A special case of slow-roasting

[fat marans]

Yes, I did read a few articles on chicken cooling and I know there are other cooling threads, but the floor-cleaning is, um, overdue.

I fed them some frozen mixed vegs as ice cream, but it probably isn't enough even with a giant shade tree because the air itself is hot and wet. Any tips on easily and quickly cooling them off before I handle the nasty task of cleaning up all that mess?

(I tried sprinkling the floor with a garden hose, but then I thought about all the horrific smells...)

 

[FrankHomestead]

Is This the coop or run? how much ventilation do you have? how many birds? how big is the space?

 

[fat marans]

7 birds, run (not sure exactly how big, but it is enormous), and since it is a run there is unlimited ventilation

 

[sfgwife]

Yes, I did read a few articles on chicken cooling and I know there are other cooling threads, but the floor-cleaning is, um, overdue.

I fed them some frozen mixed vegs as ice cream, but it probably isn't enough even with a giant shade tree because the air itself is hot and wet. Any tips on easily and quickly cooling them off before I handle the nasty task of cleaning up all that mess?

(I tried sprinkling the floor with a garden hose, but then I thought about all the horrific smells...)

You fed them treats in the coop coop? And not your run? We have a space in the run that i always put the treats in. Ours don't get food in the coop just water when really hot. But ours aren't in the coop closed up except night.

But. Coolin treats. Muffin tins filled with veggie and fruit scraps then topped with water... fed in a dish and add water to that dish. They will be gettin the cold water as they go bobbin for treats. Freeze any kind of watery fruits. A small kiddie pool with some water in it.. our birds will stand in it. Their dust baths help cool them as well. Some people have fans in the coop.

 

[FrankHomestead]

I'm assuming you're in the south because my weather here in Michigan is already cooling down and feeling autumn-like. I choose breeds that are cold hardy, we have long brutal winters some years. Have you chosen heat tolerant birds?

 

[fat marans]

No, not the coop. I will try to freeze an entire watermelon rind sooner or later, but I am a bit worried that they will bring chunks of the dirty floor into their cold bath.

Some of them might be heat tolerant, but not all, since they are all different.

(erp, a smelly bath is not very pleasing to imagine :|)

 

[FrankHomestead]

No, not the coop. I will try to freeze an entire watermelon rind sooner or later, but I am a bit worried that they will bring chunks of the dirty floor into their cold bath.

Some of them might be heat tolerant, but not all, since they are all different.

(erp, a smelly bath is not very pleasing to imagine :|)

My only suggestion would to be choose heat tolerant birds, otherwise you're doing everything you can.