Idea for keeping chickens COOL in outrageous HEAT!! Update w/ PICTURE!

[WriterofWords]

I'm going to try something similar tomorrow since it will be over 104 here. I think one of the biggest difference's is my heat is very dry, the humidity was up today so it was 8%, but compared to you guys that's nothing.

 

[SpottedCrow]

If you've noticed your birds...they're panting which helps and they're holding their wings out, but also...look closely at combs and wattles...you can see the veins in them...they've expanded so that the heat will flow away...and their feet get very warm so dipping their feet in cool water will help too.

 

[masschix]

Spotted Crow wrote:
If you've noticed your birds...they're panting which helps and they're holding their wings out, but also...look closely at combs and wattles...you can see the veins in them...they've expanded so that the heat will flow away...and their feet get very warm so dipping their feet in cool water will help too.

Thanks for the information. My hens were doing the wing thing today and I was getting worried that they were too hot. I think I might add a small pool of water for them to wade in tomorrow. Thanks again!​

 

[arwmommy]

Will your chickens wade in water? Mine won't... I wish they did!

 

[lengel]

That's great! I put frozen water bottles near the vents on our AC units to absorb the exhaust heat. I can't believe that I didn't think of that for the birds!

 

[Crazy4Chicks]

hmmm I am going to have to give it a try I have mostly cochins/brahmas of both standard and banty sized so they are covered head to feet in feathers LOL

we had a few days where it was 102 - I normally get the hose and wet down the run to make the dirt cool and my chickens LOVE to splash around in mud puddles which makes the feet feathering look awful but oh well they are happy and cool

I will look around the house and see how many of the items I already have here and make an A/C for them - wish this would work for my boxers ( they would just eat the ice packs)

 

[lengel]

Quote:
Your boxers, my labs. What's the deal with that??

 

[shmooborp]

chickens canot sweat. they pant like a dog, and hold thier wings out for 2 reasons.. reason one is to release exses body heat.. and reason 2 is to colect condensation on the underside of the wing and then flap their wings and make it "rain" likea mini sprinkler for a second to cool themselves down . so giving them ice packs is a HUGE bonus. it prevides shade

coolness

and a bit of wetness from the ice melting and condonsation building around the area .

all three things birds love on a hot day. make sure they have plenty of clean COLD water to drink.. cuz hours of hot sun will make the water turn hot like bath water.. yuck. sry for the long post...

hope i could help

i also give my chickens watermelon.. its very watery.. big +.. and a goood treat that is cold.

 

[ibpboo]

I like the idea, it will work for bunnies too, in something they won't chew on of course!

 

[hcammack]

well tommarow morning my mom will be wondering where the ice packs went

thanks for this I just wish I had a few more trash cans !