Heat management idea: Water-filled pipe perch that can be frozen.

[ChickenOfSpades]

It's peak summer here, and gets HOT. We're used to keeping bigger animals cool (like horses), but new to chickens.

I had an idea while falling asleep last night: PVC pipe large enough diameter for them to perch on, but sealed and filled with water (or an ice substitute) leaving enough roof for expansion. The liquid-filled pipe can the frozen, then the chickens can stand on it to help cool off their feet. It would more or less function like a re-freezable ice block - the water inside would stay clean and it can be refrozen as needed.

The idea came after another person recommended dipping the feet of an overheated hen into cool water.

Has anyone tried something like this? Would the chickens stand on something kinda cold like that?

 

[Blue Raptor]

It's peak summer here, and gets HOT. We're used to keeping bigger animals cool (like horses), but new to chickens.

I had an idea while falling asleep last night: PVC pipe large enough diameter for them to perch on, but sealed and filled with water (or an ice substitute) leaving enough roof for expansion. The liquid-filled pipe can the frozen, then the chickens can stand on it to help cool off their feet. It would more or less function like a re-freezable ice block - the water inside would stay clean and it can be refrozen as needed.

The idea came after another person recommended dipping the feet of an overheated hen into cool water.

Has anyone tried something like this? Would the chickens stand on something kinda cold like that?

I have dipped their feet in cool water, and I’ve found it does give them some relief. They also like frozen fruits or veggies as a treat sometimes. Cold water is always important to have around for them to drink, as well.
I think your idea of the frozen perch is interesting! I’m not sure if they’d stand on it- you may only know by trial and error, but cooling their feet does help make the rest of their bodies cooler. Same with us too. If I’m wearing socks in the summer, I’d be way too hot .

 

[lomine]

Not sure if they'd want to perch on a cold pipe. I would be worried about if they could grip the pipe. I would also worry about the strength of the pipe. Unless you go with an extremely wide pipe it's not going to have a lot of rigidity. I doubt a smaller pipe would be able to hold both the weight of the water/ice and the weight of several chickens. You could try sticking a frozen water bottle in the coop for a few days in a row and see if any are interested in getting up close to it.

The chickens should be fine if they are given adequate water, protection from direct sun, and proper ventilation inside the coop or other structures. You can also give them frozen treats to cool them off and give them something to do.

 

[Beaker99]

I considered something like this. PVC filled with cool, damp sand. But it's too slippery to perch on, I think.

 

[ChickenOfSpades]

Not sure if they'd want to perch on a cold pipe. I would be worried about if they could grip the pipe. I would also worry about the strength of the pipe. Unless you go with an extremely wide pipe it's not going to have a lot of rigidity. I doubt a smaller pipe would be able to hold both the weight of the water/ice and the weight of several chickens. You could try sticking a frozen water bottle in the coop for a few days in a row and see if any are interested in getting up close to it.

The chickens should be fine if they are given adequate water, protection from direct sun, and proper ventilation inside the coop or other structures. You can also give them frozen treats to cool them off and give them something to do.

I do most of this already and they have been doing pretty well. This is mostly an experiment. I have a bunch of pipe around from putting in irrigation sprinklers, so I'll probably just give it a try. It'll cost me $5 or less in supplies to put together a prototype, so it's not a big deal if it fails.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

They might like that. I know my chickens love to stand in cold water trays. I removed the 1" high plastic trays that go with my wire dog crates and I place them in the shade. I fill with cool water twice a day when it's hot and my chickens love to stand in those trays! If it won't cost you that much I say experiment and try it out. The only thing I would be leary about is with frozen water, but if you were to put something that would add grib and serve as a barrier so where they are coming in contact isn't below freezing that might work.

 

[ChickenOfSpades]

I considered something like this. PVC filled with cool, damp sand. But it's too slippery to perch on, I think.

I'd probably use wide diameter pipe and put a strip of grip tape along the top of it (like is used for slippery outdoor stairs), or just double up a couple of pipes side by side so there's a bit wider surface for standing on.

 

[3KillerBs]

Plastic is slippery and you wouldn't want their feet to get frostbitten.

Chickens are tough, adaptable animals that have existed as livestock for thousands of years in various climates.

Give them shade, cool water, access to the ground where they can dig into cooler layers beneath the surface, and LOTS OF VENTILATION and they should be fine.

 

[aart]

Grip tape sounds good.
I just make large ice blocks in small totes to go into shallow pans.
Some do stand right on the ice, for short periods,
certainly not long enough to get frostbite.
Don't like the idea of having to clean something to go back into the freezer.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-extreme-weather-spiel.75893/

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree with killerbee - SHADE, water, and ventilation. I don't even cool my water. BUT be sure and have enough water. Shade moves during the day, check it through out the day, to know how your set up works.

If I do anything, I dampen the ground with water, they can dig in that, take dust baths.

The thing with a long narrow ice - is it is going to melt in less than 30 minutes. Not a lot of relief for a lot of dinking around to provide it.

MRs K