06/30/2026
🔥How to Keep Your Chickens Cool! ☀️
Silkies are not heat hardy and are especially susceptible to heat stress. During periods of hot weather, it’s crucial to keep a close eye on them and take extra precautions to help them stay cool and comfortable.
- Do’s -
- Do keep cool freshwater at all times - check and replace several times a day.
- Do add multiple water sources.
- Do allow them access to lots of shade.
- Do have a well ventilated coop and run.
- Do add fans if you can.
- Do spray the ground with cool water – This can help lower the surrounding temperature and provide a cool surface for chickens to stand on, helping cool their feet.
- Do give them cool (Not frozen.) treats - Chilled watermelon, cucumber, cantaloupe, lettuce, and berries are excellent choices.
- Do avoid handling birds during the hottest part of the day – Handling adds unnecessary stress.
- Do add 1 teaspoon of baking soda per gallon - Helps counteract blood acidosis, which is caused by rapid panting. Replaces essential electrolytes and buffers the digestive tract to promote better calcium absorption. - Only be given occasionally during heatwaves, not as a daily supplement.
- Do watch for signs of heat stress – Heavy panting, holding wings away from the body, lethargy, pale combs, drooping, and reduced appetite are all warning signs.
- Don’ts -
- Don’t add apple cider vinegar to their water - Can cause Respiratory Alkalosis and Soft-Shelled Eggs especially in times of extreme heat.
- Don’t spray poultry with water - It traps the heat against their bodies, and interfere with their natural cooling mechanisms.
- Don’t give them frozen treats - During high heat can actually raise their body temperature while digesting, defeating the purpose of cooling them down.
- Don’t overcrowd your coop or run – Crowded conditions make it much harder for birds to stay cool.
- Don’t force birds into direct sunlight – Make sure they always have a shaded retreat.
- Don’t leave stagnant or dirty water – Warm, dirty water discourages drinking.
- Don’t ignore birds showing severe heat stress – If a bird is collapsing or unable to stand, move it to a cool, shaded area immediately and cool it gradually (not with ice-cold water).