Coop Habits That Make Summer Miserable for Chickens

Summer’s hard on chickens—especially in hot, humid states. But sometimes we’re the ones making it worse without realizing it. These coop habits might be adding more heat, stink, and stress than necessary.

Not Enough Ventilation

If the coop doesn’t breathe, the heat builds up fast.

Chickens don’t sweat—they pant. And if there’s no cross-breeze or airflow, they’ll be sitting in stagnant, muggy air. Add more vents or install a fan if needed.

Keeping the Windows Shut

You might shut windows to “keep predators out,” but you’re also trapping in ammonia and heat.

Use hardware cloth to safely open windows or vents. A little airflow goes a long way in cooling things down and reducing respiratory issues.

Deep Litter in Summer

It’s fine in winter, but in the summer deep litter holds heat and moisture.

It also smells worse and gives flies a reason to hang out. Switch to more frequent cleanouts with thinner bedding during hotter months.

Feeding in the Coop

If your feeder’s inside, the spilled feed and warm temps make a perfect spot for bugs and mold.

Move feed outside if you can—or clean the coop daily to keep it from turning into a buggy mess.

No Shade Over the Run

If your chickens can’t escape the sun outside, they’ll stay cramped in the coop—and that makes everything worse.

Tack up a tarp, lean a piece of plywood, or add shade cloth to the run. Even a little shade makes a difference.

Water That’s Not Cold Enough

Hot water doesn’t cut it when it’s 100 degrees outside.

Keep extra waterers in the shade or freeze water bottles to float in their dishes. Chickens will avoid drinking if it’s too warm, and that’s when problems start.

Too Many Birds

An overcrowded coop feels even tighter when the temps spike.

Give them room to spread out. If you’re raising meat birds in summer, cull on time. And don’t crowd your layers if you want them laying consistently in the heat.

Not Doing Fly Control

Flies stress chickens out. They swarm open wounds, lay eggs in bedding, and make it hard to rest.

Use fly traps, sprinkle diatomaceous earth in bedding, and don’t let manure pile up too long. Clean, dry coops stay cooler and less buggy.

Skipping Dust Baths

Without a proper dust bathing area, chickens stay itchy and grumpy.

Dry dirt in a shady spot helps them stay cool and pest-free. Add wood ash, dry soil, or DE and keep it where it won’t flood every time it rains.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.