How can we keep our chickens cool?

[draggar]

As we all know, it's hot out. It's hotter then hell out.

Our chickens are doing fair in this hot weather - all day they have their wings out (meaning that they are hot). We're trying to find a low maintenance way to keep them cool.

They are in shady areas - the hutch is covered with a darkly tinted plastic top plus we have a canopy like thing over them (filters out 60% of the sun).

We've though of fans but even with the best extension cord and electrical tape, they will short out if it rains.

Mister - 2-way splitter (with their own turnoffs) for the hose, one end for a mister but this would make our water bill skyrocket and would run the risk of hose bursts.

Other thoughts?

[Rebel1012]

A bit of a long shot, (but misters with fans are the first thing that came to my mind).....try a white sheet over the top of the hutch or white panels on the sides that get sun.

White reflects more light than say a brown wooden hutch side and many times more light than a black or grey slate or felt roof. Less light absorbed by the panels/roof means less heat

[Parrothead]

Terra Cotta tiles with water on them. (if chickens can swim) a little pool like a birdbath. I was going to suggest a mister, but you said that...

[Bright_Star]

How about laying ice all through there? With the fans running it'll be like a "poor man's air conditioner". It'll help lower the temperature.

[Frantic Freddie]

My chickens are very cool.

Might have something to do with the fact that they have no feathers.
Or heads.
And they're in the freezer

[TowelKing]

Misters are your best bet. Either that or a combo of misters and fans. Loose dirt would also be good. Chickens like burrowing a bit to get closer to the ground to stay cool.

[XCashier]

These are all pretty good ideas. You might ask at your feed store if they have any suggestions, too; they're usually very knowledgeable about animals.

[teh_blumchenkinder]

Collect the rain in pools and whatnot, and have that be the source of water to mist with. Water that comes from the hose is sanitized, and that's why it costs-- right?

[Seshat]

If you have tiles (terracotta is good, but anything porous), soak them. Put the soaked tiles in the chicken coop. The chickens will quickly discover the wonders of evaporative cooling.

[draggar]

Terracotta tiles - I'll have to consider that.

I'm also thinking - get some white plastic and cover the fans (very well) to try to keep those dry?

[pitmonkey]

You might look into white wash. that is the traditional way to keep greenhouses cool.

[Food Lady]

I don't have any advice, but I gotta say the mental picture of chickens in a kiddie pool is so cute. (I love chickens).