Chicks Getting To Hot

[screager312]

I live in S. Texas where it is already hot. Today's high will be 100 and the lows are mid 70's. My chicks are 2 weeks old today, I have a total of 8. I have had them 10 days and they have been outside since day 1. I have them 100% enclosed away from wind, rain (like it rains here lol) during the night with a heat source. Now, in the morning I take the door down and they play in their run until dark. They have water 24/7 and the run is covered so they are never in direct sun.

My question is, what can I do (besides bringing them in) to make sure they don't get to hot? I have read something about frozen water bottle?

At 1st I was worried about them being to cold now I am worried about them being to hot. lol

 

[ethingtonart]

If you have electricity out there a fan can help. I have also heard of people using misters on very hot days. Something like this maybe... http://www.amazon.com/Orbit-10057W-...T9MM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1303829661&sr=8-2

 

[screager312]

I have seen those before used at parties.

So far they don't seem to be getting to hot but if they do I need to have a plan in place. I do have electricity ran for the heat source so I can use a fan if needed.

 

[ethingtonart]

Sounds like there are in good hands.

What kind are they?

 

[screager312]

I bought 6 from TSC 2 Saturdays ago, I am pretty sure 2 are Cornish meaties. I really don't want meat birds but will see what happens when the time comes. Last Saturday I bought a Barred Rock pullet and a RIR pullet from another feed store. It was funny when I put them in with the others, they had a standoff for a few seconds then when the barred rock would pick something up they would take it away lol. I will upload a couple recent pics under this post.

 

[Judy]

Mine have also been outside since day 1 and are around 2 weeks. The coop is breezy and they have a large pen so plenty of breeze. I had the heat lamp, hung high, on a timer for nights for a while, but have turned it off now. Soon I'll turn the box fan in there on, for the summer. Between shade and breeze I've not lost chickens to heat.

Of course their water needs to be in shade and breeze, too, so it doesn't get too hot.

 

[screager312]

The standoff

Oreo

 

[screager312]

For me the water is the hardest to keep clean. I have it in a crate but thinking I need a brick under it to keep out the pine shavings as you can see in a pic above.

 

[ethingtonart]

I love "The Stand Off". LOL. It sounds like a movie.

Yeah, when mine get big enough I put a brick under my waterer too. It helps most of the time, but they still always manage to get bedding in it. I guess that's why people like using the bottles with the nipples to drink out of. I have one, but I have never tried to use it. Go figure.