Austin, Texas HEAT questions and also sources

[loribev]

Hello-

We have 5 2 month old chicks -2 americanas, 2 Polish, and one SILKIE. I know the silke is heat sensitive , the others seem to be suffering in the heat as well (beak breathing heavily, runny stools). What is the protocol when it gets this hot? Don't laugh-I have been bringing them in during the day, into a cage. Not optimal, but they are alive.. Any suggestions? Is there a Chicken Coach in austin Texas?

I do not want to lose any of these girls. Silkie was a gift.

This close to giving them Gatorade.

 

[fowltemptress]

I freeze large soda bottles and put them in the coop everyday, and I freeze small water bottles to put in their waterers. I change their water twice a day to ensure it stays as refreshing as possible. I also make sure to keep a large mud puddle nice and muddy for them to stand in and cool off. I don't have electricity out there, or else I'd have a fan running for them. This heat is terrible . . . I can't stand it when we have August weather in June. I'm looking forward to it going back into the 90s for a couple of days this coming week.

 

[crazy hen quartet]

It's been 102-108 here for the last week. I put blocks of ice in their water, give them a large tub of water to stand in and put a $10 home depot mister in the bushes which they hang out under in the hottest part of the day. Seems to help a lot, they will actually stop panting when they are under the mister for a while.

Good luck..

 

[kuntrygirl]

I understand about the heat. I am battling this Louisiana heat as well. I posted a similar post a couple of weeks ago and several of the BYC members suggested that I freeze water bottles and place in the waterers, which I did and that is working fantastic. The water stays cool all day. They also pointed out that I should make sure that they have shaded areas to get under as well. I followed everyone's suggestions and everything is working out just fine. I have not had any problems. And keep in mind, I have 6 broilers that feel like they weigh 10lbs, so I am extra cautious in making sure that I keep them cool and hydrated. I think that if you follow everyone's suggestions (shaded areas/coops, frozen water bottles to keep the water cool, etc.), then your chickens should be ok. Another BYC'er also mentioned that chickens panting is another key to them keeping cool. I wish you and your chickens luck with his heat. Cross your fingers for cool weather when we can get it. Keep us posted on the changes that you make and let us know how it's working out.

 

[Mahonri]

It's 108 out there right now.

The chicks in the small pen seem much cooler than the big girls in the coop. I just put more cold water in their waterer and for those out in the run, they got a shower and the three out there seemed to enjoy it.

 

[maizie]

Pouring water out on the soil will give them a cool place in which to lie down. They will sit in wet soil if they are hot enough. Any breeze helps also.

 

[TexasVet]

I put together a list of 12 ways to keep your chickens cool, along with some items available through Amazon that will help you do it: http://www.countrychickens.com/country_chickens_4_007.htm.

It was 101 here today, for about the 4th day in a row, and it's supposed to be 103 tomorrow. I lost one hen today, despite keeping the run wet and using a mister. By the time I saw she was in trouble, it was too late to save her.

It's so hot that when I opened the gate to the run, nobody left! They were all hunkered down on the wet ground until an oak tree. Guess they figured that was the best place to be until it cools off some more.

Kathy, Bellville TX

 

[lovinlife]

I'm just east of Austin, and I'm feelin' ya in this heat! I put a sprinkler in the run and turn it on mid-day for about an hour. It gets the ground nice and wet and they all love the wet ground. the guineas like to stand under the sprinkler, too.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
So sorry to hear about the hen. The link that you posted has very helpful information. Thanks. Stay cool.