Chickens are effected by weather, just like us. Different kinds of weather can result in different things.
Rainy weather can result in cooler temperatures. Also, if chickens get too wet, they may get cold. It's important to make sure your chickens have a shelter to get out of the rain. Rain storms sometimes bring lightening. Lightening strikes trees and other tall objects. So, you need to make sure the shelter isn't attached to anything taller. Frosty weather can result in hypothermia, or lower body temperature, or frostbite. Frostbite is when a body part gets cold or frozen, loses blood flow, and the skin dies. To help prevent frostbite, some farmers will put petroleum jelly on exposed skin, such as combs, wattles, earlobes, and possibly legs and feet. At night, chickens need a shelter that protects them from the cold wind and helps keep them warmer. Hot weather may result in hyperthermia, or raised body temperatures. This may cause dehydration, organ damage, or death. Make sure you give your chickens plenty of water and shade to get out of the sun. If you give your chickens a pan of water, you can expect to see them stand in it to cool down. Chickens with more down will not do as well in hot places because they can't cool down as much. This is why some breeds do better in hotter climates--they don't have much down, or fluff.
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April 2016
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