Well we've been having unusually warm weather this year. We've already reached the 90s for three days since April. Crazy! So it's already got me thinking and trying a couple of heat management techniques.
My first idea was large ziplocks bags of water, frozen, and placed in the run for them to lay near. The 8 weeks olds liked it, but the older flock just waited for it to melt, ripped the bag, and left it alone.
My second, and most recent (tried it today), idea was to get a cat litter pan (just the bottom, no top) and fill it with water for them to wade in. I found the suggestion on an old post here, and figured I should give it a try. I put the pan in the run for the big birds, and they were just wary of it. I finally decided to stop waiting when we hit 85 this afternoon and my girls we panting and just looking uncomfortable. I got my EE hen and put her in the water. She sat there for 30 seconds then hopped up and left. Then in went my BR hen. She liked it more but only stayed in the water for a minute or so. I figured that was a good first attempt.
I went about my day for an hour or so. I went back to check on them, and they were all panting. So I stared again with my EE. This time she laid there for almost 5 minutes. After I put her in, she shifted to get a little bit more comfortable and just looked like she was loving it. Then it was the BR's turn again. I put her in and she instantly relaxed in the water. She laid over on her side like she does when she's dust bathing. Then she proceeded to fall asleep. She didn't get out of the water for 15 minutes. It must have felt soooooo good.
My two silkies didn't seem to enjoy the water, but it did stop their panting right away. And both my RIR and BR roosters stayed in the water for a minute or two, and it stopped both of their panting as well. So this is definitely a great way to combat heat!
For those of you in warmer climates I would absolutely love it if you would share how you manage heat situations!
My first idea was large ziplocks bags of water, frozen, and placed in the run for them to lay near. The 8 weeks olds liked it, but the older flock just waited for it to melt, ripped the bag, and left it alone.
My second, and most recent (tried it today), idea was to get a cat litter pan (just the bottom, no top) and fill it with water for them to wade in. I found the suggestion on an old post here, and figured I should give it a try. I put the pan in the run for the big birds, and they were just wary of it. I finally decided to stop waiting when we hit 85 this afternoon and my girls we panting and just looking uncomfortable. I got my EE hen and put her in the water. She sat there for 30 seconds then hopped up and left. Then in went my BR hen. She liked it more but only stayed in the water for a minute or so. I figured that was a good first attempt.
I went about my day for an hour or so. I went back to check on them, and they were all panting. So I stared again with my EE. This time she laid there for almost 5 minutes. After I put her in, she shifted to get a little bit more comfortable and just looked like she was loving it. Then it was the BR's turn again. I put her in and she instantly relaxed in the water. She laid over on her side like she does when she's dust bathing. Then she proceeded to fall asleep. She didn't get out of the water for 15 minutes. It must have felt soooooo good.
My two silkies didn't seem to enjoy the water, but it did stop their panting right away. And both my RIR and BR roosters stayed in the water for a minute or two, and it stopped both of their panting as well. So this is definitely a great way to combat heat!
For those of you in warmer climates I would absolutely love it if you would share how you manage heat situations!
