U_Stormcrow
Crossing the Road
@Random Fluffy Chicken I'm in North FL Panhandle. Don't get the thermometer readings of our friends in AZ or west TX, but I do have high humidity - 95% humid, 90-some degrees isn't uncommon, and we are already at 90+ degrees daily. Offering this experience in case its closer to your own climate in Southern CA.
First, its absolutely true that chickens do much better in the cold than the heat. Lots of shade, tons of ventilation, multiple waterers, and places your chickens can dustbathe in the shade (even an inch down, the ground is much cooler than the surrounding air - all that ground contact makes for a massive heat sink to help your birds cool off). You can also select birds better suited to the climate - look for prominent combs, clean legs, moderate feather densities (my Dark Brahma were a very poor choice for me, nut with care, they tolerate it. So does my remaining CornishX, a breed not famed for its health. All are over a year old now and doing fine).
If you go the fan route, you might also consider a small solar cell connected to a series of sealed or sleeve bearing CPU case fans - they are moderately inexpensive, move a ton of air, there is no fire hazard, and no need to run power to your coop. Avoiding the electrician, the permit requirements, and the tax man. They are also designed for dusty environments (but should still be located under an eave or other sheltered location, blowing air in).
The biggest problem with case cans is that they move too much air, in too small a space, which creates drafts - so be sure to keep them aimed above your chickens or otherwise disperse the airflow. A single 200mm case fan rated at 70+cfm can turn all the air in an 8x8 coop, 8' tall 8 times an hour at top speeds.
Solar powered roof exhaust fans are also a possibility - though ugly, expensive, difficult to repair, and designed for much greater air volumes than all but the largest of coops.
First, its absolutely true that chickens do much better in the cold than the heat. Lots of shade, tons of ventilation, multiple waterers, and places your chickens can dustbathe in the shade (even an inch down, the ground is much cooler than the surrounding air - all that ground contact makes for a massive heat sink to help your birds cool off). You can also select birds better suited to the climate - look for prominent combs, clean legs, moderate feather densities (my Dark Brahma were a very poor choice for me, nut with care, they tolerate it. So does my remaining CornishX, a breed not famed for its health. All are over a year old now and doing fine).
If you go the fan route, you might also consider a small solar cell connected to a series of sealed or sleeve bearing CPU case fans - they are moderately inexpensive, move a ton of air, there is no fire hazard, and no need to run power to your coop. Avoiding the electrician, the permit requirements, and the tax man. They are also designed for dusty environments (but should still be located under an eave or other sheltered location, blowing air in).
The biggest problem with case cans is that they move too much air, in too small a space, which creates drafts - so be sure to keep them aimed above your chickens or otherwise disperse the airflow. A single 200mm case fan rated at 70+cfm can turn all the air in an 8x8 coop, 8' tall 8 times an hour at top speeds.
Solar powered roof exhaust fans are also a possibility - though ugly, expensive, difficult to repair, and designed for much greater air volumes than all but the largest of coops.
Where I live, we turned on the air conditioner for almost a full week last summer. Global warming I guess.... Chickens did OK though.
