Hot weather?

[JamminCats]

Hi everyone. Later this week is supposed to hit 89° where I live which is very uncommon. Recently we had a nasty fox attack and the girls are not going into the run nor are they free ranging while at work. They are locked up in the coop until we can get the supplies we ordered. My question is what can I do to keep the cool cool when it’s 89? I’m at work for 12 hours a day and can’t think of anything that will last that long. Would they be OK in the coop? There’s some decent ventilation and two windows that I can open up that have screens on them

 

[swamphiker]

Perhaps it's just not visible in the photos, but I don't see much ventilation. Creating some openings near the top of the coop and covering them with hardware cloth will be the most effective way for hot air to escape since hot air rises while still keeping them safe.

Do the chickens have access to an outdoor run during the day? The chickens will be able to keep themselves cooler outside of the hot coop as long as there is shade and some dirt for them to take dusbaths in. My run is covered with hardware cloth and has a predator apron to keep out digging predators as well, so the girls can still have access to the outside when they aren't free ranging.

 

[Peppercorngal]

Put a fan in the coop! My coops are windowless because of bears but have full sized doors that are open daily. I use fans in each coop. We have temperatures up to 112 degrees in the summer and I also have a misting system in one of the runs. I give them big pots of water that they like to stand in as well. If you have power, I'd go with the fan for sure! Good luck to you!

 

[JamminCats]

Perhaps it's just not visible in the photos, but I don't see much ventilation. Creating some openings near the top of the coop and covering them with hardware cloth will be the most effective way for hot air to escape since hot air rises while still keeping them safe.

Do the chickens have access to an outdoor run during the day? The chickens will be able to keep themselves cooler outside of the hot coop as long as there is shade and some dirt for them to take dusbaths in. My run is covered with hardware cloth and has a predator apron to keep out digging predators as well, so the girls can still have access to the outside when they aren't free ranging.

There is some ventilation towards the top, I don’t have a picture of it. They can’t go on the run at the moment as it got damaged in the fox attack. We are in a remote location and there’s nowhere to get any supplies around here as all the stores are sold out. I’m waiting for my order to come in. Until then they really can’t go into the run

 

[swamphiker]

There is some ventilation towards the top, I don’t have a picture of it. They can’t go on the run at the moment as it got damaged in the fox attack. We are in a remote location and there’s nowhere to get any supplies around here as all the stores are sold out. I’m waiting for my order to come in. Until then they really can’t go into the run

It sounds like you are doing your best to keep your chickens safe! My chickens really enjoy having a pan with an inch or two of water to dip their feet in when it is hot, which is often here in Florida. You might need to secure it to the floor or add weight to it so it doesn't get tipped over while you're gone.

 

[aart]

Not sure the ice pan will be good inside your coop but the electrolytes will help......

Deep all day shade is best but....I don't have much of that.
This has worked very well to keep heat stress/stroke at bay:

I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves.
It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.
Can mix up a smaller amount, just wrap the packet tight and store in a dry cool place.
Always have plain water available too.

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.
Much more useful to the chickens than frozen foods and treats.

Make space in your freezer!