How Well Do You Handle Heat-Stressed Hens?

[Rick589]

Well thank goodness I'm not the only one that does this! I call it their basement apartment. Usually only need it from 1-6PM on really brutal days, and I can tell the chickens appreciate it. They settle right down for a bite to eat, preen, and nap.

Me too! We have an air conditioned garage that the chickens can relax in should they get over heated. One of our BO’s seem to struggle more than the others.

 

[Laurasb65]

10 out of 10. .

 

[CabritaChicks]

I live in a hot climate. In the mornings, they forage- but you would be surprised how they move about- and sometimes find hot zones (IQ?).

By midday, I place a couple of ice cubes at the bottom of their fresh feeding bowl, add crumble on top, moisten it, and finish with fresh greens and a few finely chopped treats like papaya, banana or melon. By the time they reach the ice cubes, they’ve melted into cool water—much better than the 100°F water that would otherwise sit out and get hot.

They appreciate it. But some are more hard up than other breeds-

 

[Bsmac]

9 out of 10 If I would have thought a bit longer I would have aced it! I change water 3 to 4 times a day. I too stick my finger in it if its warm I change it. Sometimes I add ice cubes to their water too. I have an industrial fan I put at one end of the coop (raised) that will push air the whole 35 feet of the coop and run. Frozen corn or fruit in water. I feed their crumbles wet with cold water twice a day. Electrolytes in one or two drinkers. Worked fine again this summer!

 

[triciayoung]

I have a rescue with several disabled chickens. Some are in the house and only outside an hour a day. For all chickens, they go to air conditioning as soon as the "feels like" temp hits 90.

 

[2 Acres]

Actually I think JUST water. It does not have to be cool, it just has to be wet. And enough of it.

There is quite a difference in arid country and humid country. We are pretty dry here, and I think it makes it easier.

You didn't really touch on shade. And how shade moves during the day. I have a naturally shady run in the morning, but late afternoon, they are depending on man made shade.

Wet soil has worked well for me.

Yeah... After working 30 plus years in construction, I can tell you there is little difference between humid and dry heat.

Either sucks the moisture out of the body.
I'm still recovering from cyatica. It was the dry heat. I stopped sweating and caught it just in time

 

[2 Acres]

I live in a hot climate. In the mornings, they forage- but you would be surprised how they move about- and sometimes find hot zones (IQ?).

By midday, I place a couple of ice cubes at the bottom of their fresh feeding bowl, add crumble on top, moisten it, and finish with fresh greens and a few finely chopped treats like papaya, banana or melon. By the time they reach the ice cubes, they’ve melted into cool water—much better than the 100°F water that would otherwise sit out and get hot.

They appreciate it. But some are more hard up than other breeds-

Banana is is good when it's hot. Plus it replenishes potassium.

 

[CabritaChicks]

Banana is is good when it's hot. Plus it replenishes potassium.

Banana is good... but not a good utilized source. Better sources would be spinach and sweet potato (off the top of my head). I use cooked sweet potato. Remember tho= chicken are not mammals in the sense that they sweat the same- so they dont lose minerals the same way humans do. Just a googlable fact.

 

[2 Acres]

Banana is good... but not a good utilized source. Better sources would be spinach and sweet potato (off the top of my head). I use cooked sweet potato. Remember tho= chicken are not mammals in the sense that they sweat the same- so they dont lose minerals the same way humans do. Just a googlable fact.

I was talking about ME. And yes... they use misters in construction during heat waves. So I do know how chickens feel. Ugh...

 

[2 Acres]

I was talking about ME. And yes... they use misters in construction during heat waves. So I do know how chickens feel. Ugh...

I can tell you chickens love grapes too. On top of that, I have a couple hundred apples on the ground atm... We share everything.