Heat Wave

[drom]

One of my hens is sitting on some eggs right now and it is going to be about 103-104 degrees today. Should I bring her and the eggs indoors?

 

[skeeter9]

Drom, you must live close to me??? I'm in Tollhouse (in the foothills outside of Fresno) and it's been unbearably hot here, too. I've had chicks hatch during this nasty weather, so I don't think it hurts them, although I know the hens are plenty warm. I've got mine situated in the coolest spot on our property - under the deep shade of several huge oak trees. Does your hen seem to be stressing from the heat?

 

[matthew1985]

im in de an its hottt here also.

 

[Mahonri]

It's 114 out there right now but the NWS thermometer situated 200 feet in the air above a windy airport says it's only 110 right now.

I let the chicks out of their pen to free range in shade next to the east side of the house and some of them went back into the pen to stand next to two bottles of frozen watter I have in there.

Forecast is for 110+ days for the next 7 days. HELP!

 

[skeeter9]

If your chickens seem to be stressing from the heat, the best thing for them is air circulation. I've done some research on this subject because I know that chickens can get stressed from the heat and die - and it gets hot, hot, hot here. I researched on several university sights and the consensus was that air circulation is the best way to keep your birds cool. I know it works, because when mine start to get stressed (excess panting, etc.) I turn on box fans in their coops (my coops consist of 3-sided buildings with attached runs) and soak the dirt in front of the fans, and it really works. It's still hot, but the air movement allows the chickens to get rid of excess body heat, so they don't stress. I also checked into what the poultry operations around here do to keep their birds cool, and they all use huge fans to circulate the air in their buildings. I remember reading somewhere that misters aren't a good idea because when the chicken's feathers are damp, it actually holds the heat in. I can't find where I read that, so I don't know what site it was on, nor can I go back and evaluate the source, but it makes sense.

 

[drom]

thanks for your comments. I'm worried about the hens now because I lost my best one at the beginning of this month. I am so broken hearted-I just adored her. It was about 107 here and I had to leave for a couple hours to go to the store. I don't like to leave the chickens loose when I am not around because I am afraid of predators or someone's dog wandering on to the property. So I put my hens in their coop before I left. It got too hot for her. The other two were fine for some reason.
You are exactly right. I think she would have been fine if I had left her loose. I think she would have gotten more air that way. I think they are probably safer when they can go where they want to.

Today, I left the door to the coop open and she went back and forth; She sat on the eggs for a while and then sat under a tree for a while. She's fine. I don't know if the eggs are. We'll see.

Oh, I am further north of you Skeeter. I am in the foothills off of 80 in Placer County.

Mahonri, you must be in Arizona. I can't think of any other other place that gets quite that hot. OH DUH! I just noticed you're in Phoenix. ahahha

 

[Chotii]

It's hot here (Pacific Northwest) and due to get hotter all week: meaning, nearly 100F.

My incubator has a hard time staying cool enough when the garage warms up, so I've set it directly on the garage floor, which maintains a cool temperature.

Too bad you guys can't do that with your hens.

 

[Mahonri]

They are saying 112 tomorrow, I'm guessing 114 or higher.

This July has really had me thinking about a month long vacation every year.

 

[Junkmanme]

I lived in Phoenix, AZ for 3 years. NEVER got used to the HEAT!

Moved to Colorado and stayed 21 years.......just to get myself cooled down again! Amazing that it took THAT LONG to cool off!

I have a daughter with her family living there (Goodyear,AZ).They SAY they LOVE it. (I'm SURE that she's lying!) She offered to let me move in with them..........NOT VERY LIKELY!!!!!)

It was about 92 here in the shade of my porch today. Too darn HOT for me! I stayed inside as much as possible!

IF the temp exceeds 75 F, I sweat!

NOT a warm weather guy! I LOVE SPRING and Fall! Hate Winter and Summer.....Favorite Time:Thanksgiving! GOOD FOOD..GOOD WEATHER!

-Junkmanme-

 

[Eggs4Sale]

Quote:
drom, I have a broody sitting on eggs in 115 + degrees. They are not hard-boiled. I candled today at 6 days and three had a mass (or yolk) that moved with the egg, but 3 looked like nothing. I don't know yet if any of them will live. On the incubating threads, they say the egg should be at 99-100 degrees. If it gets to 105, you have a dead egg. Well, if it's 110 or more outside, imagine the temp under a hen!
If you want any success, you may need to bring her inside.