Going Out of Town in 100 Degree Weather

[ladyrsanti]

We have to leave for a day, to close on our old house. It came up suddenly. We'll be gone for most of the day, during the heat of the day and it's supposed to be 100 degrees. Normally I let my chickens out and they sleep in the cool of the barn with the sheep and cats during the hottest part of the day. Their coop is like a sauna on hot days but when I leave, I lock them up with access to the enclosed run, making sure they have plenty of food and water. But I'm worried about tomorrow and this heat, leaving them in their hot coop. We are new to the area and don't have anyone who can come check on them. Any suggestions for keeping them cool? Maybe a fan in the window? I'm not crazy about leaving a fan running in the bone dry barn or using any electricity in the barn while I'm gone and during this drought but I might do it this once.

 

[rocksteady]

My Flock was panting and going thru tons of water....i put a house box fan in there for um and dropped the temp about 10-20 degrees make sure if possible when you plug it in it cant be flipped/fall down zip tie it or rope it to something that wont let it fall, and try to plug it into a GFCI plug outlet one that has a test /reset button on it

that should help

 

[fettslady]

Can you add some shade to the enclosed run? Even a tarp or something could help - the difference between sun and shade can be substantial, so I would make sure plenty of shade in run area along with extra water. If you wanted, you could also do an electrolyte drink along with the water to help them out - SavAChick makes an electrolyte mix you add to a gallon of water - think chicken gatorade.

 

[bobbi-j]

Honestly, I'd let them out for their own sake. Ours are out whether we're home for the day or not. The only time the run is shut is if we're going to be gone overnight, and that is to keep critters out of the coops. If you're going to be back that same night, I don't know what difference it would make. Think of it this way - even if you're home and in the house, there is nothing to stop a predator (I'm assuming that's where your concern is) from nabbing one of your birds out of the barn or yard. The only way to protect them close to 100% is to NEVER let them out. (And even that is not a guarantee)

 

[ladyrsanti]

Honestly, I'd let them out for their own sake. Ours are out whether we're home for the day or not. The only time the run is shut is if we're going to be gone overnight, and that is to keep critters out of the coops. If you're going to be back that same night, I don't know what difference it would make. Think of it this way - even if you're home and in the house, there is nothing to stop a predator (I'm assuming that's where your concern is) from nabbing one of your birds out of the barn or yard. The only way to protect them close to 100% is to NEVER let them out. (And even that is not a guarantee)

Maybe that's the reassurance I need. The only difference is that normally I'm here to check on them, get a head count and round up any that stray (though they rarely do). I've never left them out of their coop without me being on the property so it's going to be like leaving my child with a stranger. They're still fairly new to the free range thing and haven't tested the boundaries yet, staying in the barn and fenced pasture. *sigh* I guess the day has come... to let them go... [/melodrama]

Thanks guys!

 

[chickencoop789]

If its 100+ degrees outside they will probably stay in the shade all day or in the "cool of the barn" as you mentioned earlier. Just leave them with LOTS of water.

 

[what did I do]

I'd let them out so they can find their own shade. Do you often have predator problems during the day?

 

[ladyrsanti]

I haven't had a daytime predator problem yet but they have only been free ranging since this heat started up, two weeks or so. So far the barn cats have been good around them. One tested them and got his eye pecked - still infected in fact. The chickens are scared of airplanes and will run inside when one flies over

I just hope they don't get too complacent by the non-threat and stop running when a hawk eventually comes by.

Anyway, I'm psyching myself up to let them out today. Going out in a few to feed and water. Hopefully we can be back before dark. That's my biggest fear, having them roost at night with their door open, that might as well have a big sign on it: "<--EAT AT JOES".

Thanks everyone for the replies! Your the bestest!

 

[ladyrsanti]

I ended up letting them out for the day and am happy to report that the chickens were all accounted for when I returned home. They were happily "grazing" in the pasture when we arrived and returned to their coop/roosts shortly thereafter.

 

[bobbi-j]

Glad to hear it all worked out for you!