Can my chickens handle the heat? Coop Fan Suggestions?

[Aconne10]

I live in north Georgia. I just got 3 Buff Orpingtons a few weeks ago and I also have 1 Black Australorp. It is only mid may and the Buffs are already showing signs of over-heating. At the peak of the day they droop their wings and start panting. It is only averaging 80 degrees right now but during the summer it will consistently be above 100. I just added a roof to their run so now it will be completely shaded. They have access to plenty of water. I am looking for any suggestions on other ways to help them stay cool. Specifically I was thinking about getting a fan to place at the end of the run and give them a nice breeze. Would that help?

This is my first time ever owning Buff Orps and none of the other breeds I have ever had have done this. Thanks.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Yes, fans are a great help to them, they love them! My coops are built into the back of my open ended goat barn so the roof of my coops are just wire. I have a fan up there over each coop pointed at one end so the chickens can choose to sit in the breeze if they want to. It really helps them a lot on hot summer afternoons and evenings, they gather there to sit in the breeze and cool off. Getting their feet wet helps a lot too. Mine won't use a kiddie pool so I just make puddles for them in their run and they wade right in.

 

[Aconne10]

What kind of fan do you use? I was actually thinking of trying to find a solar powered fan so that it would just run during the day and not use any power. I am having a hard time finding one tho.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Mine are just 20" electric floor fans that sit on a triangular metal tubing base that can be attached to the wall as well if desired. Mine are just bolted to the roof frame. I don't remember the brand but I found them on Amazon. They've held up really well, the first one is on it's 5th summer now.