100 degrees this weekend. How do I protect my chickens from this heat?

[dbmkay]

I live in Southern California and just bought four chickens. It's going to be in the 100's this weekend, as high as 106. How do I protect my chickens from dying? I have a pond that doesn't work, but I can run a hose to it and run water down the rocks into the pool portion of it. Do you think that would keep them cool? It isn't always shaded though and I would have to pretty much run the water all day. Any other ideas would be very much appreciated!

 

[boogiedog]

Make sure they have shade, and lots of water available. You may want to put ice cubes in their water in the morning. I offer "cool" foods like watermelon, frozen peas, etc at intervals during the day. If you can do it safely, some people put fans out for the birds to get near.

 

[lovemelovemybirds]

Yep!! Agreed...water. We keep a couple round horse feeders..ya know..the rubber flex ones? filled with water...they stand in them on hot days.