Heat Problem (Help)

[Nuclear Chickens]

I am currently flockless. Lost the whole flock one and two at a time in spite of my best efforts. I think it might have been due to the desert heat here in Tonopah, Arizona. I had 15 total hens to start. A mix of Buff Orphingtons, Barred Rocks and Arachonas. I have two chicken arks with shelter at one end permanently attached to a 20x20 foot run. They were thriving, averaging around a dozen eggs per day. But then summer came and when we hit the 100+ degree days of June/July/Aug. Started losing one or two a day. I added a tarp to half the run for more shade. Added a fine water mister for cooling which slowed the loss but still was finding one or two a week dead. I also noticed they were bunching around the feeder/water in spite of the heat. I would really welcome some ideas for the up coming summer to prepare the arks/run before getting some more hens. Thanks

 

[asher]

I assume that you checked other potential problems like mites and worms and that you know it was for sure a heat issue?

If so, I will just address that. In the Summer, I am big on fresh water on a regular basis. Lots of various water basins with ice in them to keep them cold. Frozen treats like frozen peas. They love it. Fresh fruits like watermelon will provide even more liquids for them.

 

[FortWorthChicks]

I agree about the frozen treats and ice in the water. Where you live I might would freeze big blocks of ice and put em in the watering can to melt and keep cool.

 

[SuziQ991]

I'm so sorry you lost your flock. This past summer I did the above mentioned things and also put cookie sheets with water in them for the chickens to walk through. I really don't know if it helped but the chickens loved it. It just seemed like a little extra way for them to cool off.

 

[rhoda_bruce]

I don't know much about growing things in the desert, but can you research about certain bushes or shrubbery that might grow in your area that the chickens could use as cover? Maybe even something fruitbearing to kill 2 birds with one stone. There must be a way to create a little oasis for them.

 

[rhoda_bruce]

Oh.....one other thing. I think that leghorns, minorcas and anconas would do better with the heat than big birds like orphingtons and BRs. Anyone agree with me?

 

[donna8424]

Sorry for your loss,

I keep 2 large pans 20” round 4” deep I keep full of water. They love to walk and cool their feet. One tries to get in with the block of ice, fans in the house so they don’t get too hot when laying and every day when it’s 90+ they get cold watermelon around noon.
I love my girls

 

[satay]

I have br's here in Australia where it gets mighty hot in summer (now). I would think most chickens can adjust to where they live. Plenty of shade and lots of water.

 

[vicky]

Chickens are pretty hardy to the heat from what I've seen here in Australia. So long as they have some shade and lots of fresh water they do ok.

I often laugh at mine as they try to cool off by panting and lifting their wings up to let the air in under. Were yours doing this cooling off technique?

If they weren't then I'd think it was some other disease rather than heat.


Best of luck with the new flock!

 

[chookchick]

I agree about researching the breeds. Some breeds can handle the heat a LOT better than others. I would post in the Breeds forum asking about "Heat Resistant Breeds" or something like that. I really don't think I could survive in 100 plus heat day after day--I don't know how you guys do it.