Hot weather tips

The weather can be unpredictable, and when temperatures rise, your hens feel it too.

As things heat up, it’s essential to keep a close eye on your flock and make sure they have ways to stay cool and comfortable. Here are a few simple steps you can take to help them beat the heat:

Ensure access to fresh, cool water at all times

Coldwater is going to be your hens’ best friend during the summer months. To make sure it stays cool, keep it under a shaded area and check if they need more throughout the day. To make sure it’s refreshing and cool, try to replenish it twice a day, especially if you find it’s become warm.

Provide a shady area

Your hens will need a shady area to cool down in during the hot midday sun. An area underneath their hen house, if this is raised, is ideal. Other ways to do this is to use a parasol near the run or create a ‘den’ style shady area using chairs and a blanket. This is a creative way of involving the kids.

Dust Baths

Provide dust bathing spots for your hens – they like to get ‘clean’ when the weather is warm. This can either be a makeshift dust bath in an old litter tray or sun pit or your hens will most likely find a good spot in your flowerbeds! To find out more about dust baths and the perfect dust bath recipe, take a look here.

Ventilation is key

Ensure your hen house is well ventilated during the night, a cool breeze with help your hens become a little more comfortable on those warm nights! You can use wire mesh across windows if you’re worried about predators entering.

Beware of the red mite!

Remember to treat for red mite! The bane of all hen keepers, these little critters will undoubtedly make an appearance over the summer months. Use a powder such as diatomaceous earth and a disinfectant spray to keep them under control.

Sun Cream

If you’ve just adopted some feather bare hens, remember they may need sun cream on bald patches, just like us! Keep it in the fridge to really give them a cooling down effect.