how to acclimate chicks to summer heat!

[krosfyre]

My chicks will be 4 weeks old in a few days, I wanted to start getting them used to their coop and I know they need to be confined to the coop for at least 4 days before letting them free range, but I am worried about the heat! Today I took them to their run for some outside time and quickly they seemed too hot. All are pretty well feathered accept one chick is pretty far behind the rest and (s)he seemed to really be struggling with the heat, laying in the shade stretched out and panting with eyes closed, so I brought them inside, back to the brooder. I took the thermometer out to the coop and put the second sensor out into the run. Inside the coop was staying around 92-95 and the outside run was just over 100 degrees and ground surface was even hotter. Inside my house it been staying about 80 night and day. I worry that its a large temp jump but the longer I wait the hotter its going to get. Should I wait until they are all feathered to go out? and what is the best way to help them get used to the summer heat?



As you can see the faverolles is quite behind the rest in feathering, not sure it safe yet to be out doors full time?

here are some pictures of the coop/shed and run. shed is not insulated has ventilation under upper and lower roof eves, and the windows do open for grater air flow

East facing (above) south facing (below)


entry to coop from inside shed with additional ventilation in to the shed

inside view of east and south wall

south and west side of coop


Thank you for your help and advice

 

[ChickyChicky327]

*bump*

I have the same question. We took ours out today and they overheated too. How do we get them from being air-conditioned chickens to being outdoorsy chickens?

 

[nuttyboo]

You can freeze plastic vinegar/pop bottles place around inside coop they will lie near them. Also a fan reversed in the window sucking the heat out can help if you have access to electrical. Place some shade boards out in the yard as we'll as water. If you notice the chicks getting over heated you can put them in a wash tub of cool not cold water will help bring down their temps

 

[krosfyre]

Thanks so much! I will give all those a try