106 degrees today!

[mopalia]

I've got the misters up, ice blocks for the water in the freezer, and I'm wondering - is damp ground cooler than dry ground? The chicks (2 Big fluffy silver Wyandottes) hang out under a densely shaded copse of oleander and yucca. I could turn on the sprinkler to get it damp, but I'm worried that the humidity would be bad. It's 89 degrees now at 11:30 AM - it's going to be a tough day. Any advice?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Ventilation, shade. If they can dig into the ground in a shady spot, that will help a lot - even an inch down, the ground is much cooler than the surface, and its a big heat sink!

Water works one of two ways. First, the water from your hose, whatever, is likely cooler than the air (and is much better at thermal transfer than the air or the ground). Second, it works by evaporation, cooling things further. But warm water on hot ground just transfers heat - not its hot water, useless to the birds.

So yes, used appropriately, water can help.

Many chicken keepers in hot climates float ice in the birds waterers, offer frozen treats, and electrolyte support. and of course, choose birds well suited to the climate.

if your birds are digging into the ground under the dense shade plants, they should be fine - expect open beaks and a bit of panting, but nothing medically worrisome, I would not expect

 

[mopalia]

Thank you, that makes sense. I have no idea what they are doing under the oleanders, but since the rest of the yard has been turned into Craters of the Moon, I imagine they have dug down. I completely forgot the electrolytes. Lots of ice available which I will change every couple of hours. The misters are great, but not for use until later when (if) they come out from under the shrubbery. Last year in the heat they stopped sleeping in the coop, not they roost on the roof of it, so at least I don't have to worry about an overly warm coop.
Wyandottes were certainly the wrong breed for this climate - but it wasn't this hot even 4 years ago.

 

[aart]

Curious, what's the ambient humidity?

Definitely give a dose of EL, always with plain water available, every 4-7 days.
Here's some small batch recipes:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-extreme-weather-spiel.75893/

 

[mopalia]

Curious, what's the ambient humidity?

Definitely give a dose of EL, always with plain water available, every 4-7 days.
Here's some small batch recipes:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-extreme-weather-spiel.75893/

I don't know about the humidity, but it's basically dry as a bone. (Sacramento). They went through the heat without any problems - I never even saw panting. They stayed under the oleanders all day, and when the temps topped 100 I turned on the misters around the coop, which always helps. Ice blocks in the water. I have to get electrolytes before he next heat wave - today is going to be a mere 98 degrees, whick I know they handle easily. Thanks for the link!

 

[aart]

I don't know about the humidity, but it's basically dry as a bone.

That can help for sure.
Me, and the birds, suffer more from the heat when the humidity is up.
We don't get in the 100's, but 90° and 90% feels horrible.

 

[3KillerBs]

We don't get in the 100's, but 90° and 90% feels horrible.

95-95 is my normal summer weather. Without AC this place would be almost intolerable.

 

[aart]

95-95 is my normal summer weather. Without AC this place would be almost intolerable.

Yep, why I told my daughter I wouldn't move down there.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

95-95 is my normal summer weather. Without AC this place would be almost intolerable.

Agreed and it seems to be getting worse each year and starting earlier. Spring and Fall weather Temps last about 2 weeks

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I miss low humidity. Only 91 here right now - but raining. Not much, just enough you can see it falling from the sky and leaving pinpricks in the sand. But working in it is like exercising in a hot shower. I can't breathe.

Rain will probably drop the temp to 87 or 88. Which will be an improvement, but not enough.