Tips for keeping chickens cool in hot weather

• Coops can get very hot, make sure you let them out into their run or for a roam around before the day starts to warm up
• Try to position the coop and run in the shady part of the garden/yard
• Make sure your garden/yard has plenty of shade if they are allowed to roam around
• Make sure they have plenty of fresh water - in very hot weather hens can drink 500mls a day so make sure you top their water if they are getting low
• They always appreciate juicy treats such as tomatoes and juicy leaves in any weather, but they will go down especially well in the heat
• Hens may enjoy a sprinkle from the garden hose - not aimed directly at them! Then again they may run away...
• They are also pretty good at cooling themselves down with a dust bath in the shade.

The main things are not to keep them "cooped up" in a boiling hot coop and make sure they have lots of fresh water to drink.