Keeping them cooler for 5 hours max?

[KikiDeAnime]

As I'm the only one who actually takes care of the flock, I need to figure out what else to put out other than what I already did because I'll have 3 days where I'm gone up to 5 hours at work.
Most of them hang out underneath our apple trees for shade.

What I already have out:
-5 gallon waterer(with lots of ice)
-1 gallon waterer(with ice)
-A black rectangle-shaped tub thing for the ducks to swim in

We have 1 little bantam hen that's half silkie and half cochin so I'll definitely need to make sure she stays cool.

 

[NatJ]

What temperatures are you expecting?

I see your profile says you're in Washington State (WA). For the temperatures I think that state gets, I would expect them to be fine with shade and cool water to drink.

If there is a spot that stays shaded all day, just putting the water there might be enough. It might not need ice. I've had chickens in northern Virginia in the summer, and they did fine with some nice shady trees and waterers in several of the shady spots.

 

[3KillerBs]

What kind of temperatures are you looking at?

My chickens, who are acclimated to NC weather, have shade, weekly electrolytes, plenty of clean water, access to dirt to dig into, and no other interventions. They have been just fine with temperatures in the low-to-mid-90's in late May.

While some breeds are sensitive and need special care, chickens are, after all, livestock who have been bred to tolerate a large range of conditions and management styles.

 

[Brooks_]

weekly electrolytes

What is your recommendation for that? Would Gatorade work? (That already sounds dumb in my head...probably too much sugar.) Nutri-Drench?

 

[3KillerBs]

What is your recommendation for that? Would Gatorade work? (That already sounds dumb in my head...probably too much sugar.) Nutri-Drench?

On @aart's recommendation last summer, I use Sav-A-Chick. The sugar in Gatorade wouldn't be good for them (not to mention the dyes and such).

 

[3KillerBs]

P. S. Only once a week and, in my climate, only when it's over 90. My chickens are acclimated to heat so 90 is a cool day in the summer for us.

 

[KikiDeAnime]

What temperatures are you expecting?

I see your profile says you're in Washington State (WA). For the temperatures I think that state gets, I would expect them to be fine with shade and cool water to drink.

If there is a spot that stays shaded all day, just putting the water there might be enough. It might not need ice. I've had chickens in northern Virginia in the summer, and they did fine with some nice shady trees and waterers in several of the shady spots.

Sorry for the late response. Was out refilling the feeder.
Next week we're expecting high 70s to low 80s but we sometimes get higher temps than what is expected so I want to be prepared.

My work schedule is one that changes each week so I want to make sure I have stuff prepared.

 

[aart]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-extreme-weather-spiel.75893/

 

[Brooks_]

Sorry for the late response. Was out refilling the feeder.
Next week we're expecting high 70s to low 80s but we sometimes get higher temps than what is expected so I want to be prepared.

My work schedule is one that changes each week so I want to make sure I have stuff prepared.

If the temps have been slowly getting higher and not a sudden spike, I think shade and shaded water will suffice.

 

[3KillerBs]

Sorry for the late response. Was out refilling the feeder.
Next week we're expecting high 70s to low 80s but we sometimes get higher temps than what is expected so I want to be prepared.

My work schedule is one that changes each week so I want to make sure I have stuff prepared.

Those are the temps the last few days. Any cooler than that and my chickens will get their sweaters back out of storage.

Seriously, those are perfectly comfortable temperatures for just about any chicken -- as long as they have water and can get out of the sun.