Arizona Chickens

[In2Ice]

I too use misters. I bought the orbit kit at Home depot for 15 bucks. It came with everything you needed for 12 feet of mist. I just added the extension kit on it for another 10 bucks. That gives you another 5 heads. I just have it around my 6' x 14' chain link run. I turn it on around noon and off at around 6:00pm. I only use it on the really hot days like yesterday, today and tomorrow. I also put a block of ice in their coop for them to stand on and sit around. They really like the ice block and it lasts all day.

 

[MagicChicken]

We did the same thing, including blocking the mister heads! We also found a programmable timer for the hose. The ones that HD sells are limited in how long they will run (ie would only run 90 min/2 hours max, and wouldn't repeat until 24 hours later). We had to order one online from europe

that just has a normal timer that will turn it on at a certain time, and off at a certain time.....why HD can't sell one with those simple settings is beyond me!

We also have a cheapo oscillating fan also on a timer that stands behind the hose mister and blows the mist around...all of this is under shade cloth which really helps!

I just got a timer at Home Depot that says it can be programmed for up to four start times per day in weekly mode, or intervals from once every three hours to once every 30 days in cyclical mode. Haven't hooked it up yet. I was going to set it to run a mister several times during the hottest part of the day, but not continuously. We'll see if it works. It's a DIG model 7001. Runs on a 9 volt battery, and can hook up to either hose or pipe. Adapters are included. Looks like I have to go shopping before I can test it. Forgot to pick up a battery. Ooops!

Wish I could free range every day, but there are too many loose dogs in my neighborhood. I let the chickens out of the run when I'm around to watch them. Too dangerous here to let them out without supervision. They've been doing fine up to 105 degrees. Today it's predicted to hit 107 (which means 110 at my place). Hence the mister.

 

[rufus]

I don't have misters, but I do have the sprinklers set up to go off twice a day. The system leaks a little so that they always have fresh cool water. I am not worried about wet soil. I have some real big Aleppo Pines that I have to keep well watered. My hens spend most of the day in the damp soil under the citrus trees.

There is always a shady, damp place for them in the yard.

Rufus

 

[Mikey D]

So my usual is to take a plate of sliced whatever and hand feed the cluckers.

I've got a chair on the side yard and put it in the shade and scream "Where's my Cluckers?"


...and we have a grand 'ol time.

Everyone is down right respectful of where the treats end and the fingers begin...

... except these Barred Rock roos...

I'm really looking forward to eating them!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Well Good News! BlueBell was eager to see me this morning! Giving her love churps to me and wanting to come out of the pen. Her crop is still empty but she is eating this and that all over the yard! Gave her some goat grain. She loves that! What ever was making her sick has past for now.

I for one can't afford a mister system but do hose down the coop yards and lightly spray the birds.I really showered Bluebell and I think that help her get through her sickness. May have been just heat and getting old. All the other chickens and turklets are doing very well and growing like weeds.

Congrats on Bluebell!

You can get very inexpensive misters for about $12 (a 1/4" line with 5 or 6 mist heads) or even less for a mister stand with one or two mist heads. Both of these hook directly to a hose or hose bib, and IMO work as well as more expensive ones. Now for the really super duper fogger systems with the 1000psi pump, no, they do not work that well, but ...

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
We did the same thing, including blocking the mister heads! We also found a programmable timer for the hose. The ones that HD sells are limited in how long they will run (ie would only run 90 min/2 hours max, and wouldn't repeat until 24 hours later). We had to order one online from europe

that just has a normal timer that will turn it on at a certain time, and off at a certain time.....why HD can't sell one with those simple settings is beyond me!

We also have a cheapo oscillating fan also on a timer that stands behind the hose mister and blows the mist around...all of this is under shade cloth which really helps!
I've had some of the cheapo hose timers, and am not a fan--too many time when the water pressure has exploded the timer. Someone find me one that is well-made (not all plastic) and sturdy, and I would LOVE to get timers for the misters.

 

[pimachickens]

I have a mini rex red does to trade for Silkie Ps my neighbor is a rabbit breeder if you dont find what you need

What do you and your neighbor do for the rabbits in this heat? I feel so bad for mine. I give them frozen water bottles to sit on, but they are still sooooo hot. I have misters for my chickens, but have been afraid of using one for the rabbits because I know they shouldn't really be damp like that. This is my first summer with them, and I feel like there should be something else I could do to make them more comfortable.

 

[hemet dennis]

What do you and your neighbor do for the rabbits in this heat? I feel so bad for mine. I give them frozen water bottles to sit on, but they are still sooooo hot. I have misters for my chickens, but have been afraid of using one for the rabbits because I know they shouldn't really be damp like that. This is my first summer with them, and I feel like there should be something else I could do to make them more comfortable.

I used to use misters when I had rabbits. I put them on the eve of the open side of the rabbit lean to it will cool the air around them.

 

[JohnSWA]

I've just introduced two beautiful birds to my 4 bird flock. Now I have 6 hens and 3 with a major attitude! My two new ladies are 6 month old golden sexlinks and Rhode Island Red. They are so docile and friendly, but we have a pecking order issue to deal with! Hopefully this get's over soon as I want them all to get along and be friends! I love my ladies!

 

[Novaleigh]

So glad to hear of Bluebells status!!!

JohnSWA, Your girls should settle down as soon as a pecking order is established. =)

Now I am sure this was posted before, how could it not have been? It is hilarious! I am TOTALLY GUILTY of many of them! Anyone else?
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/06/you-might-be-chicken-addict-if.html


Also, my 13 week old fawn runner (Dobby) and 13 week old magpie (Cupcake) ducks decided they want to be parents last night. I hope this means eggs soon! =) Here is a pic of my wonderful daughter and our fawn runner, Dobby!