Hosing down the girls in HOT Weather.......YAY or NAY

[Mahonri]

I was out in it about an hour ago... it was 108... sprayed down the few that had ventured out into the run. Rechanged their water... they seem to be doing OK...

The three that got sprayed with the cold water LOVED IT!

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Hey, i'm in Sacramento, too. Well, Fair Oaks specifically. i had to bring two young Showgirls into the house as they were just so miserable. i have another Showgirl with four chicks i may bring in. Have misters set up on several of my pens, as well as fans.

My big girls are loving the misters. They are hanging right where the water comes down and taking baths in the cool dirt. My pen of younger silkies, 3-4 months, don't seem to want to be under the misters. But i have been hosing down the dirt to keep it cool and handing out watermelon to all.

Setting up misters and a fan brought the temps down in my coop housing the Showgirl and her four chicks from over 100 to 92, so it really does help. They aren't getting wet at all. The water from the misters is just cooling off the air above the coop.

This heat is no fun!

 

[Bokeeliachick]

I usually save any leftovers from dinner for the chickens the next day. I put them in a bowl and add water and put them in the freezer. Gives them an icy treat to pick at. Does not take long to melt here in Florida.

 

[mtnhomechick]

Quote:
Sounds like a good idea. Might try that. Tonight dh had new england boiled dinner. They might like the veggies but not salty ham in this heat. I had fried green tomato.......no leftovers, HAHA.

 

[frogs n chickens]

102 here today and with Otis our roo chasing one of the girls, she just layed down panting. I picked her up and put her feet into a birdbath my DW had just filled with cold water and within 3 or 4 minutes she stopped panting and appeared to be very comfortable. I will be getting a kiddie pool and introducing the girls to it one by one. Otis will just have to take his que from the girls.

 

[maf2008]

I have an chicken automatic water fountian and cooloing watering system! This is so easy and I will never have to lug another hose to the coop and clean out the nasty chicken waters with alge! Please try this soon!

You will only need 5 things......

1) a garden hose (you maybe have one)
2) a timer (get at the garden center)
3) a "bubbler waterer sprinkler" (round ring kind by the water hoses)
4) a cinder or concrete block (lots of styles and sizes)
5) a hot water pan (this is a shallow round pan that fits under your hot water heater and you can get in metal or plastic. Its 2 inches deep and 3 feet in circumfrence.

Put the soaker/bubbler on top of the cinder/concrete block screw in the hose. (you may want to add wire to keep it from falling off) Place the hot water pan under the bottom and turn on the hose.

Its that easy. My chickens are the coolest chicks in town!
I let the pan overflow for a few minutes so the chickens can cool thier feet. I am adding some old bath tiles around the base so they will be even cooler on their feet

 

[mtnhomechick]

Quote:
Any chance you can post a pic of that?

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

i would love to see a picture of that chicken automatic water fountain and cooling watering system, too.

It was hotter today than yesterday - 107. i had to bring a fluffy black silkie in as her breathing was worrying me. i also went to OSH and Lowes and bought two more fans, a small evaporative cooler, and some small misting rings. The rings fit on the front of a regular fan and turn it into a misting fan. They only cost $5 and work pretty well. Although probably not as safe as a regular misting fan with a water-safe electrical box.

i have the hillbilly cooling system going outside, with fans and misters and hoses and cords strung all over the different pens. Oh well, whatever works and keeps them alive!

 

[Judy]

Quote:
I would be very careful with this. Feed can mold quickly and that can be deadly for them. You could do it with a small quantity, but would need to remove anything that was wet and hadn't been eaten in half an hour or so.

 

[Emzyyy]

LOL I just spray them off if they like it or not Im not having mine have heat strokes on me my ducks love it though. My silkies prob hate it the most but they like it afterwards they come out of the shade and stop panting. I hold mine by the feet and spray the water down into their feathers so it just doesn't roll off.