Brooding chicks in coop Brooder in 90+F weather

[junior67]

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!

It doesn't really start cooling down until next Wed. Until then the lowest temp is Sat at 87 with a real feel of 97. The rest are 90 and real feel of 100-105. Nights are in the 70's though.

 

[junior67]

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 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 is 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.)

Ok. I am home from work the next 2 days so may move them later this afternoon and see how they are tomorrow and bring them in if I need to.

 

[Finnie]

Ok. I am home from work the next 2 days so may move them later this afternoon and see how they are tomorrow and bring them in if I need to.

I like @NatJ ’s idea of moving them in the afternoon/evening when the temps are lower. They can be more comfortable while they get used to their new digs. They can be “cool” all night, and then gradually get used to the heat the next day as the temperature rises.

Just don’t be surprised if they cry a lot at bedtime, because they will be figuring out their new sleeping spot, and crying for their old familiar one. They probably won’t cry the second night.

 

[junior67]

I like @NatJ ’s idea of moving them in the afternoon/evening when the temps are lower. They can be more comfortable while they get used to their new digs. They can be “cool” all night, and then gradually get used to the heat the next day as the temperature rises.

Just don’t be surprised if they cry a lot at bedtime, because they will be figuring out their new sleeping spot, and crying for their old familiar one. They probably won’t cry the second night.

yes I moved my 16 week olds into the coop brooder when they were about a week old. Always so sad the first couple nights.

 

[junior67]

I moved them out today. The poor things all stood in a huddle quiet as can be at first. I felt soooooo bad! Then the teens came in to look and they stood so still just watching them! The eventually explored a little bit scratching around and seemed to settle in for bed ok.