Heat and Chickens

[CariLynn]

It is that time of year again...the heat is horrid here in Northern VA, yesterday it was 102 and today it is 100 at the moment, at 16:30 in the afternoon.

Because I have no electricity in the coop and yard area, the husband is now looking at a solar panel for me, so I went to Wal Mart and got two medium type fans that run on 8 D batteries and put them on either side of their smaller coop for a cross breeze. I then got cold water and put electrolytes in their water and put out several pieces of watermelon out for them too as I had thought maybe because they are so juicy, that would be good for them. Is there anything else I can do to help?

I feel horrid to go out and see them panting, their wings out, and a few dust bathing and laying there. The panting is what concerns me the most....

 

[carrlr]

I think you're doing what you can. I'm assuming they have some shade. Panting is what they do, kind of like a dog. Mine seem to like it when I spray their run down with cool water and add ice to their waterers.

 

[CariLynn]

Oh yes, their coop and run yard is under our tree's so they have shade 90% of the day..it is only in the morning that they get sun.

 

[M.sue]

The fan is a good idea and one I've been thinking of. Mine are panting too and the temp has only been 92" at the highest here so far. Does your coop have cross ventilation? Ours has 2 nice sized windows on one side. The other side has the nesting boxes and a separate storage box which is accessible from the outside of the coop. We prop the wood lid on the storage box to create a cross breeze. The storage box is fool proof to would be prediators. It is secured by a wire cage lid my husband put togther. Ice cubes in the water and hosing down the run is a good idea too. Good luck keeping the chicks cool!