Getting Your Chickens Ready for Summertime: A Warm-Weather Prep Guide for a Happy Flock
- Mercedes Newman
- May 21
- 3 min read
As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, it’s time to turn our attention to helping our feathered friends thrive during the summer months. Chickens are surprisingly hardy animals, but they still need a little help staying cool, comfortable, and healthy when the weather heats up. Whether you’re a seasoned chicken keeper or just starting out, prepping your flock for summertime is essential for their well-being.
Here’s how we get our girls (and roos) summer-ready on our homestead—and how you can do the same.
🐔 1. Keep Them Cool: Shade and Ventilation
Chickens don’t sweat, so keeping them cool relies on smart setup and management. First and foremost, make sure your coop and run offer plenty of shade. Trees, tarps, and shade cloths work wonders, and a well-ventilated coop helps keep air moving during the hottest part of the day.
If you’re building or upgrading your coop, cross ventilation—windows or vents on opposite sides—is ideal. Just make sure the airflow is gentle and doesn’t create a draft at night.
💧 2. Hydration is Everything
In summer, fresh, cool water is your flock’s best friend. Chickens need access to clean water at all times, but especially during the heat. Add multiple waterers around the run, and check often to make sure they’re full and clean.
💡 Bonus tip: Add a few ice cubes or frozen berries to their water bowl for a cool treat and extra hydration!
🧊 3. Fun Frozen Treats
One of our favorite summer routines is making frozen snacks for the flock. We like to freeze chopped fruit, corn, and greens in muffin tins with a bit of water. Pop one out on a hot day and watch the chickens peck away in delight!
You can also freeze watermelon slices for a refreshing snack—and they’ll love you for it.
🧹 4. Deep Clean and Pest Check
Summer is prime time for mites, lice, and flies, so we make sure the coop is deep cleaned and treated before the heat arrives. Use natural pest deterrents like diatomaceous earth, and keep bedding dry and fresh.
If your hens enjoy dust baths (and they will), refresh their bathing areas with a mix of sand, wood ash, and DE to help them stay cool and pest-free.
☀️ 5. Watch for Signs of Heat Stress
Keep a close eye on your flock for any signs of overheating, including:
Panting or open-mouth breathing
Lethargy or standing with wings outstretched
Pale combs or wattles
If you notice these signs, act fast: move them to shade, provide cool water, and gently mist their feathers if needed.
🌿 6. Adjust the Feed
In hotter months, your chickens may not eat as much. You can supplement their diet with light, refreshing foods like leafy greens and cold veggies, while making sure they still get enough protein and grit to support laying and health.
🏡 7. Light Summer Changes
We adjust routines in the summer, often letting the chickens free-range during early morning and late evening when it’s cooler. We also limit afternoon activity in the coop to avoid heat stress.
Final Thoughts
With a little planning and TLC, summer can be a wonderful season for your backyard flock. Watching them dust bathe under a shady tree or enjoy a frozen treat is part of the joy of raising chickens from the heart of your homestead.
Take care of your flock, and they’ll reward you with healthy feathers, steady egg production, and happy clucks all summer long.
Have your own summer chicken tips? Share them with us—we love learning from fellow chicken keepers!
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