Keeping Chickens Cool in the Summer?

When summer hits hard, our chickens feel it way more than we do. With no sweat glands and all those feathers, even a warm afternoon can turn into a real struggle for your flock.

I’ve had summers where I was checking the coop every few hours, worrying if I was doing enough — and after plenty of trial and error, I’ve found a few things that really help. If you’re trying to keep your chickens safe and comfortable during hot weather, here’s what’s worked best for me and fellow backyard keepers.

1. Offer Cold, Clean Water — All Day Long

Water is your number one defense against heat stress. I like to put out extra waterers in shady spots and change them more often in the summer. Chickens are picky — if it’s warm or dirty, they’ll drink less. On extreme days, I even float ice cubes or frozen water bottles in their bowls to keep things cool.

🧊 Tip: Use wide dog bowls or black rubber tubs. They stay cooler and are easier to clean.

2. Make Shade Their Favorite Spot

If your run gets full sun, create shade with whatever you have — old sheets, tarps, feed bags, umbrellas. I once repurposed an old camping canopy, and it worked like a charm.

🌿 Bonus idea: Plant a fast-growing shade vine like squash or sunflowers along the fence. Natural shade + chicken snacks later on.

3. Add Frozen Treats They’ll Actually Eat

I freeze chopped fruits and veggies in muffin tins or ice cube trays — cucumbers, corn, watermelon, strawberries. On scorching days, I toss them out mid-afternoon and let the hens go wild.

🐓 Their favorites: frozen peas in water and chilled watermelon rinds.

4. Improve Coop Ventilation

Stale, hot air in the coop is a recipe for heatstroke. Open up all vents, clean out the dust, and consider adding small fans or a solar-powered vent fan if you live somewhere really hot.

🛠️ DIY trick: I added hardware cloth over a few low windows and leave them open all night — it makes a huge difference.

5. Skip Corn, Scratch & Heavy Treats

It’s tempting to spoil your flock with scratch grains or corn, but they create internal heat during digestion. Stick with hydrating snacks and leafy greens when temps soar.

🥬 Better summer treats: lettuce, cabbage leaves, cucumbers, frozen fruits.

6. Let Them Free-Range or Dust Bathe in the Coolest Spots

If you have the space, open the run early in the morning or evening when it’s cooler. Chickens instinctively find shady, breezy places and will dig their own dust baths — which help cool them and keep mites at bay.

🏡 I even built a mini shaded dust bath box using a plastic tote and play sand — total hit.

7. Know the Signs of Overheating

Keep an eye out for:

• Panting with beak open
• Wings spread away from the body
• Lethargy or wobbly walking

If a bird shows signs of overheating, move them to a cool spot immediately. Offer cool (not icy) water and gently mist their feet or under wings.

Final Thoughts

Keeping chickens cool in the summer doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Sometimes it’s as simple as moving the water bowl to the shade or handing out a frozen tomato. You’ll quickly figure out what works best for your flock — and they’ll thank you for it with happy clucks and steady egg laying.