling chicks down too quickly can result in shock, so avoid leaving them in water for an extended period. If, after submerging in water, they begin to tremble or act abnormally, towel them off and blow them dry with a hair dryer on medium heat.

Henrietta the chicken keeping cool by the kiddie pool in the summer

Henrietta chilling poolside

FAQs

Q: What temperature is too hot for chickens?

A: The ideal range for chickens is between 65–75°F. Temps over 85–90°F are considered the danger zone.

Q: Can chickens die from heat?

A: Yes, which is why you need to take precautionary measures to prevent heat stress, monitor your flock, and act quickly if you see signs of heatstroke or heat stress.

Q: Can chickens have heat strokes?

A. Yes, and it can be fatal. Act fast if you see:

Lethargy
Labored breathing
Stumbling or collapse