Keeping cool while on vacation?

[robinwhiskers]

We'll be on vacation for 2 weeks later this month, and I'm worried about keeping the chickens cool. They have a coop and run and the coop has a big door that I keep open so there's lots of ventilation (they lay their eggs in there and sleep in there) and a small separate part of the coop where the rooster lives. Here in Georgia it's gotten as high as 95 degrees during the day. They're used to lots of attention and I often give them iced water with fruit in it and such to keep them cool. We'll have someone coming by once a day to feed and water the birds, but do you think the birds will overheat? They are 1 year old Orpingtons, Barred Rocks, and Easter Eggers. I've heard of birds getting too hot in nesting boxes too. I hope their routine of me being in there with them all the time being broken won't stress them, because if it did it might make them being in the heat worse. Should they be fine without any extra measures to keep them cool?

 

[snow5164]

You can’t get someone to house sit? My daughters done that a few times, I wouldn’t be comfortable with a once a day check in, but I’ve heard horror stories on here.

Give them another waterer and more feeders , a cat litter box full of fresh water ,

Make a very detailed list for caregivers, and pay them well so they are motivated to do a good job,
good luck

 

[robinwhiskers]

Yep we just have someone coming once a day so if there's something I can put in there before we leave that can help cool them for the whole two weeks it would be better. Any ideas? Would a tub of water be a good idea?

 

[rosemarythyme]

A large shallow pan of water might help (preferably in a shady spot) so they can soak their feet to help cool off. It should be low enough that they can easily walk or climb out of if needed. Ask the chicken sitter to refill it every day.

 

[robinwhiskers]

I might be able to put something in there for them to stand in. If that would be too difficult for the pet sitter (I think they used to have chickens but it probably would be the level where they are livestock and not reallly pets) do you think they'd be fine? On the morning of us leaving I'd probably put some watermelon or something else cooling in there. Also it might not work but probably will, but we do have a camera in there just for fun to check on the birds from my phone, it isn't the best camera but it might still be helpful to make sure no one looks like they're in lots of distress. I get nervous they'll have symptoms related to stress or boredom because I give them things to keep them busy and I'm in there a lot, one of the chickens I usually train for about a half hour a day because I've taught her lots of tricks, hopefully it will be ok...we left them when they were younger but they weren't so spoiled at the time (lol) and it wasn't quite as hot.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Is there a hose that can reach as far as the run area? I would ask them to blast some water into the pan each morning. That should be simple enough.

If there's no hose then yes that might be tougher, depending on how far water might have to be carried.

 

[robinwhiskers]

Yeah the hose can't reach there, it's a little of a walk away where you'd take the waterer.

 

[aart]

Make a very detailed list for caregivers, and pay them well so they are motivated to do a good job,

This^^^

A large shallow pan

with a huge chunk of ice put in it every morning. I've started doing this ice lasts all day, they wade, stand, sit, and sip as the ice melts. Maybe make ice blocks before you leave. Does sitter have access to your freezer? Pan will need to be at least dumped or ideally rinsed every day.

Long vacations and keeping chickens don't mix very well, unless you've an experienced and nearby chicken keeper to monitor things. Once a day is doable, but twice would be better.

I can put in there before we leave that can help cool them for the whole two weeks it would be better.

An air conditioner? Sorry, nothing else lasts 2 weeks for keeping birds cool.

Is the coop, and run(?), have good deep, all day shade?

 

[robinwhiskers]

It has some sunny spots but it has plenty of shade.

 

[PachecoPeeps]

You can always freeze 2 liter bottles of water or gallon jugs and ask the sitter to put them in the pan of water or in the run so the chickens can lean on them and cool off. You could also freeze water bottles to be put in their regular water. You would just need your sitter to rotate out the bottles every day.