Chickens in the heat

[Chickgurl06]

I live in California, and it can get pretty hot in the summer. It can reach up to the hundreds. I was thinking about getting buff orpingtons because I heard they are good egg layers and are sturdy in cold winters. I also know they have a ton of meat and feathers on them! So, how do they hold up in the heat? I don't what to end up with fried chicken!!

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC! I raised Buff Orpingtons and Black Australorps in the northern Sacramento Valley where summer temperatures frequently reached 117-118 F (123 F once). I made sure to provide shade and plenty of fresh water for my flock. I like the Orpingtons because of their beautiful color and sweet, gentle disposition and still keep a few in my flock. They managed to survive, but did seem to suffer in the heat, unlike the Australorps, who seemed almost unfazed by it. Unless you have your heart set on Buff Orpingtons, I would recommend the Black Australorps instead. They have the same sweet, gentle temperament of the Orpingtons (not surprising since they were originally bred in Australia from Orpington stock), but they are more heat resistant (consider the temperatures in the Australian outback where many of them are raised), and they outlayed the Buff Orpingtons by a considerable margin (the Orpingtons averaged about 3 eggs per week per hen, the Australorps about 5 eggs per week per hen). Hope this helps.

 

[drumstick diva]

The best you can do for any breed is provide shade, shade and more shade - natural or manufactured. Use misting hoses - put ice in waterers. Freeze gallon bottles of water so they can sit near them and cool down. Put a fan in the coop (safely out of chicken reach) moving air feels cooler.

You can also go to "where am I, where are you," in the social forum and local and post on your state thread. I believe California has a few threads by area. Ask people from your locale what breeds have worked best for them and any heat survival tips they know.

 

[gander007]

Alright

Alright now that is a great question for this time of year as it got close to 110 F degrees today here and not good for the chickens but first you need plenty of clean cold fresh water for them and new clean water daily and more then one place as chickens are not the smartest animals alive and wont walk out into the heat at time to get a drink .....

I have picked up blankets at the seconded hand stores and put them down for the chickens to sit on and I can get them wet so as to cool them off and I also put ice in the water at noon when it gets over 120 F degrees then it is time to really watch everything they eat and corn is off the list and all feed is to be soaked to lesion dehydration, so shade water and a damp place to sit really makes all the difference ..............




Enjoy your stay with BYC

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

You might want to stop by this thread on keeping your chickens cool in the summer heat...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/788391/keeping-chickens-cool-in-summer-heat

And stop by your state thread too and chat with your chicken neighbors as to how they keep their flocks cool in your climate...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/565482/california-the-whole-state-thread

Lots of shade, hose the ground or run down with water, use fans, feed cool treats, ice in the water fonts...stuff like this.

Welcome to our flock!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! You've gotten some good advice/links above, good luck with your chicken project.