HOT HOT HOT!!

[bugaboosy]

My girls don't seem to like standing in water at all. I have a little paddling pool with like 2 cm water in it just in case tho. I have the watermelon freezing and ice in their drinking water. I also go into my neighbours back yard (she's a friend and it's a granny flat out back of my place) and hose her side of the fence down to help cool things.
Anything else I could try?

 

[kristyw]

You can also make them some home made electrolyte solution (or gator ade).  Super easy to make.  The recipe I used has water, salt, baking soda, sugar, and a bit of powdered Jello.  You can do a google search to find lots of different recipes.  As others have suggested, wetting down some of the sand/soil in their run so they have a damp spot to wallow in will help.  Can you safely let them out to free range?  If so, they can find nice shady spots under trees and in the grass.  It's always much cooler when there's vegetation.  Hang a wet sheet in front of a van.  The increased evaporation will cool the air.  If you have plenty of water available, you can use a water mister.  I don't have that option here b/c of poor well supply.

yes we let them free range often and have lots of shady trees

 

[kristyw]

Hi Kristy, My husbands family is from Perth. What a beautiful place! We were there this time of year and know how hot it gets! Here in Boston, we were in the 90's for a stretch last summer and our new chickens struggled, but you are at 105, that is brutal!

What worked for us and our 4 chickens was freezing a pan of water(or two), about 1-2 inches thick and just leaving it out for them to stand in, huddle next to or drink from. We also did the big plastic jugs of frozen water that they could huddle near but they loved the pans of ice! We did hook up a fan for them on a couple oppressive days and they loved the breeze.

They LOVE frozen watermelon rinds!

Good luck, keep us posted and welcome!

hi! They managed to get through the day just fine and it has cooled down slightly which is a relief

however we are om for a lot more hot weather right through until March most likely. I have got some wonderful tips from everyone so thankyou!