46C/114.8F!! Keeping them cool...

[NewAussieChook]

Hi all.

We are sweltering through a heatwave this week in South Australia. It's the coolest day this week today - currently 40.8C/104.5F here at 2pm, so will go up a few degrees celcius before the day is out. Due to hit 46/114.8F on Friday. We had a couple of days like this last year and we lost a chook (she was old).

We are in an urban area, so just have the 4 girls. I'm letting them free-range currently as their run and coop is super hot. They have dug holes under a bush and are hiding there but still puffing. They have access to chilled water, I have a mister on if they choose to sit under that (they haven't yet), I mist them down periodically too. Last year I gave them frozen corn. Is there anything else I can do for them? There is not a heap of shade in our yard, hot tin fences, etc.

We're at the hospital all day tomorrow - my eldest son has neurological issues. It's 43C/109.3F!! I'm worried.

Anything I could try that we're not doing would be so helpful.

Thanks.

 

[HuffleClaw]

Definitely keep them cool, fresh water and shade.

Could you possibly put a fan of come sort in their coop?

 

[dat bird]

Definitely keep them cool, fresh water and shade.

Could you possibly put a fan of come sort in their coop?

a fan might catch fire then you'll really have to keep them cool

 

[dat bird]

a fan might catch fire then you'll really have to keep them cool

in the rain

 

[webbysmeme]

Hi all.

We are sweltering through a heatwave this week in South Australia. It's the coolest day this week today - currently 40.8C/104.5F here at 2pm, so will go up a few degrees celcius before the day is out. Due to hit 46/114.8F on Friday. We had a couple of days like this last year and we lost a chook (she was old).

We are in an urban area, so just have the 4 girls. I'm letting them free-range currently as their run and coop is super hot. They have dug holes under a bush and are hiding there but still puffing. They have access to chilled water, I have a mister on if they choose to sit under that (they haven't yet), I mist them down periodically too. Last year I gave them frozen corn. Is there anything else I can do for them? There is not a heap of shade in our yard, hot tin fences, etc.

We're at the hospital all day tomorrow - my eldest son has neurological issues. It's 43C/109.3F!! I'm worried.

Anything I could try that we're not doing would be so helpful.

Thanks.

View attachment 1982853

Hi New Aussie Chook!
I would love to be at your place right now! It's really cold here in Illinois. We got a couple inches of snow yesterday.

In the summer when it is really hot, my girls love frozen melon, corn, ..my girls like any and everything! LOL They like it when I put ice cubes in there water. They will peck at it till it's all melted. I give my hens cold veggies from the fridge. I always have extra that I grow for them. I don't know your situation, if you have extra, they will appreciate it.
If you are letting them free range, and make sure they have access to cool, clean water, that's all you can do.

I have been stressing over how to keep my girls warm! And their water from freezing! My heated waterer was missing. I finally found it, thank goodness. I was having to go out to break the ice in their water , like, every hour or so! All is good now.

It's so funny, how you are having problems with the heat, and at the same time, I am worried about my hens freezing! It's nice to know that people across the world feel the same as we do about their chickens. It's not everyday that we get to communicate with someone that lives so far away.
All you can do is make them as comfortable as you possibly can. If you do that, they will be fine. If it is possible to put a fan in their coop, that would be great. They will love you for it.
Maybe do a little research on the breeds you have. Some are better in the heat than others, and some can withstand the extreme cold. I've only had my girls for two years this coming May. I've had to learn a lot, too much, too fast.
I always wanted to have chickens, for the eggs!
I had no idea what I was getting into! Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't take anything for my girls! But I was not prepared for all that goes along with raising chickens.
We have preditors here that we have to shoot and kill on a daily basis. Do you have that problem there?
There is a lot to having chickens, you'll learn as you go. Don't get all stressed out about it. As long as you know that you are doing all you can to keep them comfortable and safe, you're doing your job.
Good luck with your girls,
Kim

 

[aart]

Deep all day shade is best but....

I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves. It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once. Can mix up a smaller amount, just wrap the packet tight and store in a dry cool place.
Always have plain water available too.

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.
Much more useful to the chickens than frozen foods and treats.

Make space in your freezer!

 

[Acre4Me]

I second the idea of large ice blocks in a shallow pan that is in the shade. They will drink the cool water and will stand in it to cool themselves off.

 

[NewAussieChook]

Thanks all. Its hotter than expected, hit 45C yesterday, 46C today and higher than expected 47C tomorrow. They are doing ok in dirt holes they dug under their favourite bush with the sprinkler on low all day. Their dirt holes are wet, I think that's helping. They are still puffing like crazy but they are alive. I tried ice, it melted SO fast but was good while it lasted.

 

[aart]

I tried ice, it melted SO fast but was good while it lasted.

Need BIG ice chunks...placed in the shade.
Is it humid there too?
Hang in there.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Can you set up a mister fan? Evaporative cooling is very effective at high heat/low humidity, which I expect that you have. You can direct a box fan where they hang out, then put the hose sprayer onto mist, so that the fan blows the mist onto them. We aren’t as hot as you, but 105-110F (40-43 C) is not uncommon in Oklahoma, and some of our breeds aren’t very heat tolerant. When it’s that hot, I temporarily rig up a box fan outside the run, with a garden nozzle pointed so it will mist inside the run. I run the water for about 10 minutes and leave the box fan running. I also spray off the roof of the coop and surrounding areas. Ducks love the mist, but chickens won’t get directly in it. They will get downwind of the mist/fan so the air blows on them. I also put out pans with an inch of water and a frozen milk jug. If the pan and water are cool to start, that lasts several hours. Unfortunately, mine will fight over the privilege to use the water pans, but it’s quite helpful for our small group of roosters that are too far from our electricity and water hose for the fan mister to work.

There are some Phoenix, AZ members on BYC that have posted how they get their chickens through their scorching summer, and the fan misters are common there. Best of luck with your awful heat wave!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/posts/15429547