Hot weather, Cool Ladies

[MemesChicks]

It's sure been warm here! This is my first summer with my ladies. I felt so bad when I saw their wings drooped and mouths open and panting! I've been treating them to frozen yogurt with rice mixed in, frozen berries, and putting ice blocks in their water. Helps a lot! The run is in the shade for the most part.

Other ideas?

 

[kichohana]

I do the same with ice in the water and cool treats - canteloupe, watermelon, frozen peas, carrots and corn too. They love it! After losing a hen last summer in the heat, I covered half their run in shade cloth. Worth every penny as it lowers the temp by about 10 degrees. My husband made me a mister too. I tried one from Home Depot - cost about $10:

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/buildi...g/orbit/cobra-mistand-67397.html#.UCq61KC1JOQ

but it only lasted one summer before a mister clogged and wouldn't work.

The one my DH made is with a piece of pvc pipe, a threaded end, some screw in misters, and a quick connect for the hose. I run it for about 15-30 minutes at a time and it cools the air in their run and dampens the dirt floor. Then they love to dig and dust bathe in the cool damp dirt.

 

[MemesChicks]

Love this idea...can you post a picture of the mister?

 

[BuffOrpington88]

A fan would be a good idea. I have one and if they get hot they sit in front of the fan and take a nap! Also, if the humidity is under 70% it would help them if you sprayed their wings with water.