Baby chicks in Arizona heat?

[SGH]

Hi, I am new to the forum and have a question about getting day old baby chicks in a climate that can be hotter than 100 degrees. I've read a lot and watched informational videos, but haven't found any information on raising baby chicks in temperatures hotter than 100 degrees. All of the info I see talks about heat lamps and keeping them warm.

It was 108 degrees yesterday, with a low of 80 degrees. It is supposed to cool off next week and be in the 90's with lows of 67 degrees. My question is, can baby chicks handle 108-110 degree weather? Would I start them inside and then introduce them to the potentially hotter temperatures later? If so, what age?

Our current hens are free ranged on a couple acres and have no issues with the heat. They have raised baby chicks in the heat with no problem, but this is my first time wanting to add to the flock and purchase day old chicks. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Good question.
They are too small to regulate their body temperature at temps well above 100. You'll need them in an air cooled space.
I don't like chicks exposed to temps over 95.

 

[ninjawesome]

Hello and !

First off, great question. What breeds are your chicks? Are they known to withstand sweltering heat pretty well or are they more the cold-hardy type - or both?

Either way, they are used to indoor heat which is probably somewhere around 75 degrees, if you have an A/C that is. So yes, you are gonna want to acclimate them to the heat. I would recommend you do so like you would with the cold: slowly get them used to the change in temperature. But do this when they are a bit older. They aren't big enough to regulate their body temperature, so maybe when they are more "pullet/cockerels" than "baby chicks." Chickens are tough creatures, they can handle a lot; here a few tips...

1) Always have fresh 'n' cold (if not icy) water out for them. Always. This can be a bit of a pain, but it'll help out your chickens greatly. Also, chickens love cold snacks like a watermelon rind.

2) Put them wherever you have shade. If it's on the north side of the house, great. Under a shade tree, great. Shade, as you know, is amazing in the heat.

3) Get a fan (or 3). You can purchase small desk fans at any feed store like Tractor Supply. Get a power strip and an extension cord, and let them feel the breeze.

So yeah! Like I said, chickens are tough. If you do the aforementioned things, they should be alright

Good luck!

 

[SGH]

Thank you for the information, I don’t have new chicks yet. I have currently have 4 chickens that free range, funny thing is, I’ve never purchased a chicken, but we’ve had chickens for 15 years ha ha. We live on 2 1/2 acre horse properties where many of my neighbors own chickens. Some of them have taken up residency at my house so that’s the story.

I’m not sure what breed I have, maybe some sort of reds and an Easter Egger. I’ll post pics in another thread and see if anyone can help.

As for baby chicks, I like the exotic look, Polish, Silkies, and leaning towards some Wyandottes. Just something to add some more color beside my plain reds.

Currently in the process of building a coop.

 

[Chicgirly07]

Hello and !

First off, great question. What breeds are your chicks? Are they known to withstand sweltering heat pretty well or are they more the cold-hardy type - or both?

Either way, they are used to indoor heat which is probably somewhere around 75 degrees, if you have an A/C that is. So yes, you are gonna want to acclimate them to the heat. I would recommend you do so like you would with the cold: slowly get them used to the change in temperature. But do this when they are a bit older. They aren't big enough to regulate their body temperature, so maybe when they are more "pullet/cockerels" than "baby chicks." Chickens are tough creatures, they can handle a lot; here a few tips...

1) Always have fresh 'n' cold (if not icy) water out for them. Always. This can be a bit of a pain, but it'll help out your chickens greatly. Also, chickens love cold snacks like a watermelon rind.
I
2) Put them wherever you have shade. If it's on the north side of the house, great. Under a shade tree, great. Shade, as you know, is amazing in the heat.

3) Get a fan (or 3). You can purchase small desk fans at any feed store like Tractor Supply. Get a power strip and an extension cord, and let them feel the breeze.

So yeah! Like I said, chickens are tough. If you do the aforementioned things, they should be alright

Good luck!

