6 Best Cooling Blankets For Poultry During Heat Waves Old Farmers Swear By
Keep your poultry safe in extreme heat. This guide covers 6 cooling blankets and methods, trusted by veteran farmers to prevent heat stress in flocks.
That dead-still air just before noon on a 95-degree day is a feeling every flock owner dreads. You see your hens, wings held out from their bodies, panting in the shade of the coop. This isn’t just discomfort; it’s the beginning of a dangerous slide into heat stress that can devastate a small flock in hours.
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Why Heat Stress is a Top Threat to Your Flock
Chickens can’t sweat. Their primary way to cool down is by panting, which rapidly expels body heat but also leads to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. When the ambient temperature climbs above their body temperature (around 105°F), they can no longer cool themselves effectively.
The first signs are subtle: lethargy, pale combs and wattles, and a sudden drop in egg production. You might notice thinner eggshells, too, as heat interferes with calcium absorption. If left unchecked, this progresses to seizures, organ failure, and death. It’s a silent killer that can wipe out your most vulnerable birds—the heavy breeds, the oldest layers, and the youngest chicks—before you even realize the full extent of the problem.
This isn’t just about survival; it’s about the well-being and productivity of your flock. A stressed bird is an unhealthy bird. Proactive cooling isn’t a luxury; it’s a fundamental part of responsible animal husbandry, especially as summer heat waves become more intense and frequent.
The Old Farmer’s Burlap Sack Soaker Method
You don’t need expensive equipment to provide immediate relief. One of the most effective, time-tested methods involves simple burlap sacks, the kind you get potatoes or feed in. The principle is evaporative cooling, the same way sweat cools your own skin.
To set it up, soak several burlap sacks in a bucket of cold water until they are fully saturated. Then, drape them over the top of your chicken run, securing them firmly with clips or zip ties. The key is to place them where they block the intense afternoon sun and allow breezes to pass through them. As the wind moves through the wet fabric, the evaporating water will significantly lower the air temperature underneath.
The main tradeoff here is maintenance. On a hot, windy day, those sacks will dry out in an hour or two, so you’ll need to re-soak them periodically. Avoid draping them directly on the sides of a poorly ventilated coop, as this can trap humid air. This method is best for open-air runs where airflow is plentiful.
Coolaroo Aluminet: Reflective Shade Cloth
Protect your plants and outdoor spaces with this durable 55% shade cloth. Made from high-density polyethylene, it provides essential sun protection while allowing airflow and easy installation with included grommets.
For a more modern, set-it-and-forget-it solution, Aluminet shade cloth is hard to beat. Unlike standard black or green shade cloth that simply absorbs sunlight to create shade, Aluminet is made of a knitted high-density polyethylene with a reflective coating. It functions like a mirror, reflecting a huge percentage of the sun’s infrared radiation away from the run.
This dual action is what makes it so effective. It provides shade while simultaneously preventing the heat build-up you get under a dark tarp or standard shade cloth. The open-knit design also allows for excellent airflow, preventing the stagnant, humid conditions that can make heat stress worse. You can feel the temperature difference instantly just by stepping under it.
While more expensive upfront than a burlap sack, Aluminet is incredibly durable, UV-resistant, and will last for many seasons. It’s a one-time investment for years of protection. For flock owners in areas with consistently intense summers, it’s one of the most practical upgrades you can make to your coop and run setup.
The Green Pet Shop Mat: A Brooder Solution
Sometimes you need a targeted solution for a specific situation, not a whole-flock approach. This is where pressure-activated cooling gel mats, often marketed for dogs, come in handy. These mats contain a non-toxic gel that absorbs body heat, providing a cool surface to lie on without refrigeration or electricity.
These are not for the main run. They are perfect for a brooder where chicks are struggling with heat, or for a single hen isolated in a hospital cage or broody box. The contained space makes a general cooling method difficult, but a small mat gives the bird a place to find direct, conductive cooling whenever it needs it.
The primary limitation is size and the fact they don’t cool the air. They also eventually warm up to the bird’s body temperature and need time to "recharge" in a cooler spot. Think of them as a specialized tool for vulnerable, isolated birds, not a general-purpose cooling blanket for your entire flock.
Dura-Kool Pads for Evaporative Cooling
If you live in a dry climate and are willing to do a bit of DIY, you can create a highly effective evaporative cooler using Dura-Kool pads. These are the fibrous, water-absorbing pads found inside swamp coolers. You can buy them in sheets from most hardware stores.
The setup is simple in concept. You build a basic frame to hold a section of the pad and mount it over a window or an open section of your coop wall. Then, rig a simple soaker hose or a PVC pipe with holes drilled in it above the pad to create a slow, steady drip. As a fan pulls air through the wet pad and into the coop, the water evaporates and can drop the internal temperature by 15-20°F.
This method is incredibly effective but has two major caveats. First, it only works well in low-humidity environments; in a humid climate, you’ll just be making a sauna. Second, it requires more setup than simply throwing a wet towel over the run. It’s a fantastic solution for the right climate and the right hobbyist.
Repurposed Canvas Drop Cloths for Shade
Before you buy anything, check your garage or workshop for a heavy-duty canvas drop cloth. These painter’s cloths are an excellent, low-cost material for creating shade and can also be used for evaporative cooling. They are far more durable than an old bedsheet and provide a denser shade than burlap.
Like the burlap method, a canvas cloth can be soaked in water and draped over the run. Because the material is thicker, it will hold water longer, reducing the frequency of re-soaking. However, this weight is also a downside—a large, waterlogged canvas cloth is extremely heavy and requires very sturdy support.
Make sure you’re using 100% cotton canvas, not a plastic-lined version which will trap heat and block airflow. The breathability of the cotton is essential. This is a great way to repurpose an existing item, providing a robust and effective sunblock for your flock’s run.
Soaked Terracotta Tiles as Cooling Stations
Cooling doesn’t always have to come from above. Providing cool surfaces for your chickens to stand on can offer significant relief, as they lose a lot of heat through their feet. One of the simplest ways to do this is with large, unglazed terracotta tiles or the wide bases used for large pots.
Simply submerge the tiles in a bucket of cold water for about 15-20 minutes until they are saturated. The porous clay will absorb a surprising amount of water. Then, place these soaked tiles in a shady, popular spot in the run. The chickens will naturally gravitate to them.
As the water slowly evaporates from the clay, it keeps the surface of the tile cool to the touch for hours. It’s a passive, low-effort method that creates "cooling stations" throughout the run. You can even place a few frozen water bottles on them to extend the cooling effect on the hottest days.
Safe Placement of Poultry Cooling Covers
How you use a cooling cover is just as important as which one you choose. The single biggest mistake is sacrificing airflow for shade. Never fully enclose a run with wet blankets or tarps. Doing so creates a stagnant, humid environment that can be even more dangerous than direct sun.
Your goal is to create cool zones, not a giant wet box. Always ensure there is ample cross-ventilation. Covers should be placed on the top and on the side receiving the most direct sun (usually the west side in the afternoon), leaving other sides open for air to move freely. Secure all covers firmly; a flapping tarp can spook birds, and one that collapses could trap them.
Most importantly, always give your flock a choice. They need the option to move in and out of the cooled area. Some birds may prefer to dust bathe in a dry, sunny spot and then retreat to the shade. By providing different zones, you allow them to regulate their own body temperature, which is always the most effective strategy.
Ultimately, managing heat stress is about providing options—shade, cool water, and breezy spots. By using these simple, time-tested methods, you can turn a dangerous heat wave into just another manageable summer day for your flock.
