Anyone else loosing chickens due to the heat?

[carladababe]

I've lost 2 chickens in the last couple days. I think it's got to be the hot weather we've had and continue to have. I run all kinds of reasons through my head as to what could have killed those two beautiful, seemly healthy year and a half old chickens. I'm real good about refreshing their water all day long. I let them out in the afternoon to free range, they tend to find the coolest places to hang. No one has runny noses/eyes, I don't think they were sick. The egg production has dropped but I understand that happens when it gets hot. I'm tired of this summer now, to many 95+ days with very, very little rain. I'm trying not to blame myself, because life comes and goes all too easy. My chickens are well taken care of, they have it better than alot of people. My heart is breaking, I really love my chickens.

 

[TexasChickenUnv]

Yep, lost 4 year-old hens yesterday, my best layers. It was 107 and the kids didn't water them.

We do have a fan and frozen milk jugs in the coop, but when there's no water...

They love to sit next to the milk jugs(I'm going thru 2-3 per day right now), and I've been putting ice in the waterers to keep them cool, as well as dampening some of the dirt in the coop so they have a cooler place to rest.

And I'm handling all the watering personally.

 

[carladababe]

Thanks for the reply and I'm sorry for your loss. I like the frozen milk jug idea, anything to help with this heat.

 

[Texokie1]

I've been giving mine electrolytes (the sav-a-chik powder you mix up), and I have also frozen some blackberries/apple slices that I give around the hottest part of the day. Seems to help cool them down a little. When it is SUPER hot, I'll let them free-range and hose down their favorite dusting spots with water (they get muddy, but they LOVE wallowing).

 

[CaseyLeah 87]

I live in southern Oklahoma, it was 113 degrees here yesterday and I lost all 4 of my 2 year old leghorn hens

It is heartbreaking. I now have one lonely rooster.

 

[galanie]

Yes, in the heat, Water, Water, Water. Then shade, shade, and more shade. Put out a tub of water where they hang out in the shade in addition to whatever you have now. Many love the frozen soda bottle or milk jugs. A place to wallow in mud and/or wade in a couple inches of water is a real good cooloff for them.

110 + degrees for almost two months without a break last year and I didn't lose not even one fluffy Orpington from the heat.

 

[gstuartw]

We had a stretch of 100 degree weather in July and lost 3 in a week. 2 younger ones and an older one that probably wouldn't make it through the year anyway.

 

[sheila3935]

Ive been lucky no losses, but my neighbor and a friend have each lost 1 so far. This heat is crazy. The thing is the heat accumulates. Even if we get a day of cooler weather its not enough. I ice the wateres at least once a day. If it triple didgets they get ice 2 times a day. I let them out by no later then 7 am every day so they are not stuck in the coop. I have 3 fans going in one coop and 2 in the other. I was leaving the sprinkler going in the late afternoon when the temps would get highest, but with water restrictions I have had to stop that. I have 9 waterers 1 bucket 1 pan and a shallow pan that they can walk in out full at all times. When they see the ice bag they come running. They will peck at the ice and the ducks will eat small pieces whole. I have one friend that has 2 airconditioners i her large coop for hers but I can afford that. Our air in the house went out the other day so we have to sweat it out like the animals do. I pray that September will finally come and cool things down. I have so much to do out in the chicken yard to get ready for winter, if that ever comes, but its too hot to do much. Last night we did get some rain, the first since early July. Its nicer today hope it stays that way. Good luck to everone with this heat and drought and I am very sorry for all that have lost any chickens to this unbearable heat.

 

[TexasChickenUnv]

Remarkably, we didn't lose any last summer, either.

 

[GarageChickens]

A friend lost a bird last month to the heat.

Mine seem to tough it out. They have plenty of water -- spiked with ACV -- to drink and wade in, lots of shade and they usually have a good breeze. Frozen water bottles don't last long in 100+ temps, but I try to give them cool treats in the heat of the day, like chilled watermelon rinds or even stale bread soaked in cold water. I only have five birds, so chilling table scraps is a great option for me.