It's Hot Out!

[DragonflyCourt]

Another idea if you're concerned, is every transition from inside to outside either needs to take advantage of temperature fluctiuatons--in the winter, you find a few days of very mild nights, and move them out then. You could either wait until you get the 90 degree highs, and move them then, or you could try taking them outside for a few hours earlier in the day, bringing them in for the heat of the day. Leave them out a bit longer in increments, giving them a few days getting used to gradually hotter temps. e.g., take them out tomorrow from 7 am till 10 am, for a few days, then from 7 am till noon, etc or whenever it gets to 85 degrees, then 90 degrees, etc.

I thought about that, and I like that idea! I'd feel better than if I just took them out and hoped for the best. The next few days are supposed to be in the 90's, thankfully. I'm probably going to do it this way. Thank you!

 

[DragonflyCourt]

It is hot here also, E. WA. I have boards leaning against the coop to take up the heat so that the sun doesn't just heat the coop directly.

Good idea!

 

[Tumbleweedlynn]

THANK YOU!! Sounds like your temps are similar to mine. I wanted to see if anyone else had put chicks out in this heat. My old gals are acclimated to it and I provide pools of water and tons of shade to help them stay cool, and they've been fine. Hot, but fine. I was worried about these babies because they're used to being in the house. I'm going to take them out tonight when it cools off and see how we fare. I'll give them a pool and I'll also wet the ground down like you suggested. I do that for my pigs too. Wish me luck!

Sounds like you have a good plan - they can be tough little things!

 

[igorsMistress]

Give them a little pan of cool water or a damp patch of dirt to cool off in. I’ve had chicks in similar heat and they did ok. The cool nights will give them a break. I gave my chicks a block of ice, just make some in an old cottage cheese container and plop in a shallow pan. They’ll play king of the mountain and sip the water as it melts. Also electrolytes once in a while are helpful.

 

[Tumbleweedlynn]

Give them a little pan of cool water or a damp patch of dirt to cool off in. I’ve had chicks in similar heat and they did ok. The cool nights will give them a break. I gave my chicks a block of ice, just make some in an old cottage cheese container and plop in a shallow pan. They’ll play king of the mountain and sip the water as it melts. Also electrolytes once in a while are helpful.

The ice thing is a great idea, my girls need some distraction from this heat!

 

[Redmogur]

Hi all. I have 6 - four week old chicks that have been in my office in a trough since Day 1. I have a huge trough set up in one of my empty coops to move these little ladies into - they have outgrown the one in my office, and I am ready to have a dust and scent free office again! My concern - high temps are right around 100-103 (106 yesterday though), sometimes down into the high 90's, over the next week. I'm sure those temps are here to stay for a bit. Lows at night are in the low 70's. The coop is covered and has one solid wall keeping it shaded all day long. The rest of the coop is rabbit wire, so any breeze can flow through and move the air around. My other option is my garage, but that is not cool and the air doesn't move at all, so I decided the coop was the best option. Thoughts? We don't have high humidity, and the heat is fairly dry. For the rest of my flock and my ducks, I have pools set out with water for them to cool off in when needed. Think these chicks will handle this heat okay if I provide them chick pools to wade in? Another aspect of my concern - my office stays fairly warm, but I do cool it off every now and then. I worry about moving them from my office temp out into the heat too fast. I was going to give it a try this evening when it cools off. Your experience is appreciated. Thank you!

We are using serving trays outside to use as waiting pools. They’re low enough for young ones to step in if the water gets too hot, because we are in Arizona and we’re having a record heat summer, we put ice packs in the wading pools. We also make chick sickles, can you freeze food containers with fruits, vegetables, meal worms, etc. different treats, and put the block of ice outside for them to peck at. We also have a small fan with a clamp that is rechargeable that we put in the coop on low for more circulation hope that helps!