16 week old trying to lay first egg-coop is HOT!

[farmerinKC]

My Golden Comets will be 16 weeks old tomorrow and Fawkes has successfully laid two eggs-one yesterday and one today. This afternoon Saffron keeps going into one of the nest boxes and is trying to lay-but it is 112 degrees in the coop. I'm doing everything I can to make it cooler-but nothing is working. Should I just close the pop door so they can't go in until this evening? I don't know what to do since they have just started laying. She is so hot sitting in there. I did take her out and held her in a cool tub of water to cool her down-but I can't stay outside all day watching her-it's too hot for me!

So my question is---Should I close the coop until evening?

I want eggs-but I don't want any one of my girls to die trying to lay one.

 

[LarryPQ]

She'll get out if she is too hot. Leave the door open so they can come and go as they please.

 

[farmerinKC]

Thanks for your reply, Laree. I was worried her egg laying urge would over-ride her common sense.

 

[LarryPQ]

Nah, chickens are dumb. But if my bajillion broodies can CO-brood a nest in 117 degree weather with 40-80% humidity, your girl should be ok. (They aren't even sitting on the eggs- ro regulate the temp the eggs are half under the chickens. ALL of the eggs)

Just keep an eye on her.

 

[omilona]

My 8 girls are 17-20 weeks. Not an egg in sight. Deep sigh. The SLW 2 seem closest to laying based on their combs and the fact that they are hanging out in the nest boxes, even though they are younger than the EE/Ameraucanas. The Cuckoo marans are now bigger than their flockmates, though they are 3 weeks younger.

 

[aggie9296]

Quote:
x2.

Plus if you could get a little shade on the coop might help with the temp. Tarp, Plywood, anything to keep sun directly off the coop, especially if you have external next boxes.

 

[Bravo]

On hot days and nights I freeze gallon water jugs and place them in the coop. It really makes a difference in the temp. I also have my coop situated under a large tree so it gets lots of shade.

Hope you get your first egg from her soon!!

I am totally envious that they are only 16 weeks and laying! Mine are all free loaders LOL!

 

[SimplyMe_AngieD]

Quote:
I was about to write the same thing, but you beat me to it. This advice was given to by a lady on a couponing forum I belong to!

And I feel my chickens are free loaders too! LOL