Keeping the Girls Cool in 90s & 100s temperature...?

[aart]

To me, many of these ideas seem very complicated for a problem that can be solved by providing decent shade.

Not everyone has the 'forest' foliage that you do....and you mentioned that shade cloths can actually hold the heat.

 

[Shadrach]

Not everyone has the 'forest' foliage that you do....and you mentioned that shade cloths can actually hold the heat.

This is true aart but most people can collect a few branches, or construct a tier shade system that allows air to flow through the layers. Even insulation batts ( rectangular sheets used in house construction work well if the brain is engaged as how to distribute and fix them. None of this is rocket science but it seems there is a tendency to go for the most complex solution possible, air conditioning, fans, mister systems etc etc.
It's the principle aart rather than the material. You could make something suitable with bits of scrap cloth and some sticks.
My environment is not that much different from many here. Some bang on like I live on another planet.

 

[jherrera59]

You’ve got a nice setup with plenty of airflow and that’s important. I live in the Arizona desert and it’s going to be 114 today Our run is in a large L shape and we have misters strung across each section and our girls love it! We have a small baby pool and several trays filled with water and they stand in those all the time. We give our girls same treats you give and I think watermelon is their fave! You can put a fan in the coop but yours is so open you probably don’t need it. Our girls are only 6 months, all 18 are laying and we usually get about a dozen eggs/day and 15/16 is not unusual even in this heat! They’re amazing. I think shade is the most important thing but I would definitely add a mister for those days that are 90+ degrees. Good luck!

 

[aart]

most people can collect a few branches,

.....that would be dead dry leaves on the ground and bare branches above within a week.

or construct a tier shade system that allows air to flow through the layers.

Gee, sounds like a "complex system".

My environment is not that much different from many here.

It's different than many others, as is your keeping techniques.

Some bang on like I live on another planet.

Sometimes I think you do....
..at least your own little world where everyone should live just like you do.

 

[Shadrach]

.....that would be dead dry leaves on the ground and bare branches above within a week.

Gee, sounds like a "complex system".

It's different than many others, as is your keeping techniques.


Sometimes I think you do....
..at least your own little world where everyone should live just like you do.

Having a bad day are we aart.
Never mind sweetheart, tomorrow is another day.

 

[aart]

Having a bad day are we aart.

Not at all.

 

[Ponte]

To me, many of these ideas seem very complicated for a problem that can be solved by providing decent shade

I completely agree.
Instincts, animal intelligence will guide all animals to protect themselves. Give them a few shaded areas and they will protect themselves from the heat.

We have around twenty trees in our backyard, the chickens fly from shaded area to shaded area.

They say it feels like 107, few days ago they reported that it felt like 111. The chickens have had no issues, no panting, nothing. My chicken knowledge is extremely limited but I believe that shade and multiple water cans is the answer to heat, at least it is for us.

 

[Peepsi]

.....that would be dead dry leaves on the ground and bare branches above within a week.

Gee, sounds like a "complex system".

It's different than many others, as is your keeping techniques.


Sometimes I think you do....
..at least your own little world where everyone should live just like you do.

Thank you, aart. Although, I think he lives on earth. Living in Utah like I do, is like being on another planet, in more ways than one!

 

[Larry Rose]

Oh thank you so much!!!

I give them chilled blueberries but not frozen...I have thought about freezing my fruit other than the watermelon I mentioned thinking it would cool their core temperature and give a little bit more water that frozen bits can provide. Do you think a hose that is attached to a misting unit is a good idea?

A hose is fine. Buy a new "White Hose". If you can't find a White one, go to a Camper supply store. Inspect it daily for chafes and bruises. Make sure Mice haven't chewed on it. ~I give mine Frozen Corn on very hot days. Keeps them busy, and cool. Ice in their water is good too. Good luck with your "Girls".

 

[luvz6chx]

That is good to know...about the delayed laying...should I keep them on grower feed until the first egg arrives then switch to layer feed?

Before my girls turned 18 weeks old, I started changing their feed from Start& Grow to Layena. I mixed batches. 1part Layena, 3 parts Start&Grow, then 2 parts each, then 3 parts Layena to 1 part S&G, then then all S&G. Each mixture was given for 2 days.