The weather is warming up nicely here in Mississippi.  It has made my runs a bit more of a challenge and it is making life miserable for my chickens, too.

I looked at the thermometer a couple of minutes ago and it registered at 90F. and it is only 1:45 in the afternoon.  It is going to be a warm one.  Gotta love it!

I thought about my chickens, though.  They had to be miserable in this heat.  I went out to check on them.

They were huddled inside of their tractor.  The inside of the tractor is actually shady!  At least they were being smart.

I have an aluminum roaster set out for them to walk through and to dip their comb in to help them stay cool.  I checked the water and it was too warm for that.  I came back into the house.

I filled a bucket with cold water and then emptied the ice cube trays into another bucket and went back outdoors.

Peter, the Rooster, was giving me the evil eye.  He was not sure what I was up to but he also was curious and followed me as I went about my task.

I emptied out the aluminum roaster and refilled it with the cold water from the sink.  Next, I dumped in the ice cubes.  Peter could not stand it.  He HAD to know what I was doing!  He came to investigate.

Dumb chicken was afraid of the ice cubes.  Seeing as this was his first Summer, I was not surprised.  I was surprised at the Daryl’s and Greta because last Summer they loved the ice water I made for them.  They seemed to be more afraid than Peter!

I scooped out some ice cubes and put them into their regular water containers.  That was a hit!  The ice melted fast enough that they quickly became bite size.  Mmmm!!! thought the chickens.  Treats!

They came out of the tractor and tried to eat the ice slivers.  Surprise!  Those slivers were cold!  Cool Beans!

Soon, the chickens had eaten all of the ice slivers and immediately made way for the aluminum roaster.  There was lots of ice in there.

They took a few tentative drinks and then, “Out of my way!”  Peter decided to go for a swim!

Well, really not a swim.  He stepped into the ice water.  He dipped his comb into the ice water.  He drank from the ice water.  He was a happy Rooster!

Soon, there was a shoving match from all the hens.  They wanted to stand in the ice water, too.

I left them then.  They were cooling off and having fun.   They were happy chickens.