Arizona Chickens

[DesertChic]

Has anyone used a air conditioner for their coop? I was going to try fans and misters, but thought AC as a last resort. Does anyone think they work well? How do you install and use it? Thanks

I have two portable A/C units that I used in my chicken cabin last year to keep my Bielefelders from dying of heat stroke. Quick setup and take-down, but this year we're adding insulation to the attic/roof and installing an attic fan to cut down on heat buildup too. I'm hoping to forgo the A/C units this year, but my Biels were already struggling with the 95 degrees we endured a couple days ago.

 

[MagicChicken]

Has anyone used a air conditioner for their coop? I was going to try fans and misters, but thought AC as a last resort. Does anyone think they work well? How do you install and use it? Thanks

The danger of relying on AC is if the power goes out your birds are in a heap of trouble because they are not acclimated to the heat.

My birds handle the heat pretty well. They are Black Javas that have been bred in this area for several years, so they deal well with the heat and whatever diseases are endemic to the area. My coop/runs are well ventilated, with the south side being open hardware cloth (some are partially shaded with shade cloth - depends on how much other shade is available) and numerous large hardware cloth covered vent areas around the top of the remainig sides. My coop/runs are deep enough that there is some shade available all day long, all year long.

Shade is critical. Water is critical. I give my birds a large black rubber bowl of water to stand in when it is really hot. When it is hot and dry I also spray down a portion of their run each day. I stop spraying when the humidity kicks up. My birds have much more trouble with the humidity than the heat in the summer.

Everyone has their own management technique. I won't keep birds that can't handle the heat. My power goes out several times a month in the summer.

 

[FeatherPugs]

Has anyone used a air conditioner for their coop? I was going to try fans and misters, but thought AC as a last resort. Does anyone think they work well? How do you install and use it? Thanks

I don't have the funds for an AC for the birds!! Also I'm leery about keeping birds that have a problem with the 120 degree heat we can get. I too keep a coop that is very well ventilated although I do use a fan during high heat - probably makes me feel better than anything. I also have lots of shade and shade cloth and I did install a small water mister for over 100 degree days. I water down areas that are shaded and where the chickens like to hang out. I have lost birds to heat but in general they all handle the heat relatively well.

 

[DesertChic]

The danger of relying on AC is if the power goes out your birds are in a heap of trouble because they are not acclimated to the heat.

My birds handle the heat pretty well. They are Black Javas that have been bred in this area for several years, so they deal well with the heat and whatever diseases are endemic to the area. My coop/runs are well ventilated, with the south side being open hardware cloth (some are partially shaded with shade cloth - depends on how much other shade is available) and numerous large hardware cloth covered vent areas around the top of the remainig sides. My coop/runs are deep enough that there is some shade available all day long, all year long.

Shade is critical. Water is critical. I give my birds a large black rubber bowl of water to stand in when it is really hot. When it is hot and dry I also spray down a portion of their run each day. I stop spraying when the humidity kicks up. My birds have much more trouble with the humidity than the heat in the summer.

Everyone has their own management technique. I won't keep birds that can't handle the heat. My power goes out several times a month in the summer.

This is precisely why I've been crossing my Biels with more heat tolerant breeds. I really like the Biels, but I most definitely will not be pure breeding them or buying any more. They simply aren't heat tolerant

 

[FeatherPugs]

@MagicChicken I'm need to check out the Javas. I'll go look at pictures!! Well just looked at pics- they are nice looking chickens!! Do you have both the black and brown?

 

[chickluvinfreak]

I have two portable A/C units that I used in my chicken cabin last year to keep my Bielefelders from dying of heat stroke. Quick setup and take-down, but this year we're adding insulation to the attic/roof and installing an attic fan to cut down on heat buildup too. I'm hoping to forgo the A/C units this year, but my Biels were already struggling with the 95 degrees we endured a couple days ago. :/

Thanks everyone for all the ideas. I will try fans and misters first and hope I don't need an A/C. Does anyone know how often to use electrolytes when weather is over 100 degrees? I have heard 3 days on 3 days off is good. Or can they be given daily? Thanks

 

[ejcrist]

I just started a flock of White Leghorns and Barred Rocks in January, so this summer will be my first go-around with chickens here in AZ. I'm located between I-17 and Cave Creek so it's just slightly cooler than most of Phoenix due to less concrete I'm guessing. Anyway, I've read White Leghorns do well in the heat but Barred Rocks might have a little more difficulty. I have a good well-ventilated coop and run that I built, and the run has a metal roof. I'm not thinking to install misters, fans, or anything like that, but I will if my gals start getting heat stroke. I like generaldsherman's idea of brinks in a water pan that he posted about two days ago. My question - has anyone in the valley raised Barred Rocks and if so, how'd they do in the summer. Also did you take any extra measures to keep them cool?

 

[FeatherPugs]

I just started a flock of White Leghorns and Barred Rocks in January, so this summer will be my first go-around with chickens here in AZ. I'm located between I-17 and Cave Creek so it's just slightly cooler than most of Phoenix due to less concrete I'm guessing. Anyway, I've read White Leghorns do well in the heat but Barred Rocks might have a little more difficulty. I have a good well-ventilated coop and run that I built, and the run has a metal roof. I'm not thinking to install misters, fans, or anything like that, but I will if my gals start getting heat stroke. I like generaldsherman's idea of brinks in a water pan that he posted about two days ago. My question - has anyone in the valley raised Barred Rocks and if so, how'd they do in the summer. Also did you take any extra measures to keep them cool?

My Barred Rocks do just fine in the heat - we are in the Casa Grande vicinity. I got the oil drain pans at Walmart for their water. They are cheap and you don't feel bad about replacing - I usually get about 3 years out of mine. I don't use a brick but they stand in them all the time. I have quite a few - 6 right now I think - one is breaking so I'll be back to 5 but they sure do like them.

 

[ejcrist]

Hey thanks FeatherPugs - much appreciate the info! That's very good to know, and I believe the Casa Grande area is every bit as warm as Desert Hills, if not more so. If pans of water work down there I'm sure we'll be good-to-go up here too. Never thought about the Wally Mart oil pans but I'll pick a few up when we get groceries this week. Thanks again.

 

[cyborg]

Quote: Ditto. I live northwest of Tucson, and my barred rocks have never had any trouble.

P.S., the metal roof might be a problem, as they radiate heat. A good coat of white paint to reflect the sunlight helps a lot.