Heat wave claimed life of my hen Daisy.

[welasharon]

I have the tops of bird baths scattered around and mine like to stand in the water. It seems to help.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

So sorry to hear about these losses. This heat has been unbelievable and I'm new to chickens, just got mine less than 2 weeks ago. I've been very lucky as my 4 girls have done okay so far but our hottest day was only 104. I know that many are experiencing even worse heat.

I've been doing the ice, extra water, a fan, shading the run with a reflective tarp. As I only have 4 and they are in a chicken tractor with attached run, it's made it a bit easier for me. I brought the tractor close to the house and we're keeping the coop door open at night with an exterior light shining into the run to discourage predators. That way the fan is blowing into the coop all night. Predators will have to be willing to come close to our house [past the smell of our dogs] - then into the security light - then break into the run - before getting access to the coop. A chance, I know, but I figure there's also a chance to lose some from the heat if I close that coop door.

I also froze gallon milk jugs of water and place them in the coop on really hot nights. As the coop is small it does make a difference, especially when the fan manages to blow some air past them.

Good luck to everyone and fingers crossed that this heat wave soon gives up!

 

[foxinachickenhouse]

If you have access to dry ice it can be used to cool an area. There are several "how to's" on line. Most involve the use of a fan but if the coop is not large you probably wouldn't need one. Putting it in a cooler and covering the opening with hardware cloth might work to keep the birds from getting to close to it as it sublimates. Good ventilation is key too since it creates CO2. I have never done this but have heard of people using it this way. The second link does not involve dry ice but is an interesting idea without buying an air conditioner. I feel for everyone dealing with the heat. We would gladly take some off your hands as it is still "Juneuary" in the PNW.

http://www.ehow.com/how_7386732_use-dry-ice-cool-house.html

http://www.fiscalgeek.com/2009/07/homemade-air-conditione/

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Get him inside out of the heat. Trickle some water into his beak to see if you can get him started drinking again. I wouldn't push food for a bit. You could dip his feet in some somewhat tap temperature water too.

That is what I had to do for three of my hens. I put them in cool water and are letting them rest in my shower stall. It has a glass door so they
cannot roam the house. I have a dish of water in the shower with them and have the lights low. I hear an occasional coo come from my bathroom.
They are doing better. I lost one yesterday and do not want to loose another girl to the heat. Never thought that I would have chickens in my shower.

 

[tracymc3202]

Yesterday I wrote in about my rooster. He's fine and has been put back with the flock. Thank-you so much everyone for your posts. They helped me a lot. This is our first attempt at raising chickens. I didn't know that you could get so attached. They each have their own little personalities. I love all ten of mine, and my heart feels for each of your losses. Summer has just begun down south and it's HOT !!! Good luck to each of you !!

 

[kmatt87]

Get him inside out of the heat. Trickle some water into his beak to see if you can get him started drinking again. I wouldn't push food for a bit. You could dip his feet in some somewhat tap temperature water too.

add some electrolytes to the water as well!

 

[welasharon]

Yesterday I wrote in about my rooster. He's fine and has been put back with the flock. Thank-you so much everyone for your posts. They helped me a lot. This is our first attempt at raising chickens. I didn't know that you could get so attached. They each have their own little personalities. I love all ten of mine, and my heart feels for each of your losses. Summer has just begun down south and it's HOT !!!  Good luck to each of you !!

 

Keep a close watch on him. It seems once they suffer from it they are more apt to do it again.

 

[gg706]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Sounds like you did everything you could and more. I have been so worried about this heat wave. My birds are only about 6 months old...they seem to be dealing pretty well. I have their chicken tractor in the shade and the attached run in the shade. I put up 2 fans in the run so they could get constant air to cool them off....They went into the coop and would NOT use the fans! I was so mad!

I am putting up a fan in the wire window to blow around in the roost area. They are so much creatures of habit they will roost with the fan in the window. They get on and off the roost all unsettled about the fan being in the window but eventually settle down. The other day when the temps hit 108, I locked them up in the run so they couldn't really get away from the fans and misted them with the hose several times a day. Not sure if this is good for them but it did cool them down. They didn't like it AT ALL! I tried a pan of water for them to get into but they wouldn't have anything to do with it. My neighbor thinks I am crazy putting up fans and such....I asked her what she does for her chickens...she responded with nothing....they deal with the heat. I guess we can all try to help our birds the best we can, but in the end there is only SO much that can be done.

 

[spatulagirl]

I am so sorry about your loss. We just lost a chick the other day to the heat. We were in that storm's path and just got electricity last night. I had no ice and was hauling water in from the river for them all.

 

[20736]

Sorry to hear about your loss. Hope the rest are fine.
I think record heat is worse than record cold. We always make it thru the deep freeze, but the high heat is brutal to hens.