115 degrees

[misshell]

I’ve never in my life experienced this high of heat where I live. I am really worried about my girls. I don’t know what to do. They will be given bags of ice, shade, fresh water and watermelon treats, but still. 115 is ridiculous. That’s what they say it will be tomorrow. Do chickens like being in water? My son has a little swimming pool. Maybe I can fill that up for them. I’m sure there are people here who’ve experienced this in warmer climates, like Arizona. What do you guys do to keep your chickens cool?

 

[RubelliteRose]

We didn't have actual temperatures that high this summer, but we did have 115 heat index. My chickens did not go near the ice blocks I placed in the run, but they did appreciate the fan I set up. I also changed their water several times during the day to keep it cool.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

Wow! That's just horrible!

If you have a shallow plastic container you can put water in it for them to walk in to cool their feet, something like a large pot dish used for catching water that drains out of plant pots. Sounds like what you are already doing is good. I hope the heat breaks for you soon!

 

[misshell]

We didn't have actual temperatures that high this summer, but we did have 115 heat index. My chickens did not go near the ice blocks I placed in the run, but they did appreciate the fan I set up. I also changed their water several times during the day to keep it cool.

The fan is a good idea!

 

[misshell]

Wow! That's just horrible!

If you have a shallow plastic container you can put water in it for them to walk in to cool their feet, something like a large pot dish used for catching water that drains out of plant pots. Sounds like what you are already doing is good. I hope the heat breaks for you soon!

I will try that! It’s been hot lately, and they like laying on top of the bags of ice I put out for them. They may like a shallow dish of water better.

 

[thepick4uchicks]

I’ve never in my life experienced this high of heat where I live. I am really worried about my girls. I don’t know what to do. They will be given bags of ice, shade and fresh water and watermelon treats, but still. 115 is ridiculous. That’s what they say it will be tomorrow. Do chickens like being in water? My son has a little swimming pool. Maybe I can fill that up for them. I’m sure there are people here who’ve experienced this in warmer climates, like Arizona. What do you guys do to keep your chickens cool?

I know what you are going through. Totally. I live in MS and we have been struggling all summer long to keep our chickens cool. It has been absolutely awful. I have to keep bottled water frozen all the time to put in their water in order to keep it cold enough for them. I have to check on them constantly to make sure they are all alive. One of mine quit eating due to the heat for several days. She finally started eating grass and some bugs first and today finally some feed. I was so relieved. We had temps less than 95. Praise God. First day heat index lower than 100 degrees at 2:00 pm. Our daily heat indices have been averaging 106 to 110 through July and August. My chickens are not breeds that can stand heat this high. They can tolerate hotter areas but not heat this bad. Next summer I will be ready ahead of time with a poultry fan for their coop and run if that’s what it takes. Sounds crazy maybe but I don’t care. I love my girls. I do this for mine. Get a big casserole stainless steel pan about two inches deep and put ice and water in it. Then put frozen veggies like sweet peas or whole kernel corn or fruit and let them go bobbing for the treat. Mine love it. I even put the Save a chick electrolyte powder in there instead of just water and that makes it even better so they get more fluids in and more electrolytes in all at the same time. I do this close to late afternoon time that way they won’t go to bed so hot and drained into a hot coop and it helps in keeping them from suffering so much in the coop when it is so hot. I also spray mine with a sprinkler. They didn’t like it at first but they understood I think why I was doing it. Then they learned to like it. Now they stand out in the rain to cool off. Funny. I will pour some water in some shady areas of their run in the mornings so they can have a cool spot to dig a softer spot to lay around in the cooler mud for their upside down naps after breakfast too. I never knew chickens would sleep upside down. Hilarious.

 

[ronott1]

I’ve never in my life experienced this high of heat where I live. I am really worried about my girls. I don’t know what to do. They will be given bags of ice, shade, fresh water and watermelon treats, but still. 115 is ridiculous. That’s what they say it will be tomorrow. Do chickens like being in water? My son has a little swimming pool. Maybe I can fill that up for them. I’m sure there are people here who’ve experienced this in warmer climates, like Arizona. What do you guys do to keep your chickens cool?

Go to a walmart or home depot type of a store and get an orbit hose end misting head for them.

 

[misshell]

Go to a walmart or home depot type of a store and get an orbit hose end misting head for them.
View attachment 2322205

I actually have a misting hose. They stay away from it, but maybe tomorrow they will show more interest.

 

[misshell]

I know what you are going through. Totally. I live in MS and we have been struggling all summer long to keep our chickens cool. It has been absolutely awful. I have to keep bottled water frozen all the time to put in their water in order to keep it cold enough for them. I have to check on them constantly to make sure they are all alive. One of mine quit eating due to the heat for several days. She finally started eating grass and some bugs first and today finally some feed. I was so relieved. We had temps less than 95. Praise God. First day heat index lower than 100 degrees at 2:00 pm. Our daily heat indices have been averaging 106 to 110 through July and August. My chickens are not breeds that can stand heat this high. They can tolerate hotter areas but not heat this bad. Next summer I will be ready ahead of time with a poultry fan for their coop and run if that’s what it takes. Sounds crazy maybe but I don’t care. I love my girls. I do this for mine. Get a big casserole stainless steel pan about two inches deep and put ice and water in it. Then put frozen veggies like sweet peas or whole kernel corn or fruit and let them go bobbing for the treat. Mine love it. I even put the Save a chick electrolyte powder in there instead of just water and that makes it even better so they get more fluids in and more electrolytes in all at the same time. I do this close to late afternoon time that way they won’t go to bed so hot and drained into a hot coop and it helps in keeping them from suffering so much in the coop when it is so hot. I also spray mine with a sprinkler. They didn’t like it at first but they understood I think why I was doing it. Then they learned to like it. Now they stand out in the rain to cool off. Funny. I will pour some water in some shady areas of their run in the mornings so they can have a cool spot to dig a softer spot to lay around in the cooler mud for their upside down naps after breakfast too. I never knew chickens would sleep upside down. Hilarious.

That’s really cute! Great ideas too.

 

[thepick4uchicks]

That’s really cute! Great ideas too.

Well thank you. I hope they can help you.