How to manage heat when you are away from chickens for a week.

[Riverbend Farms]

I am going away from my girls for 8 days, and on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday it will be 99F and above (Thursday being about 107 and Friday being 113F, but will get back when it is about 104F) My friend is taking care of my birds, and they will be giving cold and frozen treats like watermelon and grapes and fresh water and electrolytes, is there anything else we could do to make the hens cooler? Because some of my birds (My bantams and a couple large fowl) are not great with heat and I need them to survive this. Anything like should we put tubs of water around the yard, putting ice cubes In water, etc? I need ideas!

 

[DotToDot]

Ice cubes are good, so are electrolyes, watermelon, and grapes. Making sure they have a dust bathing area is great as well. So is lots of shade and ventilation in their coop. If you’re using the deep litter method, you should probably stop during the summer.