How to keep your flock comfortable
Summer is just around the corner, and that means high temperatures and humidity, neither of which are good for backyard chickens. As a chicken owner, you need to do a little extra to keep them cool and comfortable during the hottest part of the summer.
Thermoneutral zones
One thing you should be aware of as a chicken owner isof thermoneutral zones (TNZ)— the ambient temperature at which animals thrive. TNZ varies by age. When a chicken is not in its TNZ, it must change its basal metabolism or behavior to maintain its ideal body temperature. Long-term deviations from a chicken's TNZ will result in reduced hatchability, eggshell quality, egg production, feed conversion, growth rate and ultimately death.Hit stresscan also reduce the feed consumption of chickens and weaken the birds' immunity.
Look after
What does heat stress look like when you observe your herd? Chicks that are too warm will puff and spread their wings to release body heat. Panting releases water into the air, which can ultimately lead to dehydration and an imbalanced pH value.
A good rule of thumb is that when temperatures rise between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, it is time to start chilling your chickens. If temperatures are closer to 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, this can be dangerous.
Body heat
Chickens lose body heat through radiation, conduction, convection and evaporation. When the temperature is comfortable for chickens, they lose heat from their comb, combs and other areas not covered with feathers through the first three methods. When the temperature starts to rise, the heat loss becomes evaporative. Birds cannot sweat, so they pant to cool themselves through evaporation. Prolonged breathing can lead to an electrolyte imbalance.
Related article:Nutritional needs for summer
Reduction of heat stress
An obvious way to keep your chickens cool in the summer is to make sure they always have clean, cool water. Warmer water will be less effective at cooling chickens and will allow mold, bacteria and other microbes to grow in the water. You can also add electrolyte solutions to drinking water. Feed the chicks in the early morning or evening, during the coolest parts of the day.
Cooling the loft
Keeping the garden cool is an excellent way to ensure your flock is comfortable in warm weather. A shiny chicken coop roof reflects sunlight and heat, lowering the temperature of the chicken coop by several degrees, while a dull or dusty roof does not reflect as much sunlight and heat.
Clean up the dirt regularly, as accumulated dirt that begins to rot produces heat. Removing debris also lowers the humidity in the garden, reducing relative humidity. Make sure there is grass around it and no dirt, as grass absorbs heat while dirt reflects heat.
Keep the air moving
The best way to reduce the heat in the coop is through good ventilation. When chickens breathe and excrete waste, and when water evaporates from drinking, it causes the relative humidity to rise, making the temperature feel even warmer than it actually is. The airflow removes warm air and moisture. If you can't get enough natural airflow, you can install fans in your chicken coop.
In summer it is a lot of work to care for your chickens in the garden, but it is worth it to see your flock enjoying the sun and not suffering the ill effects of high temperatures.
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