It’s hot. 104!

[misshell]

It’s so hot outside right now. My chickens are pretty miserable laying under the bushes panting. I have a bowl of ice cubes out for them and they like pecking at it. One girl is sitting right next to the bowl to keep cool. It’s going to be over 100 for the next few days here. Will they be ok? Are there any signs I should be looking for if they are too hot?

 

[WallyG74]

Do what you’re already doing. Shade and fresh water.

 

[misshell]

Do what you’re already doing. Shade and fresh water.

Haha makes sense. I can’t imagine what they feel like underneath all those feathers right now.

 

[Rammy]

I freeze half litre bottles of water and put them in thier water bucket to keep the water cool. You can also freeze cool whip bowls of water and place fruit and vegetables in it then pop the frozen goodies out for them to peck at. Watermelon is good also to keep them hydrated.

 

[Folly's place]

Also cold or frozen fruit, and misting the area if it's dry. not so helpful in high humidity though. Damp ground, ice water, all that.
Mary

 

[BlueHorse17]

It’s so hot outside right now. My chickens are pretty miserable laying under the bushes panting. I have a bowl of ice cubes out for them and they like pecking at it. One girl is sitting right next to the bowl to keep cool. It’s going to be over 100 for the next few days here. Will they be ok? Are there any signs I should be looking for if they are too hot?

I would keep doing what you’re already doing. My pullets are going through the same thing right now. I have their water in the shade and I’ve also provided them with oyster shells in a separate dish as well. They also have space to dust bath if they want to too.

 

[Folly's place]

Snow country! Love it! Here it's been around 90F, and I can't deal with the heat!
Mary

 

[misshell]

I freeze half litre bottles of water and put them in thier water bucket to keep the water cool. You can also freeze cool whip bowls of water and place fruit and vegetables in it then pop the frozen goodies out for them to peck at. Watermelon is good also to keep them hydrated.

Thanks! Explains why they keep trying to jump over into the area where my watermelon plant is

 

[misshell]

Snow country! Love it! Here it's been around 90F, and I can't deal with the heat!
Mary

Yeah it’s no fun outside right now. It was supposed to be 108. Thankfully it didn’t reach that high.

 

[frostic]

try getting a garden mister. i just got one because here in cali its in the 100s
my 3 month old chickies do very well with the mister. it keeps them cool
in their run. also ice in their water helps alot. but don't give them corn while it is hot. corn can raise their temp more. feed them crumbles while its hot.