I did a little data collection. The high was forecast to be 100, and at 10:30am I was quite excited that the chicken’s runs were still in the 80s even though the nearest station was reading 95 degrees. Then 4pm happened. 102 degrees in the shade. Yuck.

I took ice out to the chickens twice and switched out the water in the foot baths four times. Although I had the styrofoam cooler filled with ice packs and the fan running, I feel like it is these foot baths that make the biggest difference for the chickens.

Another telling thing is that almost all of the chickens’ feet feathers are wet. So they are taking turns cooling their heels.

I had an apple with some bruised parts, so I used a peeler and took it down to the core, put the shavings in one of the plastic bins and added water. After it was frozen solid, I offered it to the chickens on a hot summer afternoon. This one went over much better than the veggie block! By the evening, the only bits left in the bin were the actual peels, and the water was even still cool!

My friend was kind to offer me an old toy organizer (with plastic bins on a wooden stand). At first I wasn’t sure where I was going to put it, and then I thought: I need it for the chickens! The small bins work well to make super-sized ice cubes, and I think the larger bins will work for the base of nesting boxes.

I put peas and carrots and herbs into a small bin, added some water, and froze it overnight. A little hot water on the base and the cube popped out. The chickens were wary (as usual with a new treat), so we put some meal worms on top. They loved that; the veggies not so much.

I think next time I will try a fruit ice block.