Hey everyone! If you live in the upper Midwest like I do, you understand my need to not complain about the heat after our very long, cold winter! Even though I love the heat, my girls aren’t necessarily sharing my love.
Heat stress in chickens can be very dangerous and even deadly to your birds. The loss of electrolytes in the heat can be a silent killer because it is not something you can see. Just like humans, chickens need electrolytes to remain healthy. Depletion of electrolytes can lead to kidney malfunction, weakened immune system, respiratory disease and can create soft shelled eggs because it depletes calcium stores. To learn more, here is a great article on heat stress.
Since we’ve already had a couple 90-degree days, we needed to get the girls ready for the warmer temperatures. We have shade available when they’re outside, as well as good ventilation in their coop. I also make sure their water stays cool by providing fresh water often. Extreme heat and chickens don’t mix very well. Be sure to check on your flocks often when the heat and humidity are high.
Another way to keep your chickens cool in the summer is with frozen treats! It’s a great way to keep your chickens from overheating, but also gives them some entertainment to prevent boredom.
As a fun, healthy treat, I’ve whipped up these frozen treats with Flock Fixer™. The girls literally “flock” to it and can’t get enough. What is Flock Fixer™ you may ask? Flock Fixer™ is a product from Strong Animals Chicken Essentials that we give to our flock in times of stress.
Flock Fixer™ contains electrolytes for rehydration, vitamins, prebiotics and probiotics, and organic essential oils to keep your flock hydrated and healthy. And, it is so simple to mix up! You can simply follow the directions on the package or follow our recipe below to make frozen treats.
Flock Fixer™ Frozen Treat Recipes
Summer Fusion
- Chop and add 1 cup of each item to a 2.5-quart glass bowl.
- Apple
- Pineapple
- Orange Pepper
- Strawberries
- Spinach
Next, add 3 tsp of Flock Fixer™ and 3 ¾ cups of water. Mix together thoroughly and freeze for 4-6 hours or overnight. Once it’s frozen, run the bowl under warm water to loosen the treat. Then, it’s ready for your chickens to enjoy!
Berry Banana Burst
Chop and add 1 cup of each item to a 2.5-quart glass bowl.
- Raspberries
- Black berries
- Banana
- Carrots
- Green Pepper
Next, add 3 tsp of Flock Fixer™ and 3 ¾ cups of water. Mix together thoroughly and freeze for 4-6 hours or overnight. Once it’s frozen, run the bowl under warm water to loosen the treat. Then, it’s ready for your chickens to enjoy!
Greensicle
Chop and add 1 cup of each item to a 2.5-quart glass bowl.
- Peas
- Kiwi
- Yellow Pepper
- Peaches
- Tomatoes
Next, add 3 tsp of Flock Fixer™ and 3 ¾ cups of water. Mix together thoroughly and freeze for 4-6 hours or overnight. Once it’s frozen, run the bowl under warm water to loosen the treat. Then, it’s ready for your chickens to enjoy!
Sunrise Sunset
- Chop and add 1 cup of each item to a 2.5-quart glass bowl.
- Corn
- Red Pepper
- Mango
- Blueberries
- Cucumber
Next, add 3 tsp of Flock Fixer™ and 3 ¾ cups of water. Mix together thoroughly and freeze for 4-6 hours or overnight. Once it’s frozen, run the bowl under warm water to loosen the treat. Then, it’s ready for your chickens to enjoy!
Veggie Delight
- Chop and add 1 cup of each item to a 2.5-quart glass bowl.
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Zucchini
- Yellow Squash
- Papaya
Next, add 3 tsp of Flock Fixer™ and 3 ¾ cups of water. Mix together thoroughly and freeze for 4-6 hours or overnight. Once it’s frozen, run the bowl under warm water to loosen the treat. Then, it’s ready for your chickens to enjoy!