Help with heat wave

[artsvarc]

I've had to close off the coop because of excessive heat. It's 100+ in the coop, even with a fan.

Here's my issue..... I put two milk crates, with nesting pads, in the covered run. They have been in panic mode for hours, trying to get in the coop. I'm assuming they will eventually just drop an egg or decide to use the crates? I spent time out there like a crazy lady.... picking up chickens and putting them in so they can see the nesting pad.

I had a few chickens yesterday that spent hours in the coop nesting boxes and the panting was so excessive. I've frozen up some electrolytes with berries today and they are making it through this heat.

 

[Brooks_]

If it's too hot in the coop, then they will just have to deal with not going in the coop. But why is it so hot in the coop?

 

[artsvarc]

If it's too hot in the coop, then they will just have to deal with not going in the coop. But why is it so hot in the coop?

Unfortunately the coop is in the sun and is a heat index of 102° .

 

[3KillerBs]

You need to get some shade up over your coop and open up more ventilation.

This is my outdoor brooder -- with 16 square feet of permanent ventilation and another 10 feet of supplemental ventilation I still needed to put up a shade canopy.

 

[SarahGfa]

I had broody hens sitting on nests in 110+ degree heat last year. I put ice packs on top of the nest boxes and on the sides.

 

[Brooks_]

Unfortunately the coop is in the sun and is a heat index of 102° .

What is your ambient temp?

 

[NatJ]

I put two milk crates, with nesting pads, in the covered run. They have been in panic mode for hours, trying to get in the coop. I'm assuming they will eventually just drop an egg or decide to use the crates?

Try adding some fake eggs to the new nests.
It's the easiest way to "tell" a hen what that space is for, and hens like to lay eggs where there are already other eggs.

(If you don't have fake eggs, try golf balls, smooth rocks, plastic Easter Eggs-- anything egg shaped. Chickens aren't too picky. Real eggs would work too, but then you might have rotten eggs if you leave them out in that heat.)

 

[Geckolady]

Yikes! that's too hot for them.

One think I do to help keep them cool is have a supply of refrigerated cucumbers handy. I cut them lengthwise, and they feast on the nice cool seeds and pulp. That won't do a lot, but every bit helps.

 

[artsvarc]

What is your ambient temp?

It was about 95 at peak today. I'm at max ventilation without removing a while wall. (dealt with that over winter).

 

[artsvarc]

Yikes! that's too hot for them.

One think I do to help keep them cool is have a supply of refrigerated cucumbers handy. I cut them lengthwise, and they feast on the nice cool seeds and pulp. That won't do a lot, but every bit helps.

I did mix up Fresh Eggs Daily recipe for electrolytes and frozen it with watermelon chunks.