California - Northern

[Lynn Manes]

I am so sorry!

The Bay area is going to go over 100 today. Time to get working on the heat measures for the chickens. Chickens have a lot of trouble with heat compared to cold so make sure they have lots of water and shade. I try to check on them and if I see any in distress, take them inside where it is cooler.

I put the shade screens up yesterday and cleaned the mist system spray heads. They were clogged with minerals.

Sorry about your losses. Hot today here at 104°. My chickens (no chicks) have never experienced these temps, and we are not prepared with frozen bottles or anything as we are pretty new to raising them. Any other fast suggestions for us? They have alot of shade and fresh water now. We do have some misters but might need those for our rabbits today as rabbits are also very heat sensitive and we have small babies out there. We usually only let the chickens free range in our small space when we are outside caring for all the other birds and animals but then they spend the majority of their time in their coop. However, the coop is right next to the rabbit pens, do do you think we should let them stay out to get benefit of the rabbit misters today or stay inside the shade of the coup? Btw, there is a large tree that provides some shade to all there too. Does anyone know about high temps with ducks, quail or geese that are also penned? Sorry this is so long.

 

[ronott1]

That might work. I worry about letting her sit for four weeks though (yes, first time with a broody).

Four weeks is fine but make sure she is not losing too much weight.

 

[HighStreetCoop]

Quote:
I've been pulling her out once a day at "snack time". She gobbles up the scratch, has a dust bath, drinks, and checks out the feeder before going back to the nest (usually stays out about 30-45min). Tonight I have to pull her out so I can clean the coop. I keep hoping one of these times she'll snap out of it, LOL!

 

[ronott1]

I've been pulling her out once a day at "snack time". She gobbles up the scratch, has a dust bath, drinks, and checks out the feeder before going back to the nest (usually stays out about 30-45min). Tonight I have to pull her out so I can clean the coop. I keep hoping one of these times she'll snap out of it, LOL!

My Pita Pinta hen that was broody is broken of it. I put her in with the Rooster--She laid an egg yesterday after being in with him for a bit over a week.

 

[HighStreetCoop]

Quote:
They just never cooperate, do they?

 

[ronott1]

They just never cooperate, do they?

No!

I had three broody hens--one of them is a good Mom. The Blue Australorp does not want to have anything to do with chicks though. I do not know about the Pita Pinta. This was her first time.

I took some pictures of the 7 week old Pita Pintas yesterday. There is also an OE cockerel in with them.

 

[HighStreetCoop]

Quote:
I love the idea of getting her some Pita Pintas, but I don't know that the dates are going to work out. I'd either have to take time off work or drive out on 4th of July weekend, which I don't think I can face.

 

[ronott1]

I love the idea of getting her some Pita Pintas, but I don't know that the dates are going to work out. I'd either have to take time off work or drive out on 4th of July weekend, which I don't think I can face.

That is a bad weekend for driving!

 

[HighStreetCoop]

Quote:
Yeah, I think I'll have to settle on something from Rivertown on the 19th or from Mike's on the 25th. My gardener (who took one of my cockerels) was talking about wanting some new hens. Maybe I'll ask him if he has any breed preferences and just get a few to raise for him.

 

[caychris]

There is always buying some TJ eggs and put them under her if they dont hatch no loss.