How do I help my chickens in Excessive HEAT?

[ChooksChick]

Like Chicken Danz said on the Kansas forum, this will not be the last hot summer ever. Try to learn from what works this year, but also plan for next year- fruit trees for shade, grapes, ivy, etc...things that will improve each year are good investments in this heat.

 

[chawk]

First, from reading all of this I realize I have been so very lucky this summer. Its been really pretty nice here lately.. like bring memories of summer camp and lovely summer days nice. And now... severe heat. It is here. So for all of you that have been suffering for a long time I am so sorry

I put a fan in the coop and I am now in the process of freezing water and watermelon. My first milk jug goes out this morning. I started prepping when I saw the forecast five days ago, so hopefully with all your suggestions my girls and 1 boy will make it through. DH is going to cut in another window as well. He was so smart when he built my coop and said he was going to build in permanent vents as part of the roof. I didn't understand how he would do it but he did it and hardware cloth is on 'em and it is great. heat rises and goes out but the coop is dry.

Planting a vining plant is a great idea! I planted sunflowers on one wall of my run, but I think I planted too late as they are not tall at all. Not what I had hoped for them to use as shade. It gives a teeny area but not much. My original thinking was by planting quite a few rows it would give them shade. I think next year I'll seed my sunflower bed earlier. And now I'm going to see about grapevines for the other wall!!

I'd just like to thank you all for such great ideas. I am so so so happy I found this community!!!

 

[grauerholzfarm]

We have learned so much this year ... We had an old freezer in the barn to store medication for the cattle and hogs- (Sometimes food that was really boxed up) It has now been turned in to a water bottle freezer.... I have a 5 gal contain that I fill the bottom of so when they get fresh water... I use it to make sure the water is extra cold on these days. I would suggest this to everyone that has chickens... or at least a Refridge with the Freezer so the chickens have their own area not taking up any of your kitchen area.... I have an apartment size refidge from college that I use to keep my eggs in until they are bought or we want to use them.


We are also moving our chicken coops next year closer to the house. Anything anyone would suggest having?

 

[chawk]

So far so good!!! We've made it through the first two days of heat. Waterers had GIANT icecubes made in Starbucks cups(Grande sized) also a milk jug of frozen water. I took Gatorade bottles and froze them with lids and hung them in front of the fan. It worked!! Cooled it off quite a bit. I've gotten melons from the farmstand down the street that have fallen or weren't quite good enough to sell, and I froze them and have been taking them out as periodic cool treats. LOVED IT! I've also been switching that up with dishes of frozen veggies. I've been moving the waterers into the shade as much as possible. The one thing they are doing that just makes NO sense to me is hiding under the ramp together. Hello? Kids? BODY HEAT!! But they have only done that a few times. I hope this heat ends soon, but I'm not as freaked out as I was. Now to just rig them up a swimming pool for their feet!!

 

[mamahuhn]

i freeze 2 liter bottles,or gallon jugs with water,and place them around the coop.we also do the fans,and ice in the water.they huddle around them for relief.we are in va,and the temps have been in the triple digits.ask family or neighbors to save the jugs for you.good luck.






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[GoChick]

My chickens free range all day long, and have plenty of shade, but I leave the run open. The floor is sand. I wet the floor and put a fan blowing, it is their favorite place. Also frozen fruits. Watermelon, cantaloupe.

 

[angry gary]

today i dumped 6 bags of top soil in my run. i had done this a couple times in the past couple months to bring the level up some. today when i dumped the 40 lb. bags i did not rake it out but instead left it in piles. the hens instantly started digging in and made little nests to sit in . the soil must have been really cool. all day they sat in the fresh piles. i also put a huge slab of frozen watermelon to go along with a couple frozen gallon water jugs. there is plenty of shade so i am comfortable with everything so far. i see no panting so all must be okay.

AG

 

[vixxen36]

I have 4 chicks now they free range out in the yard, and hide in the shade and dirt during the day, It rained last night so I am hopeing they will be fine today.

 

[vixxen36]

I also have a coop made out of chain link and I plan to do the chicken wire as you have, do you close the door at night to their house?

 

[olefarmersdaughter]

These are all great ideas. Our "dangerous heat warnings" are over here in Nebraska but I think I'll freeze some gallon jugs for the next heat wave.