If you are wondering how to cool chickens down on a hot day, then you’ve stopped at the right place! Make an electrolyte rich frozen fruit bowl to keep chickens happy and healthy in extreme heat.
We love our chickens! They lay eggs, are so cute and make us laugh! When it comes to keeping chickens safe and healthy during heat waves, our little friends need our help. This frozen fruit bowl helps keep our flock’s water cold and the frozen fruit offers a chilly treat when they need it the most. Frozen food and cold water actually lowers chickens’ body temperature from within, this treat is not only pretty but can also be life saving during bursts of extreme heat.
What are the best fruits and vegetables for chickens?
We used strawberries and blueberries, but you can use a wide variety of produce for this frozen bowl. Other great options are watermelon, pears, apples, grapes, lettuce, beets, broccoli, carrots, kale, swiss chard, squash, pumpkins and cucumbers. Don’t overdue the sugar! Everything in moderation applies to chickens as well.
How to tell if your chicken is too hot?
- Panting (similar to how dogs do)
- Fluffing up their feathers to allow air to circulate against their body
- Decreased egg production
- Lethargic behavior
If you notice any of these these behaviors, don’t panic! Often times, this is normal chicken behavior in the summer and if you make sure to provide enough water and ventilation, they’ll be just fine. This is also a great time to make a frozen fruit bowl!
Ready to give it a try!? Here’s what you’ll need..
Supplies for Frozen Fruit Bowl:
-
- 2 different sized plastic bowls– 1 larger and 1 small
- Ice
- Fruit- We used strawberries and blueberries.
- Water
- A few rocks
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How to Make the Frozen Fruit Bowl:
Step 1: Grab a larger plastic container, some ice cubes and pieces of fruit.
Place your larger plastic container on a table and put a few handfuls of ice at the bottom of your container. Add a few pieces of fruit as well.
Step 2: Grab a smaller plastic container, some ice cubes and pieces of fruit.
Place your smaller plastic container on top of the ice cubes, in the center of the larger plastic container. Place some ice cubes and pieces of fruit in between the larger and smaller containers to keep the smaller container centered.
Step 3: Grabs a few rocks.
Place the rocks in the smaller plastic container to keep it from floating up after you add the water.
Step 4: Add water.
Add water in between the larger and smaller plastic containers and freeze!
Step 5: Loosen the frozen fruit bowl.
Take the rocks out of the small container and fill it with warm water. Let it sit until it loosens and can take the small container out. Then run warm water on the outside of the large container until the the ice bowl pops out! Add a little cold water and take it out to the coop!
Chickens will love pecking at the frozen fruit and water! Berries contain healthy vitamins and minerals that are great for chickens and the cold water will help them cool down on hot summer days! Keep your chickens happy and make a frozen bowl today.
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I hope you enjoy this chicken activity as much as I do!
-Tara
