I lost a dear silkie hen yesterday to the heat up in the coop and I am so sad. She went in to lay an egg, and she always tended to stay up there once she would go up, since she didn't really like using the ramp. I bought a cobra style mister stand and set it out there today, and my one remaining silkie girl (I am planning to get her another friend just as soon as I can get one) seems to love the mist. She isn't panting anymore but is all wet and muddy (took a dust/mud bath) and she just likes to stand around under it. Is there any reason that it's not wise to keep that mister on her area all afternoon every day in this 100+ heat? She can get away from it under the coop if she wants to, but her entire run is getting muddy and she is all wet. It seems to be cooling a little even inside the coop. Anyone else use a mister? Thanks, Kristy
I turn mine on anywhere from noon to 3 in the afternoon. then shut it off by 7:30 in the evening.. that gives them time to dry off before the sun sets .. never had one get chilled that way when the temps drop at night and the ground is still cool enough for them to be comfortable
so sorry for the loss of your hen! when it's hovering around 100, I always turn the misters on for the peeps. they can go in the coop to get out of the mist, and I also give mine the option of free ranging in the yard. (I'm a teacher, so I'm home in the summer.) they seem to love standing in the puddles, getting soggy feathers. I turn it off around dinnertime, and never see any drippy chicks at bedtime.
I got my mister from Home Depot. It is acutally a mister for a person but works for my girls even if they are terrified of it.
