It’s hot here in Minnesota! The heat index has been in the high 90s and low 100s for the last week. The air is heavy with humidity and we have all done our best to stay hydrated. We were making supper last night and I asked my family if any of them would like to sit outside on a day like today while wearing a winter coat. They all looked at me like I was crazy and I explained to them that’s how the chickens were feeling!
Why Chickens Struggle in the Heat
It’s always a challenge to keep our backyard flock healthy and cool in the summer heat. In fact, the winter months are a bit easier on them because they have a built in winter coat! Chickens don’t have sweat glands, so they really have no way to cool their body temperature if they get too warm.
Tips to Keep Your Chickens Cool
Here are some of the best ways to help your flock stay cool during those hot summer months:
Fans: If possible, set up fans in or around the coop to circulate air and reduce heat.
Fresh, cold water: Ensure your chickens have access to clean, cool water throughout the day.
Shade: Make sure your flock has access to shaded areas where they can escape the direct sun.
Treats: Offer snacks like fruits and vegetables, and for an extra cooling boost, freeze them! Avoid high-carb snacks in the summer and opt for fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds and greens instead.
Fun and Healthy Chicken Treats: Watermelon Popsicles
Today, I have a super fun treat idea for your flock that will beat the heat, keep them hydrated and supported, all while being a boredom buster! Flock Fixer watermelon popsicles are a hit around our coop. The chickens love, and I mean love, watermelon! I made up these fun treats in about 10 minutes and the chickens went wild over them. Obviously, they’re a spin off of Flock Fixer Frozen Treats and are a healthy snack that is good for them.
What is Flock Fixer?
Flock Fixer is a water additive for your flock. It is a vitamin rich additive that helps hydrate, restores vital nutrients and helps balance digestive health. It contains prebiotics, probiotics, electrolytes, organic essential oils and vitamins to ensure your flock stays healthy in times of stress. I am absolutely certain that Flock Fixer has saved some of our chickens' lives! It’s so easy to use as well. One scoop to one gallon of water and you’ve just mixed up health for your flock!
Watermelon Popsicle Recipe for Chickens
You Will Need:
Watermelon sliced
Flock Fixer
Gallon of water
Plastic or silicone containers
Instructions:
Mix 1 scoop of Flock Fixer with one gallon of water and shake well.
Cut up your watermelon and place in containers.
Pour Flock Fixer water over the containers and cover.
Freeze for 4 hours or overnight.
Pro Tip: I used to pop out the “popsicles” and let them melt on the ground. Now, I keep them in the containers so that as they melt, the water and fruit stay contained. This way, the chickens can still drink the Flock Fixer water instead of it being wasted on the ground!
Stay cool, everyone!
–The Wing Lady
Flock Fixer - Hydrate & Restore Health During Times of Challenge
You can’t always see it, but your flock will experience a weakened immune system during times of challenge. Flock Fixer is a vitamin-rich additive that helps hydrate, restore vital nutrients and balance digestive health.