Chickens can swim, and some actually enjoy it. Others, not so much. That’s because a chicken is not as well equipped for swimming as a duck. But most chickens will at least wade into water to cool themselves down on a hot summer day. If the water is deep enough, a chicken might even paddle around a bit.
Can some chickens swim better than others?
When any chicken is in water long enough, eventually it will waterlog, meaning is feathers get soaked through and through. Wet feathers weigh down a chicken until it sinks, and sinking can lead to drowning.
Further, as the chicken sinks, it is likely to panic and thrash around, which accelerates waterlogging. Breeds that tend to be flighty are more likely to panic than calmer breeds.
Large, loosely feathered breeds — like Brahmas, Cochins, and Orpingtons — especially those with feathers on their feet and legs, waterlog more quickly than tightly feathered breeds and those with clean legs. Silkies, with their soft, furlike plumage, waterlog the quickest and therefore are best left out of the swim.
On the other hand, calm, friendly, curious breeds are more likely than others to enjoy being in water. And lightweight, tightly feathered breeds — like Leghorns and the game breeds — can spend more time in water before they waterlog.
Still, no chicken should be left in water unattended. And even one that enjoys swimming should be taken out of the water and dried off if it looks chilled or distressed, or starts to sink.
What is the safest way for chickens to swim.
If you want your chickens to swim safely, please follow these few simple rules:
- Always supervise, the same as you would a young child.
- Let the chicken swim for only 10 to 15 minutes, to avoid waterlogging and chilling.
- The water should be shallow, reaching just to the tops of their legs.
- The chicken should be able to readily exit the water when it wants.
- Remove and dry the bird if it appears to be exhausted or distressed.
- If the chicken is afraid of water, don’t force it to swim.
What to do if a chicken panics in water.
When a chicken panics it starts flailing around in the water. Immediately remove the wet chicken from the water, taking care not to get injured by the struggling bird.
Dry it off by patting it with an absorbent towel. Then let the chicken rest in a warm place away from wind while its feathers dry.
Can baby chicks swim?
No, chicks cannot swim. At all! Their down rapidly absorbs water, weighing them down until they drown. Even if you remove them from water before they drown, they can rapidly chill. Chicks should never be near open water until they are fully feathered.
Can chickens swim in a swimming pool?
No. A swimming pool is typically treated with a variety of chemicals that can damage a chicken’s feathers and skin. The chicken will drink the water, chemicals and all. It will poop in the water — not real sanitary for human swimmers. And when the chicken is wet and tired, it won’t be able to climb out of a deep swimming pool on its own.
Can chickens swim in a kids wading pool?
Well, they can’t exactly swim in the shallow water, but they can walk in it. Cooling their legs helps cool the whole body on a hot day. They might even sit in the water without actually swimming.
Unlike a swimming pool, a kids wading pull is usually filled with clean water from a hose, which is much safer for chickens. But be sure to provide exit access, such as blocks or a ramp at the edge that chickens can use when they want to get out of the water.
Although swimming is not high on any chicken’s priority list, some birds take to water better than others. Still, no chicken is nearly as adept at swimming as a duck.
Why are ducks better swimmers than chickens?
- Ducks have webbed feet for propulsion, a chicken’s feet lack webbing.
- Ducks therefore actually swim, chickens merely paddle their feet.
- Duck feathers repel water, chicken feathers absorb water.
- A duck’s feathers interlock to trap air for buoyancy, chicken feathers don’t.
- Ducks have a system of internal air sacs for buoyancy that chickens lack.
- A duck can dip under water, a chicken under water may inhale water or even drown.
- A frightened duck can spring into flight from water, a chicken panics and flails.
So, can chickens swim?
Yes, chickens can swim. Sort of. But not like a duck.
A better question than can chickens swim? Is should chickens swim? The answer is: Only if they want to. Only for a short time. And only under supervision.
FAQs
Do chickens need to swim to stay cool in summer?
No, chickens do not need to swim to cool down. Wading in water, on the other hand, can help a chicken stay cool on a hot day.
How deep should water be for a chicken to swim in?
The water should be shallow enough to reach no higher than the tops of the chicken’s legs. A chicken attempting to float, but waterlogs, can thus stand up in the water if it starts to sink.
How long should a chicken be allowed to swim?
A chicken should never swim unsupervised and should be removed from the water after 10 to 15 minutes, or any time it starts to sink or appears to panic.
Have you ever see a chicken swim?
Most chicken keepers have never seen a chicken swim except in pictures. Many chickens are, in fact, afraid of open water, and rightly so. They are not built for swimming.
Helpful Links
How Chickens Keep Themselves Cool in Summer
7 Ways Help Your Chickens Stay Cool in Summer
16 Chicken Breeds that Tolerate Warm Weather
5 Bantam Breeds that Tolerate Warm Weather
And that’s today’s news from the Cackle Coop.
Gail Damerow has raised chickens and various other poultry for more than 5 decades and has written several books about them, most of which are available from the Cackle Bookstore.
