07/26/2026
🥵 The heat index is pushing 110°+… and the flock is feeling it too! 🐔🦆
While we’re sweating through our shirts, our feathered freeloaders need a little extra help to beat the heat. Here’s how we keep the ladies (and the quackers) comfortable:
☀️ Fresh, cool water — Check it often! Warm, dirty water won’t cut it. We add extra waterers and even toss in a few ice cubes.
🍉 Cold treats — Watermelon, cucumber, frozen peas, berries, and chilled lettuce are like popsicles for chickens and ducks.
🌳 Shade is worth its weight in gold — Make sure they have somewhere to escape the direct sun. No bird wants to roast before dinner.
💨 Keep the air moving — Good ventilation is a must. A fan outside the coop (never blowing directly on confined birds) can help move hot air.
💦 Ducks are living their best life — Fresh water to splash around in helps them regulate their body temperature. They’re basically on a pool vacation while the chickens complain.
🥚 Don’t panic if egg production drops. When it’s this hot, hens focus on staying alive instead of laying breakfast. That’s completely normal.
🚨 Watch for signs of heat stress: panting, wings held away from the body, lethargy, or refusing to eat. If you see those signs, cool them down immediately with shade, fresh water, and airflow.
Remember… if you’re miserable outside, your birds probably are too.
Now excuse us while Dad Chicken Tender refills water buckets for the 47th time today, and Little Chicken Tender reminds everyone that the ducks have a better summer vacation than we do. 😂