I just lost one of my chickens today. She was under a year old. I'm worried about the

Hello and !

First off, great question. What breeds are your chicks? Are they known to withstand sweltering heat pretty well or are they more the cold-hardy type - or both?

Either way, they are used to indoor heat which is probably somewhere around 75 degrees, if you have an A/C that is. So yes, you are gonna want to acclimate them to the heat. I would recommend you do so like you would with the cold: slowly get them used to the change in temperature. But do this when they are a bit older. They aren't big enough to regulate their body temperature, so maybe when they are more "pullet/cockerels" than "baby chicks." Chickens are tough creatures, they can handle a lot; here a few tips...

1) Always have fresh 'n' cold (if not icy) water out for them. Always. This can be a bit of a pain, but it'll help out your chickens greatly. Also, chickens love cold snacks like a watermelon rind.

2) Put them wherever you have shade. If it's on the north side of the house, great. Under a shade tree, great. Shade, as you know, is amazing in the heat.

3) Get a fan (or 3). You can purchase small desk fans at any feed store like Tractor Supply. Get a power strip and an extension cord, and let them feel the breeze.

So yeah! Like I said, chickens are tough. If you do the aforementioned things, they should be alright

Good luck!

I just lost one of my chicken's today just under a year old. I am worried about my one month old chicks being outdoors in 105 heat. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated..

 

[Chicgirly07]

Barred rock ckicks

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Big high shade and foot baths.
If you don't have a lot of shade, use shade cloth.

 

[azurbanclucker]

Thank you for the information, I don’t have new chicks yet. I have currently have 4 chickens that free range, funny thing is, I’ve never purchased a chicken, but we’ve had chickens for 15 years ha ha. We live on 2 1/2 acre horse properties where many of my neighbors own chickens. Some of them have taken up residency at my house so that’s the story.

I’m not sure what breed I have, maybe some sort of reds and an Easter Egger. I’ll post pics in another thread and see if anyone can help.

As for baby chicks, I like the exotic look, Polish, Silkies, and leaning towards some Wyandottes. Just something to add some more color beside my plain reds.

Currently in the process of building a coop.

I've raised Polish and Wyandotte chicks in the summer in Mesa. I usually keep them inside until they are fully feathered, then transfer them to the smaller coop we have outside which is shaded and has a box fan circulating air. They will acclimate in a couple weeks and then you can release them with your other foundlings.

All things considered, for our climate the best time to get chicks is Nov-April. That way they're outside and can gradually acclimate as it warms up. Our summers are hot, but as long as you have shade, cool water, and on the worst days you toss out cold and frozen treats, your girls will be just fine. I have a lemon tree in the yard that we hung some misters in as well for a bit of extra cooling.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I've raised Polish and Wyandotte chicks in the summer in Mesa. I usually keep them inside until they are fully feathered, then transfer them to the smaller coop we have outside which is shaded and has a box fan circulating air. They will acclimate in a couple weeks and then you can release them with your other foundlings.

All things considered, for our climate the best time to get chicks is Nov-April. That way they're outside and can gradually acclimate as it warms up. Our summers are hot, but as long as you have shade, cool water, and on the worst days you toss out cold and frozen treats, your girls will be just fine. I have a lemon tree in the yard that we hung some misters in as well for a bit of extra cooling.

Good points.
Another thing that is critical is to choose breeds adaptable to hot climates. Mediterranean class and a few others come to mind. Chanteclers and Orloffs are a no no. American class are iffy since they were developed in the Northeast.

 

[bhaugh]

I live in Vegas and had several breeds. I have a mister in the summer for the birds but I recommend staying away from breeds with little to no combs like true Ameraucanas. Love this breed but chickens dispel heat through their combs and when you have almost none, it's hard on them. I went to ducks for this reason. I don't mind the mister which I did this year but now I have a mosquito problem I can't seem to tame