Chickens can’t sweat. They rely on panting and spreading their wings to release body heat, which makes them especially vulnerable during the muggy summers typical of eastern Pennsylvania. If you're raising hens in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, or anywhere in between, you need a solid plan for summer chicken care.

Here’s how to help your hens survive and thrive when the thermometer spikes.

Why Heat and Humidity Are So Dangerous for Chickens

High temperatures alone can be rough on chickens, but in the Lehigh Valley, it’s not just the heat—it’s the humidity. When moisture fills the air, chickens have a harder time releasing heat through panting. This can lead to heat stress, which may result in:

• Lethargy and listlessness

• Pale or discolored combs and wattles

• Loss of appetite

• Drop in egg production

• Panting with wings spread

• Sudden death in severe cases

Heatstroke in chickens is real, and it can happen fast.

Choose Heat-Tolerant Chicken Breeds

While this isn’t a quick fix, long-term flock planning in the Lehigh Valley should include heat-hardy breeds. Birds with large combs (which help dissipate heat), slimmer builds, and lighter feathering do best.

Good choices for hot, humid climates include:

• Leghorns

• Andalusians

• Anconas

• Easter Eggers

• Rhode Island Reds (decent tolerance if shade and water are ample)

Heavier, heavily-feathered breeds like Orpingtons or Brahmas struggle more in humid heat and need extra care.

Provide Cool, Clean, Abundant Water

Your hens’ first line of defense against summer heat is clean water—lots of it. During a Lehigh Valley heatwave, they may drink twice or three times their normal intake.

• Refill waterers at least twice daily

• Add ice cubes or frozen bottles to keep water cool

• Keep waterers in the shade, not in the coop

• Consider adding a second or third water station during peak heat

Electrolyte powders added to water a few times per week can help birds rehydrate and recover, especially after extremely hot days.

Maximize Ventilation in the Coop

During summer, a tightly sealed coop turns into a death trap. Instead, maximize airflow by:

• Opening all windows and vents

• Replacing solid panels with hardware cloth (½-inch is best to keep predators out)

• Installing a solar-powered fan or battery fan to circulate air

• Leaving coop doors open during the day if your run is predator-proof

In the humid Lehigh Valley, stale, damp air is a recipe for respiratory problems. Proper ventilation keeps birds cooler and healthier.

Offer Shade—And Lots of It

Backyard chickens need ample shade during hot afternoons. If your run doesn’t have natural shade from trees or shrubs, provide artificial cover:

• Stretch tarp or shade cloth across part of the run

• Prop up old patio umbrellas

• Build a simple lean-to using plywood

• Use garden structures like trellises with climbing plants

The goal is to give chickens multiple shady zones so they aren’t clustered in one hot corner.

Cool the Ground

Believe it or not, chickens like to lie down on cool dirt when they’re hot. Help them out by:

• Spraying down part of the run with a hose in the morning

• Creating shallow dust bathing areas in shady spots

• Spreading moist sand or soil in their favorite lounging areas

The damp earth helps draw heat from their bodies and encourages normal dust bathing behavior, which also controls mites.

Frozen Treats and Cooling Snacks

A fun way to cool your flock down is with frozen treats. Great options include:

• Frozen watermelon chunks

• Corn or peas frozen in ice cube trays

• Plain yogurt mixed with berries (not too much dairy)

• Ice blocks made from chopped fruit and water

Serve in shallow bowls or scatter on the ground in shaded areas to encourage movement and interest.

Avoid Midday Stressors

Try to do chores early in the morning or later in the evening. In the worst heat of the day, avoid:

• Handling chickens

• Moving or relocating birds

• Cleaning the coop

• Restricting access to food or water

If your flock is allowed to free-range, consider keeping them penned during midday hours so they don’t overexert themselves in the sun.

Watch for Signs of Heat Stress

It’s crucial to recognize heat stress early. Symptoms include:

• Heavy panting

• Lifting wings away from the body

• Staggering or collapsing

• Pale or blue combs

• Egg laying stops suddenly

If you see these signs, act fast: move the bird to a cooler area, offer cool (not icy) water, and mist her gently with water. In severe cases, bring her indoors into air conditioning for a few hours to stabilize.

When to Call the Vet

Most backyard chicken keepers don’t run to the vet for every problem—but if a hen isn’t bouncing back from heat stress within a few hours, shows signs of labored breathing, or is completely unresponsive, it’s time to call a poultry-savvy vet. High heat can cause organ damage, and quick treatment can save a bird’s life.

Final Thoughts: Stay Ahead of the Heat

Summers in the Lehigh Valley are muggy, hot, and full of sudden temperature swings. The key to keeping your hens healthy is anticipation. Get ahead of heat waves by preparing your coop, managing water and shade, and being mindful of your birds’ behavior.

A happy, heat-safe hen lays better eggs, lives longer, and spends more time dust bathing instead of panting in distress. Your flock deserves that—and your backyard eggs will thank you for it.