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Create Cool Retreats: The Power of Shade
Shade is the first line of defense against the blazing sun. Whether you're raising chickens in a backyard or on a homestead, providing shaded areas helps prevent overheating and encourages normal behavior like foraging, dust bathing, and egg-laying.
Easy Shade Solutions:
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Tarps or Shade Cloth: Stretch UV-resistant tarps or breathable shade cloths over the run. Secure them so they stay put during wind or storms. Angle them slightly to allow hot air to rise and escape.
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Natural Foliage: Trees, shrubs, or even tall potted plants can offer cool, dappled shade throughout the day. Fast-growing options like sunflowers or climbing vines (e.g., cucumbers or beans) along a trellis can also provide temporary summer shade.
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Portable Shelters: Dog houses, A-frame shelters, or overturned crates give your flock options to escape direct sun anywhere in the yard.
Breathe Easy: Coop Ventilation That Works
Ventilation isn’t just for odor control — it’s essential for removing excess heat, humidity, and ammonia buildup inside the coop. Poor airflow can turn a cozy coop into an oven during the summer.
Key Ventilation Tips:
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Install Vents High and Low: Hot air rises, so place vents near the roof to let heat escape. Lower vents can pull in cooler air, creating natural circulation.
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Keep Windows Open (Safely): Use hardware cloth over open windows to allow fresh air in while keeping predators out. In very hot climates, consider replacing a solid wall panel with screened wire during the summer months.
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Use Fans (If Needed): In extreme heat, a small, secure fan can help move air through the coop. Choose battery-operated or solar options if you don’t have electricity in your coop.
Signs of Heat Stress in Chickens
Even with shade and ventilation, it’s important to monitor your flock for signs of overheating:
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Panting with open beaks
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Wings held away from the body
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Lethargy or drooping
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Pale combs or wattles
If you see these signs, offer cool water with electrolytes, mist the ground lightly (never spray the chickens directly), and move them to a cooler area immediately.
Say goodbye to stubborn brooder and coop odors with Chick Fresh Concentrate—now at a special discounted price! Get 4 oz of powerful odor eliminator (makes 1 gallon!) plus free 1-gallon and 24 oz spray bottles—everything you need for a fresher, healthier flock.
