HOT WATER !!!!!!

[dukecitychick]

Seems to me the issue is how hot the water is relative to their body temps.

If they cool themselves by panting or sweating (do birds even have sweat glands?) then it really depends on the air temperature/humidity relative to their body temperatures. If the air is close to their body temperature, they will get less of an evaporative cooling benefit from panting. The corollary is that they may need to pant more to lose the equivalent amount of heat. If, on the other hand, the air is cool relative to their body temperature, then they will lose more heat per unit water they lose by panting.

The point is, though, that I don't think they are cooled by drinking cool water - they're cooled by panting that water out, so it shouldn't matter much what temperature the water is when it goes in. I'm not a physicist, but this make sense to me.

I have heard of people who have accidentally killed their chickens by giving them cold water on a hot day, so I think of that as the greater danger. June is usually the hottest month here in Albuquerque, and we're halfway through it... so far my birds are OK, though I notice they do seek shade in the run. Good luck with whatever you come up with - I think a block of something frozen in the waterers should at least keep the temp down below what it would have been, so that's progress and can't hurt (since the temperature change will still be gradual over the course of the day).

 

[kycklingmamma]

Whispering Winds. That is exactly what I do. I am in Houston, tx so very hot here indeed. We are going on our 28th day stright with over 90 degrees. I also freeze large coke bottles with water and lay them out in the coop or run so they can roost on them and they do. I have a fan on in the coop but it basically only moves really hot air around...better then still though, huh? I freeze watermelon, or any melon for that matter, when we are done eating them, the scraps or the peel, with that little pink on it, perfect for them to munch on as the day gets warmer.

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

It has been close to the hundreds here this week and the heat index of like 105 degrees. Humid and muggy hot!!

I don't do anything to my water buckets. They will be fine drinking warm water rather than cool water.

I do hose the horses off once or twice a day in cold water but somehow I don't think the chickens want me to do that...but..there is this one roo outside laying in a water hole made by the constant slip n slide water running my kids are playing on today.

My chickens usually make it just fine....During July when you can't even breathe outside it is so hot then I hook up a shop fan blowing in the coop. They appreciate that.

 

[kuntrygirl]

This is exactly why I love this site!!! So many smart people on here with great ideas, great suggestions and great tips. You all are awesome!!!

 

[grnhrn]

kuntrygirl--I am in Lafayette. I have been freezing water in Magnalites and putting the blocks out at 9:30 and then at 2:00. Mine are in the shade a good part of the day, but I checked their water yesterday at noon, and it was still cool. Is there any way you could freeze a couple of smaller blocks to fit into their waterer before you leave. It would keep the water cold and melt throughout the morning and should keep it coolish until you get back. Possibly freeze a couple of long, squarish blocks in some disposable containers (Glad, Hefty) and place the waterer on top of it also.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I have taken everyone's suggestions and ideas and have put things in place for my chickens. Today the temps will be 96 degrees and next Tuesday will get as high as 98 degrees with no chances of rain no time soon. This is what I did. Last night I froze water in water bottles and half gallons jugs. I placed all of them in my waterers. I have (2) - 3 gallon waterers and about (10) - 1 gallon waterers strategically placed throughout their different areas. I have made sure that the waterers are in their different coops/sheds or in a cool/shaded area. I placed the frozen water bottles and half gallon jugs in the watereres this morning about 6:30 am. I will freeze water every night from here on out and place it in the waterers in the morning. I agree with everyone in that this will keep the water a little cooler. And the most important thing is to make sure my chickens have plenty shade/trees to get under. I will check the water temps when I get home to see if there is a difference. I will send out an update on tomorrow.

Also wanted to say that I visited the Baton Rouge, LA zoo this past weekend and noticed that they have "huts" built for their ducks and geese that they place food and water under. The huts are large enough so that the ducks and geese can lay under out of the heat and sun as well. I will try to post a pic of this hut. I may try to have someone build a few of these huts for my chickens. They are really cool looking. I could also use this to place the waterers under and the chickens could also lay under there as well.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I tried putting the frozen water bottles in the waterers and the water was much cooler on yesterday. It was still a little warm but it was not hot as it has been. I have prepared additional shaded areas for the chickens. I paid special attention to the direction of the coops and where the chickens like to lay and dust bathe and the direction of the sun and I have placed long and wide boards in that area, thus blocking the sun from shining into the chicken runs. I did this as soon as I got home on yesterday and the Cornish hens quickly ran to that area and tested out the new shaded area. They were already under a shaded tree. Everyone seems to like the new area. Thanks to everyone for their input. I think my problems have been solved.

And to you (dukecitychick) I am keeping a close eye on their panting. lol. The information that you provided certainly makes sense to me. Thanks

Thanks everyone !!!