Heat and chickens - how to manage?

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wherry

wherry

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I live in New England. Tomorrow is supposed to be very hot - high 90's with heat index in the low 100's due to humidity etc. I just moved my chicks into their new coop today and I am concerned about the heat tomorrow. I'll keep an eye on them and make sure they have plenty of water and ventilation but was wondering if there is anything else I should do? The chicks are almost 7 weeks old and have been in our basement until today. Thanks!
 
I just put our girls in their new coop also today..It was 95 here in Michigan and again tomorrow. Mine are twelve weeks but I have plenty of water to drink and put their little feet in. I also 'mist' them with the hose while in the run or free ranging. I've heard a mister is a good thing to use on hot hot days such as these. The girls seem to like it :)
 
Even though you just put them in their coop, are they used to spending the day outside? If they aren't used to being out all day I'd only do a short time in the morning hours and then bring them back in to the basement. If they have been spending their days outdoors though I have some advice to help them with the high heat.

Make sure there is plenty of shade for them and loose dirt for them to dig a cool spot in. Normally, I wet the ground for them when it is super hot, but I skip it when it is that humid because the extra dampness makes it hard to breath. If you have any empty 2 liter bottles, milk jugs or even regular sized water bottles, fill them with water and freeze them tonight. Tomorrow in the heat of the day you can set those around the run for them to lay against to cool off. I place the frozen 16 or 20 oz bottles inside the waters so they have nice cool water all day. Set up a box fan so that they can lay in the path of the breeze if they'd like. Provide cold treats- watermelon is a favorite. You can also add the animal electrolytes from the feed store to their water if you have any handy.
 
TexasLea said:
Even though you just put them in their coop, are they used to spending the day outside? If they aren't used to being out all day I'd only do a short time in the morning hours and then bring them back in to the basement. If they have been spending their days outdoors though I have some advice to help them with the high heat.

Make sure there is plenty of shade for them and loose dirt for them to dig a cool spot in. Normally, I wet the ground for them when it is super hot, but I skip it when it is that humid because the extra dampness makes it hard to breath. If you have any empty 2 liter bottles, milk jugs or even regular sized water bottles, fill them with water and freeze them tonight. Tomorrow in the heat of the day you can set those around the run for them to lay against to cool off. I place the frozen 16 or 20 oz bottles inside the waters so they have nice cool water all day. Set up a box fan so that they can lay in the path of the breeze if they'd like. Provide cold treats- watermelon is a favorite. You can also add the animal electrolytes from the feed store to their water if you have any handy.
Click to expand...
If not already available, make certain shady areas bird use also have a little breeze. My free-range birds go to considerable length to find exposed soil in shade that is also subjected to a breeze.
 
on particularly brutal days i'm finding the mister works well. they all lay around in the mist area(in the shade) until the sun gets low.
i would be careful subjecting them to heat/humidity after living in the climate controlled basement. the shock may be more than they can cope with all at once.
 
They have been outside but the weather / temperature has been close to the basement temp not what it is going to be tomorrow and the next day. Will try the frozen water bottles. The coop will be shaded in the afternoon during the hottest part of the day - gets sun in the am. Thanks!
 
I haved found that they like to play with a pile of ice cubes or some frozen fruit/vegetables. I'm in Maryland and we are going for 100 plus tomorrow.
 
I've been a chicken momma for not quite 3 days so have been stalking this board like crazy to figure out what to do. My gals are older - just started laying - and are in a chicken tractor. Yesterday it was mid 90's, today it's supposed to almost hit 100. Here's what I did yesterday - any additional idea's most appreciated!

Tractor is parked mostly in the shade. Tarp over part of run that is getting sun so that entire tractor and run is shaded.
Cracked open and secured door to nesting boxes to encourage air flow.
Positioned large fan in front of the run. It's blowing air right into and through the tractor.
Have frozen assorted size bottles - large soda, juice, water, half-gallon milk - and put them in the tractor. Take them out when thawed and rotate bottles. You can tell it helps when you stick your hand in there.
Have added extra sources of water including an additional waterer.
Put a large pan of water in run for them to walk through.
Froze cantelope, honeydew, and beans as treats.
Feeding them mostly in the cool of the morning and laying off the feed in the heat of the day.
Spritzes of water in front of the fan - makes a misting effect into the run - during the worst of the heat. The gals don't seem to care for getting wet but they'll just have to get used to it!

I've been watching for panting or any other different behavior that would indicate heat distress but didn't see any yesterday. Fingers crossed that we manage as well today.

I AM SO THANKFUL for this community of wonderful contributing members that have taken the time to write down how to handle this - and other - situations!
 
I am heading out to get the fan ready for today. I have frozen bottles and will put out a pan for them to walk thru. Hopefully they will be more comfy today then yesterday. I also misted them with a spray bottle off and on. All the tips people have posted are greatly appreciated! Stay cool peeps!
~Gigi
 

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