CURE: beat the heat!! 2 great ideas!!

[ValerieLovesChickens]

While trying to figure out ways to keep my flock cool this year in this awful heat, I decided to search on youtube. Here are 2 great ideas that I found, you can search also, watch the videos and design a system to meet your needs and budget.

1. Misting System
2. Evaporative Air Cooler

We went with both, and got a misting system installed in their run. It was 96 degrees here yesterday and it dropped the temp down to 78 after only 30 minutes!!!! This is awesome!! You will have to play with the jets and adjust them towards the ground. You only want to run it 15 to 30 minutes at a time. Once the ground is cool and damp, your chickens will be on it with their feet, which will then keep them cool as well.

We are building an evap cooler today out of: styrofoam cooler, an old personal fan, two 2" PVC pipes and 2" PVC elbows, then add lots of ice. If you're going to run a fan anyway, you might as well make it so that it blows the coolest air possible for your chickens. We are also considering buying a small solar panel, to make this more economical to use. We live in Texas and summer has just begun. Also, this can be moved around, located just outside the run during the day, then blowing into the coop in the evening to drop the temp down before locking them up at night.

Hope these ideas help, to cool those chickens down!!

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

In the meanwhile, here is the link to the evap cooler we are making today. I have to drive into town to purchase the Pvc pipe and elbows, so we can get started.

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

I am wondering about electrolytes. I give them some because of the heat but do you change it out every day? They also have plain water.

The best advice on electrolytes is a rotation system. Two days of plain water, then electrolytes for 24 hours, then plain water 48 hours, electrolytes again. This was per our vet. There are also homemade electrolyte recipes on the internet you can make, that are a lot cheaper. Also, do not use apple cider vinegar in the summer! It is an acid, and the vet said it will further dehydrate your chickens. If you suspect worms, to chop up some fresh garlic cloves and feed that to them, during the summer months.

 

[Rooapalooza]

Where about in Texas do you live? I'm a bit west of Austin and it's really the humidity that's the killer. It just never cools down. Honestly I think me and my animals would be fine with the 100F weather if it weren't for the nighttime 85% humidity.

 

[sealer39]

Keep an eye on your cooler. Chickens love to eat styrofoam. If they start to eat it you could build a little hardware cloth box for it.

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

T

Wow! This really is going to be a tough one for you. Our temps are in the 90's with high humidity but it's not as bad as what you're going through. I'm sorry you're feeling stress, which I'm sure you are. The AC idea is a good one. I hope it works for you. It's 7:39 am here and it's already 80* ugh!!! Good Luck!

I feel for you as well, the humidity makes it feel so much hotter and makes the situation worse for sure. Good news that old clunky window unit still runs! It is now mounted in the coop and only took 35 minutes to bring the temp down from 100 to 80. They are comfy and safe now from the heat for the summer. Who knew raising chickens was going to be so hard? Oh well, they are worth it. Each has it's own personality and they are funny birds.

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

Near Bryan/College Station 90 miles east of Austin. I chimed in because I am trying to figure heat control here also.

I've been taking ice out every hour today for their water, since the heat index hit 106. Also gently spraying down the ground of the run, I closed their door to the coop after I got them all out because they were panting so hard. Moist cool ground, they stand on it and it cools them down. You can also find some sort of container, put brick(s) and water in it. They will stand on it to cool down also. We turn the window unit on 35 minutes before dark to cool the coop down to 80, then leave it set at 80 until we go to bed. We let them back into the coop after its down to 84. But 80 seems to be our magic number for this mixed flock.

 

[darkbaysfordays]

Great hints! You should post some pics!

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

Great hints! You should post some pics!

Okay I will do that as soon as we get the evap cooler put together, set up and running, with temperature results before and after. Great idea.

 

[neo71665]

Work great if you are in a low humidity area.