Losing another hen to this awful heat

[Robin'sBrood]

I'm sorry to read of your losses, Gritsar.

I lost my 2 year old Silver Lakenvelder hen, Tiny, to this blasted heat wave yesterday.

Today I made my broody hen get off her eggs and go out in the run (I'd rather save her life than have more chicks) and closed the door to the coop enough so she can't get back inside. I doused the chickens down with the water hose and sprayed the dirt in their shady areas, hoping it will cool them down some. I have 2 big umbrellas in the run, trying to give them extra shade. I have a kiddie pool but with 3 little chicks in the run I'm afraid to put it in for them. Any other ideas??

 

[redhen]

How are your birdies doing today, Grits?

 

[Poppafrog]

Robin'sBrood :

I'm sorry to read of your losses, Gritsar.

I lost my 2 year old Silver Lakenvelder hen, Tiny, to this blasted heat wave yesterday.

Today I made my broody hen get off her eggs and go out in the run (I'd rather save her life than have more chicks) and closed the door to the coop enough so she can't get back inside. I doused the chickens down with the water hose and sprayed the dirt in their shady areas, hoping it will cool them down some. I have 2 big umbrellas in the run, trying to give them extra shade. I have a kiddie pool but with 3 little chicks in the run I'm afraid to put it in for them. Any other ideas??

I know some people use a water sprinkler to spray on their run.,​

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Everybody seems to be doing okay, including the last remaining SF.

It may be wasting water but the brahma girls still have their hose spraying a fine mist. They are always in the mud puddle it creates. Their water comes from the rural water supply, so it does raise the bill a bit.

The younger flock has their own hose misting, but from one of the deep wells. The brahmas wouldn't share.

I have to go out into the inferno in a few and return the young polish to her flock. She got confused and distracted and couldn't find her flock so she's hanging out in the brahma yard. I so need to give her another haircut.

Thanks y'all.

 

[Inkheart]

I have to say as much as io have been saying sorry to everyone else! GRrr as much as i have taken precautions i lost my oldest sweetest hen yesterday- a wonderful Buff Cochin - lots of water - frozen treats and so forth. They were all under the shade trees and came running when they saw me - and she did not. Has to be the heat - i saw no other signs of illness and she had been fine tho i had noticed she was struggling in the heat.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I'm sorry Inky

Yes, like yours my chickens are getting every possible consideration in this heat but sometimes it's just not enough. Mine have the fresh water, pools of water to stand in, in the heavy shade of the woods, but not much you can do when temps. hit the triple digits. With the humidity climbing every evening, they never get a break to cool down.

 

[Inkheart]

Quote:
I'm sorry Inky

Yes, like yours my chickens are getting every possible consideration in this heat but sometimes it's just not enough. Mine have the fresh water, pools of water to stand in, in the heavy shade of the woods, but not much you can do when temps. hit the triple digits. With the humidity climbing every evening, they never get a break to cool down.

Thank you - i was like i am gonna be ok and now that happened. I am thinking with the heat and her age - it proved too much. She looked peaceful so that makes me feel a BIT better.
There is another one that just wasnt looking good so is sectioned off with fans on it and so forth - keep your fingers crossed! I half considered calling off work to stay home and make sure they were ok!

 

[SilkieChickenLover336]

To keep my chickens cool:

Place ice packs/frozen water bottles/anything cold in a garbage can and put the garbage can in the coop on its side. This acts like a really cold room and it feels really nice!! place water in it to so that it will encourage them to drink

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I'm sorry Inky

Yes, like yours my chickens are getting every possible consideration in this heat but sometimes it's just not enough. Mine have the fresh water, pools of water to stand in, in the heavy shade of the woods, but not much you can do when temps. hit the triple digits. With the humidity climbing every evening, they never get a break to cool down.

Thank you - i was like i am gonna be ok and now that happened. I am thinking with the heat and her age - it proved too much. She looked peaceful so that makes me feel a BIT better.
There is another one that just wasnt looking good so is sectioned off with fans on it and so forth - keep your fingers crossed! I half considered calling off work to stay home and make sure they were ok!

 

[Coffeemama7]

I got my new batch of chicks July 11, in the middle of this horid heat. I did not anticipate the losses I had! Sometimes 1 or 2 a day/ lost down by 7.
They are in old plastic horse water troughs in my garage, with icy water, cob bedding, and a fan. I open my house door into the garage and blow the air conditioned air at them for 5 minutes every hour. They just pant and SWEAT! Poor babies! I am freezing some blocks of ice, that is a great idea! Thanks to everyone who posts ideas! I would pick THIS summer to start raisin chicks! Arg.



Quote: