North Carolina - Page 1849

Took ice out at noon and gave everyone fresh water again.  The cockerels were lying in and around the water pan that they had spilled (they also have an auto waterer; the pan was just for this purpose) and I decided to spray down their pen and all the hanging cages.  I was blythly spraying water up, down, around and everywhere, when something stung me.  I thought.  Then again.  And again.  The water I was tossing around also hit the underside of the roof.  The tin roof.  It heated to scalding in an instant and fell back on me!  Ouch!  No more water on the roof!  But everyone got fresh water and ice blocks.  Nobody looked distressed, but I said that yesterday at this time, too.

And my foolish hubby decided this would be a good day to go check something downtown.  On his bike.  These temps, slow city traffic, pavement and a Harley are NOT a good combo.  Silly man.

And the sheep must be related to him, because where were they at noon? Out grazing.  The black sheep were out grazing.

Found this idea on BYH, the OP found it on the SC thread on here. Thought it may be an idea for some of y'all to try.

If you cant afford to run out and buy a bunch of high price stuff to cool your birds here's a cheap but effective option...take a shovel dig a 3 foot round hole 1 shovel head deep in the shadiest part of the coop ...line hole with plastic and break dirt up fine as you can...place dirt back in hole over plastic leaving a little plastic showing all the way around hole and soak with cool water (moist but not muddy) your birds will take a none dust bath and bury their chest in the cool moist dirt to keep cool..resoak a couple times daily if needed..the plastic will keep the water from draining out the dirt and the moist dirt will keep them cool...if you dont have a roll of plastic then cut a trash bag down 1 side and open like a butterfly...cheap but very effective ..best of luck

We lost no chickens yesterday. They have a frozen water bottle in their waterer. I have wet their run down a couple times, also gave them frozen veggies yesterday and today (okra yesterday, tomatoes today). DH tried to make a homemade mister but it wasn't working quite right. The goats have a frozen water bottle in their water bucket that is placed outside, they also have another bucket that is in the shade so that water is staying pretty cool without help.

So weather station in front yard says 103.8, chicken are laying on ice water bottles.  Little babies in laundry room are huddling in corner in unfamiliar environment.  When I changed their litter I used newspaper this time instead of paper towel and they were all huddled like they were scared when it dawned on me that they were scared of the newspaper!!  So I covered it with paper towel, they are still leery but they will go near it!

It's only108 in my main coop, don't have a thermometer in the outside coop, but it feels even hotter. So far just 1 Polish roo didn't make it, 1golden Lakenvelder is in the house cooling off by setting in his water dish.

Scott who is off to pass out more ice and such.

We are all doing ok. All of the animals are showing signs of the heat. The two legged animals are suffering right along with the winged and 4 legged animals. LOL We do not have air conditioning. DH is currently under the house trying to finish putting in the new system. Over 100 in my house. The coop is cooler. LOL Can not wait till this weather passes.

Sharon

I'm so sorry to everyone who has lost a bird to the heat.  It's terrible.  DH and I had plans to go down to my Dad's river house this weekend.  We have great help when we are away, but I just couldn't leave....I would have worried (and wouldn't have wanted to ask my friend to do all that I am doing for my birds).  Glad I stayed - it's pretty severe. 

So glad to say all my birds are ok so far.  Lots of ice, in all forms.  ACV in their water.  Fans.  Poor things.  I put ice in their waterers and it seems like it's warm in no time.  Glad I'm here to change it out.  DH thought I was crazy at first, but when he went out with me this afternoon and saw our girls panting, he's on board. 

Again, I'm so sorry to all of y'all who have lost anything to this heat.  :(
 

No losses today from heat or predators.  What a win!  The BCMs were out in the pasture when it was still over 100 today, while the lighter colors were hanging out indoors.  They must have been copying the black sheep!  But they all looked okay this evening. 

Hope those with no A/C are managing okay.  Been there, survived that, but I'd rather not do it any more and I feel for those who are.

Chickens actually looked great today! A muddy mess from the sprinkler going on and off by their coops... but they sure enjoyed the messy mud, and were feasting on all the bugs attracted because of it. Threw a couple of frozen waterbottles in the coop, but no one really bothered with them that I saw. Pulled them out and rinsed to refreeze again for tomorrow. We'll all get through this!

I collected a couple of eggs about 30 minutes ago, walked back to the house passing the garden I was visited by a copperhead... about 4ft in length. Hubby ran out with the pellet gun and got a couple of shots on it. It was hit pretty bad and then we removed the head to make sure it was done. I have a feeling if we didn't meet up there, it would have went on to my chicken coop for a little snack. Gotta do, what we gotta do!

All good here no losses had the hose misting the coop all day but my yard is pretty shady and they dug them selves some holes an were chilling in the yard

sorry for everyones losses

jon

Total Body count.... 2 - Blue Splash Ameraucanas, 1 - Adult Lionhead Rabbit, 4 - Lionhead Baby Bunnies, 4 - Angora Baby Bunnies, and 3 - Baby Meat Rabbits. Most of which died yesterday or late last night... after yesterday's ordeal.

I brought in the Momma Angora Rabbit and her last 2 baby bunnies... they are in a dog crate by the back door.

Today, I kept everybody sprayed down and kept feeding frozen fruits & veggies. I spent more time outside, than in the house... LoL ...  While DH was putting down wood flooring in the kitchen/dining room. FINALLY!

So sorry for everyone's losses... and I feel for those of you dealing with life without AC.... That has got to suck!