My Chicken Misting Project - Is it ok for them to be wet?

Ok - I have been reading all about using misters on the boards and some people say that in Texas with humidity they wont work. Well my girls were HOT and panting and i was starting to worry. I have a fan in the window of the coop and another one under the coop where they like to hang out. I also put frozen jugs of water under the coop in the front of the fan.....still panting. So Even though the coop and run are under trees, there was still a sprinkling of sun coming through. DH and I decided to cover the top of the run with shade cloth, the difference was pretty amazing, at least 1o degrees cooler.

Well we had to go to the Lowes (almost as dangerous as the feed store), and I saw the misting systems. We talked about it and decided why not, so we bought it. It is the plastic tubing kind and we zip tied it to the top of the run (6 ft dog kennel panels). After they got over thinking the sky was dropping killer mist on them they love it. NO PANTING TODAY and it was 99 with heat index of 103.


But my question to all you veterans out there.....
When I went out this afternoon after the misters had been on for 4 hours, they were all wet. Not soaking wet but you could see beads of water on their feathers. Is this a problem? Since it is so hot and only going to get hotter, I would think they would like to be wet but I worry they might get sick from being wet every day.

This is the one we got:
http://www.orbitonline.com/products/Kits/04/04/10/114/

Does anyone have an opinion on them being slightly wet most of the day in 100 degree heat with a fan blowing on them?

I would like to know the answer to that one too!

It sounds like you take wonderful care of your chickens. If they can get away from the mist and be dry if they chose to, I think you're fine.

Can't see where it's any different than when mine go out in the rain. Seems like when they've had enough they come in out of it. As long as they can get away from the mist, it should be fine.

I went out and got some pics this evening right before I turned off the misters for the day. I normally turn them on around noon and off between 6-7pm. All you Texas chicken keepers out there, dont be afraid to try them. So far the girls love it and I have had no panters for 2 days. If they want to get out of it they can go inside (where there is a fan in the window) or under the coop (also a fan).

Hope this helps out someone else. We shall see what it is like when the humidity picks up but I still bet it helps.

I like it! My girls hang out in the rain, even though they have an area of protection. Even here in WI (high humidity and mid-90's this week). Maybe I'll build two, one for them, one for me!

Just be really careful of Cocci....

Cocci due to the ground being wet? Never thought of that one. Well, maybe I will reserve it for really HOT days. I will also step up cleaning out the run. Any other advise on keeping the cocci at bay? Also they are still on medicated chick starter as they are only 13 weeks old, that will help with cocci correct?

Quote:
Put sand in your runs. I get mine really cheap from the concrete place/gravel pit. It's only $18.80 for 2,300lbs. It takes 6,900lbs to do all of my runs but it lasts about two years and it's sooo much cleaner, drains well, rakes easy, etc.