Introducing chickens to coop/yard but heatwave coming??

[Heathermbm]

So I was planning on putting my chickens in their coop from the brooder (that is in my house), they are very much ready to go out but it won’t be secure if I leave the doors open (I have a screen door but a raccoon could super easily get through it, we are working on the yard/run around the coop that would keep the predators out. I have windows, vents, and a fan in the coop (not including the screen door).

My question is would it be safer to just keep them in the house an extra week?

Picture of the heat index for the weekend/early next week and the chickens field trip outside.

 

[Three Little Bunnies]

So I was planning on putting my chickens in their coop from the brooder (that is in my house), they are very much ready to go out but it won’t be secure if I leave the doors open (I have a screen door but a raccoon could super easily get through it, we are working on the yard/run around the coop that would keep the predators out. I have windows, vents, and a fan in the coop (not including the screen door).

My question is would it be safer to just keep them in the house an extra week?

Picture of the heat index for the weekend/early next week and the chickens field trip outside.

It is almost always safer to have them inside. If you feel more comfortable, by all means, go ahead!

 

[AltonaAcres]

You should put them outside. They are probably not very happy in your house at their age, and they won't be that hot if they have shade and plenty of water.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

What breeds? Many are more heat tolerant than others.
Those numbers are the heat index, not the temperature.
Give them substantial shade and foot baths, they'll be fine.
However, the ventilation in your building is concerning. 80% of coops don't have enough. Sounds like you are going to have to button up the openings to keep it predator proof. It doesn't matter how much ventilation there is during the day, when it is closed up at night, they don't have ventilation.

 

[Heathermbm]

We have two black australorps and two leghorns. There are two big-ish windows with hardware cloth on them and vents on both sides of the window with a similar look (but sturdier) to the hardware cloth. And there is a fan in one of the windows. If we don’t finish the outside before we put them out we will need to shut the big doors. But I’ve stood in there with the doors closed and there is a good breeze that goes through without the fan (fan definitely helps on those still days).

I didn’t even think about the difference in the index vs real temperature. I can definitely put some foot baths out. And we have a tarp up for shade right now. Going to eventually put a more permanent thing in.

 

[Heathermbm]

You should put them outside. They are probably not very happy in your house at their age, and they won't be that hot if they have shade and plenty of water.

That’s a true story. They all hop up on the edge of the brooder every time I open it and the australorps are starting to try to escape and explore the room. I think we will put them out and just give them all the stuff to keep cool and just usher them inside the coop at night.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

A fan is a great practice. I have several coops. One started as a garden shed and only has one window and a ridge vent. I keep a box fan on the window sill blowing in year round.
Start planting some trees so you don't have to rely on tarps and shade cloth for sun protection. Most of my property is big trees and brush.

 

[Heathermbm]

We are planning to plant some stuff in the fall, right now anything new would just be cooked. I want to replace the tarp with a sail cloth by next spring, hopefully the tarp will keep till then.

 

[aart]

Post some pics of your coop and run.
Have they been in an air conditioned house 24/7?
The heat could be a shock, but I'd get them outside sooner rather than later.


Deep all day shade is best but....I don't have much of that.
This has worked very well to keep heat stress/stroke at bay:

I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves.
It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.
Can mix up a smaller amount, just wrap the packet tight and store in a dry cool place.
Always have plain water available too.

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice, no water added, last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.
Much more useful to the chickens than frozen foods and treats.

Make space in your freezer!

 

[Heathermbm]

Thank you! That’s all great to know. I’ll go make some ice things now and hopefully it will be good to go when we are ready to put them out. I attached pictures, they aren’t the best angles. There is shade (I’m sitting under it for one picture so you can see it), I have to figure out shade for the other side of the run—maybe just some pallets raised up for now. The coop has the windows (which we will add something to cover them when winter comes) and the two vents on each side, one window with the fan. And then the screen door thing that the metal doors close over.