First time chicks and Florida heat

[KimN]

just picked up my first ever chicks at 3 weeks old early this week. Before picking them up I was only concerned about if they would need a heat lamp or not considering Florida heat. On the day we picked them up we were still trying to get our barn style 10x16 coop ready for them so they were outside in the shade with food and water. By mid afternoon they were showing signs of being overheated. So now I was in a panic that despite the large vent fan we installed and windows that there was no way in this heat they could be in this coop, especially before we got the run set up and they were old enough to use it.
So what was I going to do now, this heat has been unreal?! What any Floridian would do, I had husband instal a window AC. Now, they are happily inside, AC going at between 77 and 79. They seem comfortable and happy right now but I am panicking again in my brain wondering if they are warm enough and how they are going to transition from the comfort of the AC to the heat when they are old enough to use the run. Wondering if there is enough ventilation with the windows closed and the vent fan off for the AC? I am worried every time we get a storm that if the electric goes out they will cook. Have I made a mistake or what should I have done instead?

As a side question: we plan on getting our run done this weekend. Can they use it for short spurts under supervision at this age or do they need to wait?

 

[Shadrach]

Chicks are fine outside at 2 or 3 days old when they have a mother to provide protection and warmth. At the temperatures you mention they will be fine outside provided you are there to supervise.

 

[feathermaid]

Chickens survive all over the world in all manner of conditions, though some are more heat (or cold) tolerant than others. Typically, Mediterranean breeds (like leghorns) and those with large combs can distribute and expel heat from their bodies more efficiently.

Just keep the windows open and vent fan running, your chicks should be fine. They need to acclimate to your weather... they'll be better off in the long run. Is it possible to add more windows to the coop to get a good cross breeze? There are many coop designs that have full hardware cloth open-air walls. The most important factor is to let moisture escape through open vents. A closed up coop, no matter what temperature, can cause respiratory problems.

I always let my chicks explore the outside grass for short periods by 1-2 weeks old and they also have full-time access to their own side of the outdoor run as well. You can also dig a small chunk of sod for them to scratch through in the coop. And offer a bin full of sand or dry dirt for dust bathing and some extra perches. Having activities to do can help keep their mind off discomfort, both inside and outside.


Some things you can do to help keep chickens cool:

• Provide plenty of shade
• Provide plenty of fresh cold water to drink, maybe with electrolytes. Chickens are less likely to drink warm water.
• Place frozen water bottles around, maybe twice a day
• Wet the ground or pavement or let them wade through a very shallow container of water to cool their feet
• hook up a fine water mister to cool the outside ambient air

You can visit your state thread to ask what others have done in your area to help keep their birds happy through hot weather:
Florida

 

[KimN]

There are two windows in the front right now with a vent at each end on the top one fairly small and the larger one at 20 inches where we installed the fan. We plan on installing two more windows in the back opposite the front ones but haven’t done it yet.

 

[alexisrambles]

Hi! Just popping in to say that don't worry about the mister IMO. I live in Louisiana, and that doesn't work as well here as up north due to the extreme (and horrible) humidity.

All the other tips, including the wading pan, work really well for me! I'm going to start doing the frozen water bottle thing. It also cools off the ground so they can lay there after. Bonus!

 

[feathermaid]

Hi! Just popping in to say that don't worry about the mister IMO. I live in Louisiana, and that doesn't work as well here as up north due to the extreme (and horrible) humidity.

All the other tips, including the wading pan, work really well for me! I'm going to start doing the frozen water bottle thing. It also cools off the ground so they can lay there after. Bonus!

Thanks! That's good to know. Hot and cold weather solutions can vary so much regionally. I lived in Nashville for only a year... I couldn't stand the humidity there and promptly moved back to the oh-so-lovely PNW! I think I would melt away any place further south than Tennessee.

 

[alexisrambles]

Thanks! That's good to know. Hot and cold weather solutions can vary so much regionally. I lived in Nashville for only a year... I couldn't stand the humidity there and promptly moved back to the oh-so-lovely PNW! I think I would melt away any place further south than Tennessee. View attachment 1837152

It's the worst I've seen in a long time this year. The heat is giving everyone trouble. I sweat walking to my car FROM MY HOUSE!
OH I will say, if you have black chickens, make sure to have plenty of shade all day. My australorp and crevecoeurs were having a terrible time before I figured out their coop got sun for two hours while I was at work.

 

[KimN]

The heat is relentless this year. We have been at 100% humidity all day today and the past week was 95 with real feel at 107 and absolutely no breeze. The little girls we’re having a hard time completely out in the open shade let alone in the coop. With our humidity levels and zero breeze it’s nothing short of oppressive.

 

[feathermaid]

The heat is relentless this year. We have been at 100% humidity all day today and the past week was 95 with real feel at 107 and absolutely no breeze. The little girls we’re having a hard time completely out in the open shade let alone in the coop. With our humidity levels and zero breeze it’s nothing short of oppressive.

That sucks! Have you found what others in your state are doing to cope with your Hades oven weather? I'm so glad I'm not there! Today is overcast and breezy with a high of 72.

 

[alexisrambles]

That sucks! Have you found what others in your state are doing to cope with your Hades oven weather? I'm so glad I'm not there! Today is overcast and breezy with a high of 72.

I know where I am most people are losing quite a few chickens. Today was 97 and 50% humidity... actually that's way lower than the humidity normally is. It was practically cool! Yesterday was 70%. That's more normal but still low tbh.