How hot is too hot?

[Dr.Doorlock]

The first surprise was 1/2 the eggs as usual. My 8 hens would produce 7 to 8 eggs per day, but with triple digit temps I now get 3 or 4. Is this normal? Are my hens in danger from the heat? I don't want to be surprised by loosing one of my small flock.

They get ice in their water each day and they have a mister over the run. Is this enough?

 

[Big C]

We are doing the same, but have frozen milk bottles nested in the bermuda grass bedding.

At 85% production with auastrolorps, red stars, barred rocks and rir's. All except red stars were raised here, but the red stars have adapted well. Got some new 18 week pullets 3 days ago and a few have already started laying.
The only time we have experienced lower production is if a predator, coon, snake or dog disturbs the natural rythm of the flocks.

 

[al6517]

Well Texas if your heat wave is anything like the one we always have this time of yr here in Hadies I mean ( Oklahoma ) LOL, they are quiting now as mine are, they are just plain miserable. We have had 105+ everyday for 3 wks now, even losing a few to the heat, so yes it is too HOT already but they will return when it cools in about never.

AL

 

[Big C]

Elgin, thinkin that you are close to us here in north Texas. Altus is 30 miles away.

Yes all are miserable and rarely venture outside. Haven't lost any yet (even the new pullets from 3 days ago).

All are raised in converted greenhouses. Have been growing plants for most of 20 years and a few years ago we assimilated this into our coops. Works well for us. Currently expanding and will have 11 coops with runs by fall.

Growing austrolorps, barred rocks, red stars and rir's.

Oh and love to cook also!!!

 

[2txmedics]

ok, everyone can get there laugh of the day...Im very new to this, and when I first went out to see my chickens, I live in Texas...I saw them all laying around, on there sides, and ran up and even went as far as taking a picture with my cell phone, sending it to honey...saying my chickens are sick, they are dying!!!!!

Well that was 3wks ago, and now I know they move the dirt around for a cool spot and lay in it...or have a dust bath...

But the lady at the feed store says alot are being lost to the heat, so I go out and get my water hose, point it up in the air, and spray it like rain....then after that I take a hoe, and go in and work on the dirt...so they can have soft dirt to lay in....with the heat, the dirt is so hard at times.

 

[al6517]

Quote:
Heck yeah I know and have been to Vernon many times, it is just west of the Falls. Can you BBQ ??, LOL.

AL