I did a mock setup using my Mama Cave wire dish drainer...
I put 2 ceramic tiles inside...these will absorb heat when the chicks are out, and will give off radiant heat when they return.
I left the thermometer in for 1.1/2 hrs...it measured 94deg inside.
The tiles were placed upside down so the chicks wouldn't do the splits on the shiny surface
There's no way the chicks would be able to get thru' the slots, as was suggested...the bungee cord holds everything tight , and there's no room to get behind.
The cave will be resting on pine shavings, so the chicks should be 'snug as a bug in a rug'
brilliant about the tiles. I am considering doing a tile nest box for the heat here.... Ceramic on the rough side is pretty water absorbant.... do a mist or water drip every so often and while the tile dries it chills down...
You are in the Mojave Desert... I am in a small portion of the Sonoroan Desert Mine is probably a bit cooler in general... But we both have similar situations... extreme heat....
I was thinking of using a Chiminea for a nest box but they are too expensive...
deb