Brooding chicks in coop Brooder in 90+F weather

[junior67]

So I have chicks that are 2 weeks old that I need to get out to the coop brooder. It was extremely hot when they hatched then I wanted to do the brooder over so just finishing it up now. Today is going to be mid 90F but feel like 101. Tomorrow is mid 90's as well but feel like 105.... then it goes down a bit. My coop stays about the same temp as outside maybe 1* higher or lower. but is that too hot for them????? What if I put a frozen bottle next to the brooder to try to cool it down in there some? They have been in my house that ranges from 73-77 depending on how hot it is outside since my AC isn't always the best at keeping up. I use a MHP with 9 settings and it is only on 3 and they barely use it. They are outgrowing my indoor brooder so I need to get them outside but I don't want the heat hurting them.

@Finnie @rosemarythyme @RubelliteRose @Ridgerunner @jreardon1918

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Its not too hot.

Be sure they have shade available to them, and excellent ventilation. If tyhey are able to dig into the earth and spread out if they do get hot, so much the better.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I'm kinda in the same boat. 8 4 daynolds now outside and it's 90+ during the days

 

[junior67]

Its not too hot.

Be sure they have shade available to them, and excellent ventilation. If tyhey are able to dig into the earth and spread out if they do get hot, so much the better.

It is inside my coop under hte poop boards. The coop is very well ventilated and the brooder is all HWC besides the top that is the poop board but air can get in there. The window is above the brooder and chicken door is right next to the brooder. But there are only shavings no earth since it is a raised coop with a solid floor.

 

[junior67]

I'm kinda in the same boat. 8 4 daynolds now outside and it's 90+ during the days

but they are doing good outside? Do you do anything for them? I was really thinking of freezing a soda bottle and putting it outside of the brooder but next to it to maybe cool that area so they can go there?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

but they are doing good outside? Do you do anything for them? I was really thinking of freezing a soda bottle and putting it outside of the brooder but next to it to maybe cool that area so they can go there?

So far they seem fine. They technically have access to the lower run, but only 2 do so. The other six stay in the coop with Auntie.

Are they panting? That's the number one sign. I also have like 14 4 week Olds in the same pen and as long as they spread out and don't dog pile, they're usually not panting

 

[junior67]

Pics of my brooder

 

[junior67]

So far they seem fine. They technically have access to the lower run, but only 2 do so. The other six stay in the coop with Auntie.

Are they panting? That's the number one sign. I also have like 14 4 week Olds in the same pen and as long as they spread out and don't dog pile, they're usually not panting

Mine are inside still. Going to put them out today

 

[Finnie]

Pics of my brooder

Mine are inside still. Going to put them out today

I kind of think going from 77F house to 95+F in those brooders would be a tough transition. Is your forecast for those hot conditions long term, or just a day or two?

If long term, then yeah, they’re going to have to suck it up and adjust. But if you could just hold off a day or three and let them stay crammed in the conditions they are used to, then making the transition to their new unfamiliar environment will be much less stressful on them than if they have to do it in super hot weather.

Being in a strange place and having big scary chickens staring in at them is going to be stressful enough as it is. When I make my birds move house, I try not to do it on a super hot day, or a rainy day (if that applies).

Definitely watch for them holding their wings out and panting. I would actually put the ice bottle inside the brooder with them. I can’t imagine it would hurt them, and it would be more effective if they could touch it.
A fan set on low would be good too, if possible, if they are panting and you need to give them some relief.

I think the main thing would be to keep an eye on them and see how they are handling it. Good luck!

 

[NatJ]

Today is going to be mid 90F but feel like 101. Tomorrow is mid 90's as well but feel like 105.... then it goes down a bit. My coop stays about the same temp as outside maybe 1* higher or lower. but is that too hot for them?????

What are the night temperatures?

To help them adjust a little more gradually, you might put them out for the night and bring them in for the hottest few hours in the middle of the day, or put them out for a few hours in the morning but bring them in for the afternoon.

If the "feels like" is based on humidity, it may not matter as much for chickens as it does for people. We sweat, which works better in dry air. They don't sweat.

I was really thinking of freezing a soda bottle and putting it outside of the brooder but next to it to maybe cool that area so they can go there?

I agree with @Finnie: a frozen soda bottle should not do any harm, and it might help, so go ahead and try it. But put it inside the brooder, so they can get as close as they want. Just put it near one end, so they have the option to get away from it. (Same logic as a heat source: if one spot is a very different temperature than the rest of the brooder, give the chicks the option of being in that spot or away from that spot.)