Hello from Albuquerque!

[lucy8821]

Hi there everybody! My husband and I are new to chicken keeping, and are excited to move our 6-week old chickens out to our coop when it is finished next week. We have 7 of them, and the coop is nearly ready. Coop is 4' x 8', raised up 2.5 feet. There is an attached run on the East side of the coop which is 8' x 12'. It is 6' high, 2x4 frame and covered in 1/2" hardware cloth and then covered again with 2" x 4" welded wire. The wire is buried 2 feet. I think it's pretty much coyote-proof! However, it is HOT HOT HOT here . . . . are these poor chickens going to get roasted? They have access to shade (under the coop) and the coop is well-ventilated. But I am wondering what people do to keep their chickens relatively cool??

 

[drumstick diva]

My sister and niece live near Albuquerque - I wonder can anything be cool there?
For the most part people use "Misters" for the chickens but, I suppose that would evaporate so fast the chickens wouldn't get to feel it. Shade, shade and more shade is good - natural or artificial like shade cloth. freeze gallon water jugs and set outside so the chickens can mosey up to them if they choose. Can you set up a fan in the coop (protected from chickens) moving air feels cooler.

Put ice in the waterers - feed them watermelon - a big favorite in any weather.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined us!

 

[CedarAcres]

Hello! Welcome to BYC!

So glad to have you with us. Make sure they have plenty of shade & water. You can put ice cubes in their water to keep it colder longer. They love it when the water is nice & cold when it is hot outside!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas again lucy8821, and

! Pleased to have you with us! Best wishes and have fun!

 

[lucy8821]

Hey thanks, everybody. Great idea to put ice out.

 

[Tuhmu]

and good luck with your poultry adventure! Hope all is going well with keeping your chickens cool.

 

[liz9910]

 

[Sam3 Abq]

same thoughts for me - thinking/planning our 1st flock here in Abq. hope to hear back from you on your progress. trying to connect with as many Abq. flocks as possible.