Chickens dealing with heat

[vi chickens]

My layers are suffering with our heat and drought conditions here in the Virgin Islands. On top of that they are molting and my egg production is down from 100/day to 50/day for two and a half months. I have about 200 chickens. I am a farmer and this shortage is causing big problems for me and my vendors/customers. I have started giving them fresh seaweed and I wonder if this is a good move at this time? Need eggs and help for a solution.

 

[GitaBooks]

Welcome to BYC!

What age are your layers? After their first molt they tend to lower in production. I'm a hobby farm, I keep chickens mainly for pets so I don't mind. However, even though I have around 60 chickens, at least 20 of which are adult hens, I'm only getting 6-8 eggs a day. Some hens are laying shelless eggs, some are egg eaters, we've had predator problems (them eating the eggs), some are old, others are too young, some are mommas at the time. And they are getting ready to molt too. Hopefully they pick up again soon, we are actually buying eggs from the store!

I hope your's start laying again soon. Best of luck!

 

[N F C]

Welcome to BYC!

There's an article from the banner screen on the Home page that may give you some ideas of ways to relieve the heat:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1013326/keep-your-flock-cool-calm-and-comfortable

My little flock of 12 has slowed down with this hot, humid Florida summer (from about 10 eggs p/day to 6 or 7 eggs p/day). Our run has a lot of shade (it is covered plus there are a lot of trees around one side) so one thing I do is keep them in their run during the hottest part of the day. They'd rather be out in the garden but I only let them out early in the morning and later in the afternoon. I also like to spray their run floor down a couple times a day to give them something cooler to walk on.

I don't know how many of these ideas you can use with such a large flock but maybe you can get something out of this to try. I hope your heat (and ours) gives us all a break soon.

Thanks for joining us!

 

[Shiza]

I use rubber water bowls. I've noticed when it's really hot the girls will stand in the water. Only their feet are wet.
It does take a lot of cleaning but seems to cool them down.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

Yes, cool heat = cool chicken. You can also put out shallow pans of water for them to stand in. Water should be replaced frequently so it is somewhat cool at the start and not fouled with debris. You can also crate more shade, if there isn't much. Drape a tarp over the top of the run to keep sun out.

 

[City farm]

My layers are suffering with our heat and drought conditions here in the Virgin Islands. On top of that they are molting and my egg production is down from 100/day to 50/day for two and a half months. I have about 200 chickens. I am a farmer and this shortage is causing big problems for me and my vendors/customers. I have started giving them fresh seaweed and I wonder if this is a good move at this time? Need eggs and help for a solution.

Oh, you would think chickens would have NO STRESS.. But NA they do.. Heat, starting to lay, a new commer, someone pecked me!! Eekkk.. Really.. :cd
Well, who knows what else.. Fermented feed has water to help hydrate, plus 30% more nutrition .. There is a thread just on F.F. Look it up and post up some of your flock on the 2016 BYC calendar . Here is the link.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1015019/byc-2016-other-poultry-types-calendar-pics-needed

Plus, with that many chicken's hope they get sun & bug's.. Your egg's will be full of goodness.. What breed do you have?