Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

View attachment 3559559
Exchequer..baby, Leghorn top left..white up front. You know it. I live Leghorns.

Such wonderful chickens.

 

[Lilion]

So folks, this is the forecast. If we get thru tomorrow and Friday we're back in temps they're used to.

There is no way you could bring her into the house tomorrow for some air conditioning at the hottest party of the day.

Because of how the house is built we simply can't bring all of them indoors. We have no way to confine all of them. It's very open concept and our little dog would lose her mind.

That said, Manny and Meanie seemed to take the heat much better. We could possibly use one of our dogs crates for Sheba if we put the dog in the bedroom. I'm still awfully worried about Eenie on the nest, but she never even was panting today. So...I guess she's okay?

 

[BY Bob]

What things short of bringing them in? It will be down to the low 80s; high 70s by morning, which they are used to.

Mine are allowed out so I hose down the area under the magnolia tree to create cool spots for them.

I add electrolytes to their water along with freezing it before giving it to them.

I freeze blueberries in ice and give them that.

I change their water multiple times throughout the day as it thaws, I bring it in and refreeze it.

I have 7 different waterers in rotation. I don't want them walking far to get cold water.

I have fans in the main coop and cluckle Hut. The fan in the Cluckle Hut blows directly on the roost. The fan in the main coop blows in the nest boxes. I have a battery powered misting fan that I will deploy on the roosts in the main coop to help cool them at night. My coops are only used for egg laying in the day time.

My last resort is to bring them into the garage at night. My garage is in the basement of my house and stays around 55°F all the time.

 

[BY Bob]

So folks, this is the forecast. If we get thru tomorrow and Friday we're back in temps they're used to. View attachment 3559623

Because of how the house is built we simply can't bring all of them indoors. We have no way to confine all of them. It's very open concept and our little dog would lose her mind.

That said, Manny and Meanie seemed to take the heat much better. We could possibly use one of our dogs crates for Sheba if we put the dog in the bedroom. I'm still awfully worried about Eenie on the nest, but she never even was panting today. So...I guess she's okay?

She probably is ok. I use a dog crate for mine when I bring them into the garage. A large dog crate is very useful to have and they do show up at yard sales, etc.

 

[Lilion]

She probably is ok. I use a dog crate for mine when I bring them into the garage. A large dog crate is very useful to have and they do show up at yard sales, etc.

Thank you so much for all your tips. We had one quite large, but donated it. It would have fit all of them. Kicking myself now.

I will water down the run tomorrow. I was worried about raising the humidity, but you folks are telling me it's okay. You use the Misting fan at night? That's ok? Getting them all wet? I can do that. We have a misting fan.

I'm going to shovel most of the litter down, so they can get to the cement where it's cooler, but I can't do anything with the nest area...

 

[Ponypoor]

Heat is way more dangerous to chickens than cold. Frost bite might remove a point on a comb but heat will simply kill them.

Yes same as a person, studies have shown the people can tolerate cold better than heat.

 

[Ponypoor]

So folks, this is the forecast. If we get thru tomorrow and Friday we're back in temps they're used to. View attachment 3559623

Because of how the house is built we simply can't bring all of them indoors. We have no way to confine all of them. It's very open concept and our little dog would lose her mind.

That said, Manny and Meanie seemed to take the heat much better. We could possibly use one of our dogs crates for Sheba if we put the dog in the bedroom. I'm still awfully worried about Eenie on the nest, but she never even was panting today. So...I guess she's okay?

Being a broody she is not drinking as much so she will be suffering just as much.

I would use the fans with your ice bottles as a evaporative cooler to ensure they are kept safe, eap Eanie she may not be showing any symptoms but she is at higher risk.

 

[Ponypoor]

Thank you so much for all your tips. We had one quite large, but donated it. It would have fit all of them. Kicking myself now.

I will water down the run tomorrow. I was worried about raising the humidity, but you folks are telling me it's okay. You use the Misting fan at night? That's ok? Getting them all wet? I can do that. We have a misting fan.

I'm going to shovel most of the litter down, so they can get to the cement where it's cooler, but I can't do anything with the nest area...

Eanie will likely stick to her nest if she is indeed as focused as you say. One thing, don’t wet your bedding that could create mold.

Don’t worry about raising the humidity, the excess will be naturally ventilated out by the wind.

Even in humid air a swamp (evaporative) cooler will lower the temps,

There is a humidity chart here for some info:

https://www.newair.com/blogs/learn/evaporative-cooler-humidity-chart

 

[Ponypoor]

Mine are allowed out so I hose down the area under the magnolia tree to create cool spots for them.

I add electrolytes to their water along with freezing it before giving it to them.

I freeze blueberries in ice and give them that.

I change their water multiple times throughout the day as it thaws, I bring it in and refreeze it.

I have 7 different waterers in rotation. I don't want them walking far to get cold water.

I have fans in the main coop and cluckle Hut. The fan in the Cluckle Hut blows directly on the roost. The fan in the main coop blows in the nest boxes. I have a battery powered misting fan that I will deploy on the roosts in the main coop to help cool them at night. My coops are only used for egg laying in the day time.

My last resort is to bring them into the garage at night. My garage is in the basement of my house and stays around 55°F all the time.

Also if you have a second bathroom you can always put them in the tub/shower

 

[Lilion]

Eanie will likely stick to her nest if she is indeed as focused as you say. One thing, don’t wet your bedding that could create mold.

Don’t worry about raising the humidity, the excess will be naturally ventilated out by the wind.

Even in humid air a swamp (evaporative) cooler will lower the temps,

There is a humidity chart here for some info:

https://www.newair.com/blogs/learn/evaporative-cooler-humidity-chart

I'll take a look at that. With respect to bedding...how do you mist the roosts without getting bedding wet? Inquiring minds want to know!

I need to take all the bedding out and put fresh...but what do i do with Eenie?

I asked a couple days ago but no one answered...if we decide to move her to the little coop (once it's cooler) is it best to do it early it close to hatching? Or wait for chicks?

Also if you have a second bathroom you can always put them in the tub/shower

I'm pretty sure they'd decline to stay there. No door. LOL