HOT, panting, miserable chicks!

[Jenski]

We are doing a few things to keep the chickens (and chicks) cool as we near 100 with 50%+ humidity:

1) SHADE SHADE SHADE. We have tarps over the pens that catch afternoon rays.
2) ventilation - fans during the day, secure-screened windows all open at night.
3) lots and lots of cool water - - I add ceramic dishes or thick tempered-glass pie pans to all runs, and I add iced water to these pans 2-3 times a day when it's really hot. Half-strength Gatorade can be used too, but it does attract ants here.
4) cool sand. There are sandy dust-bathing pits in all runs, and I cool them down with a hose in the morning so there's nice damp sand to dig in and take naps in the afternoon.
5) frozen water bottles tossed in pens for my large breed chickens. They like to lay next to them - - or on them.

Hope that helps. Good luck!

 

[ElioraImmanuel]

I wouldn't bring them into the A/C. The A/C works by pulling all of the humidity out of the air. That can cause real issues with their lungs when you move them back out into the very humid air. I've heard of placing 2 liter bottles of frozen water in their area. It will put off cool air and they can brush against it.

They need lots of fresh water, air circulation and if they can bury themselves in earth that really helps.

TSC will have electrolyte powder. I put 1/3 tsp/gallon of water. I'd avoid Gatorade. Chickens are not meant to get that kind of sugar. Sugar is okay for the 1st day home for 24 hrs or less.

 

[Pineywoods Peepers]

For those of you who use frozen water bottles and freezer bags full of water how do you keep the sweat from these items from getting the pine shavings sopping wet, or is that an issue since you're ultimately trying to cool off the chicks??

I was just concerned in the humidity of East Texas the shavings would get sopping wet and begin to mold/mildew as a result.

Thanks,

Rachel

 

[blueberrychickens]

I wrapped the ice bottles w/ paper towels when they are on the shavings. Then I just removed any wet shavings in the am. When they are in the run, I just leave the bottle in the shade & they like to stand on them & drink the water that condenses on the bottles.