Keeping Birds Cool !?!?!?

[HenHaven]

Until you get trees and vines going, you can use shadecloth. I have used my shadecloth for 3 years now. It allows airflow, and really cuts down the temp inside the coop. My coop is an open style too because our summers are so hot. I cover it in plastic sheeting in the winter.

Shade, good airflow, and cool water will go a long way. All the suggestions are good ones, you just have to adapt them to your needs and climate. Good luck! Keem 'em cool!

 

[Barnyard Dawg]

We have alot of fruit trees they prefer the apples trees for their shade they seem content there.

 

[jjthink]

Mister - funny how not one person in Home Depot or Walmart had ever heard of such a thing. I ended up buying a flat hose that was called Mister and Soaker and hooked it up near the run and turned it on for some hours - everything gets really wet (and mold grows by the next day) but I'm not sure the air feels any cooler at all. I had so hoped! But maybe I got the wrong thing?
It's kind of like a sprinkler system but with a somewhat finer spray. Now maybe a mister with a fan blowing air through it.....(but not itself getting wet) ..hmmmmmm!!! My 2 are out and about roaming around seeking whatever spots they deem worthy. I even have a fan outdoors for them but they opted not to be by it. And it's hotter than he77 here. I do have lots of shade, both in the run and out. And fans in the coop. Ice water everywhere.
JJ

 

[pips&peeps]

Quote:
Dosen't this turn their run into a mud pit after a few hours??

No, it is a very fine mist. The dirt around it may get damp, but not muddy. I use one when it gets into the upper 80's and 90's.

They use a similar concept in AZ, NM, etc in outdoor public places for cooling.

You can put them on your run. My husband put mine together with pvc pipe and added a mister head every couple of feet.

ETA: Check out the link: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100006752&N=10000003+90094+501170

Hope it works, if not, cut and paste it into your browser.

 

[cajunlizz]

Quote:
we made sure to put our cages , RUN & Coop under huge pecan trees and its cool so far and plenty of shade

 

[Katy]

I've got a lot of trees that shade a lot of my pen areas, but where there isn't I use shade cloth like HenHaven. I like it better than tarps because it doesn't hold the rain and sag like a tarp does. In the winter I remove it, fold it up and then reuse the next summer. Some of mine is probably close to 5 years old and still fine.

I should add I also wet down a low area in the big run and they love to lay around in the damp ground.

 

[Dilly]

We have the run and coop in a shady location, added a mister for one side of the run, fan for the coop, but what our babies really love is the new sod we layed yesterday in the run. Just wet it down and they are set. Happy chickens, Happy me.

Plus it looks so pretty.

 

[cajunlizz]

Quote:
Try rigging up some type of TARP for shade . You can buy the really big ones at Home Depot , Lowe's or Harbor Freight . THEY have to have more shade and air flow . Its only June and going to get alot hotter . I live in South Louisiana and I know exactly what you mean about the heat and humidity . IF they are holding their wings UP , they are really really HOT , you have to do something ASAP or they will die from worse heat to come .

 

[Dixiedoodle]

As a temp. solution, You can cut pine limbs (or other limbs)and lay them on the run/ against the fence and it will add shade for your chickens. It's quick, easy and free.

 

[dixygirl]

http://www.asontv.com/automotive/auto-cool-solar-powered-fan.html?ref=gb&s_cid=104