07/02/2026
Chicken Health PSA:
We are located in Maryland and we are stuck in a heat dome 🥵 Temps are in the low 100’s with heat indexes in the 110’s. This is no bueno for our chickens, especially our prized Silkies.
Silkies have dense, fluffy feathers that trap the heat. Temps over 80 can be harsh on these birds so you can only imagine what THIS heat is doing to them.
Despite giving them ample ventilation in their coops- running multiple, large fans and watering down their runs to provide cool places to stand, I have caved. Yes. I’m THAT lady… I brought them into the nice, cool basement 🤦♀️. It’s not ideal… but with this heat, it’s where we are 🤷♀️. I’d rather have a dirty basement (they are in the unfinished side) than 5 dead Show birds.
If you are raising any chickens in your backyard, this heat is going to be hard on them. Please make sure you are providing them with the following:
- ample ventilation (run fans!!!)
- fresh, cold water
- wet, cool places to stand or lay next to (stones, bricks, concrete, and dirt runs can be hosed down and will provide cool places for them to get relief if in the shade)
- shade!!!
- frozen treats (freeze some corn, berries, melons, etc. in ice cube trays with some water and then let them pick at them once frozen. It’s hydrating and gives them something to do)
Stay cool everyone!
