Michigan

[NovaAman]

Nova - If they're nice sized trees you could try contacting saw mills over there and asking if any of their timber buyers do small loads. Depending on how small your yard is some buyers will take really small jobs that can be hauled on a gooseneck. They'd have to be able to get a skidder in there to cable the trees when they cut them and a loader to get them out though.

This is where I run into the problems... My drain field is in my front yard. The space between the coops and the propane tank is limited also. The only way in to the back with that type of equipment is through the side yard, and I have some ornamental trees that would end up damaged, OH, and the is also the power boxes for me and the neighbor. LOL.. HOWEVER, that is a good idea, and maybe they could figure something else out to get in and out and around? UGH!

SO, does anyone wanna have a tree cutting party? heehee. Do it on a Friday, and we can just have a big bonfire and a camp out in the back yard. Bet the coon won't come on that night. LOL

 

[Stacykins]

On hot days I sometimes pop some apples or other fruit in the freezer, and by the hotter parts of the day, they are frozen. The chickens then get this chilled treat! A temporary fix to the heat, but they sure do enjoy it! It is like ice cream for chickens. Access to ample shade and fresh water is essential, though.

I've also made some oatmeal, then frozen it as well. It takes them a while to eat their frozen oatmeal. I just make it in a plastic container so I can pop it out easily for them.

 

[NovaAman]

HOT WEEK AHEAD! Hottest since July 2011

Protect your chickens from dying in the heat. OLD TIMERS - do you have any tips you can give to the newcomers?

I am not an old timer... LOL, but frozen gallon water jugs hung in the coops at night. Hose off the coops with cold water... old kids sled in the shade filled with water for the chickens to stand in to cool off (my girls really like this), several watering holes, ALSO, take a 12oz bottle of water and freeze it, then put it in, bottle and all, in the water-er to help keep those cool, and this makes them reusable... Ummm... I think thats about all I do... OH I also hose down the brush area they like to hang out with cold water, its already pretty shady there so not worried about burning... This cools off the tree area that they hang out in... Wish I had a mister....

 

[Olive Hill]

Shade and water is plenty for most chickens. To keep the water cold all day you can cut the top off a few 2-liter bottles, fill with water and freeze. Pop the ice block out of the bottle in the morning, and put it inside their waterer. And the number one recommendation: If you can free-range, do. Given the opportunity they will find the best places to ride out the heat. There is no substitution for allowing them to do what they need to do.

CX are more susceptible to heat than other chickens. Giving them a fan can be a good idea, even better if you can zip tie a hose with a sprayer set to mist to the fan so that they're getting cooled both by the air and mist.

 

[Olive Hill]

This is where I run into the problems... My drain field is in my front yard. The space between the coops and the propane tank is limited also. The only way in to the back with that type of equipment is through the side yard, and I have some ornamental trees that would end up damaged, OH, and the is also the power boxes for me and the neighbor. LOL.. HOWEVER, that is a good idea, and maybe they could figure something else out to get in and out and around? UGH!

SO, does anyone wanna have a tree cutting party? heehee. Do it on a Friday, and we can just have a big bonfire and a camp out in the back yard. Bet the coon won't come on that night. LOL

Hate to say it, but it sounds like you'll have to pay a tree cutting company to come in.

 

[NovaAman]

I know... Boohoo. Lol.

 

[Olive Hill]

Just think of all the veggies you'll have once it's done though. Unless of course you're plagued with voles. Those little children-born-out-of-wedlock are destructive! Worked on replanting today. Found so much hollow ground under the beans I was reluctant to even bother re-planting. If they come back I'm blowing the whole thing up. C4, here I come!

 

[NovaAman]

No, my problem is moles!

have a nice night all.

 

[Mom 2em All]

CX are more susceptible to heat than other chickens. Giving them a fan can be a good idea, even better if you can zip tie a hose with a sprayer set to mist to the fan so that they're getting cooled both by the air and mist.

thats what I have done- they all really seem to appreciate ? that. I am somewhat expecting my Chimis to not be alive when I come home from work, and am surprised when I come home and they are.

I am going to work today. Hubby is on his own. Well, not really the girls will be in and out- one of them has to work today, as well. So pretty much on his own. He is doing really well, so he should be fine. He has a follow-up appointment tomorrow. I changed his bandage yesterday, and the incisions look really good. No swelling either, so he will be okay.

No crazy dream last night- FINALLY. I couldnt get comfortable and didnt sleep as well as I had for the past two nights, though.

 

[Opa]

Go ahead take this cup and I'll get myself another cup. Looks like we have a warm week ahead but if the forecast holds it will only be 75 on Saturday.