Need advice on moving my flock to a warmer climate

[Bhapimama]

Hello everyone! I need some advice. Currently I live in Northern California near the Pacific Coast. I have four hens that are 18 mos old. In about a year, sometime next summer, I am planning to move to Redding, CA which is about 130 miles east of here. It might not seem that far but the summer climate is much, much hotter than here. The winters will be pretty similar but in about mid-May, the temperatures begin to climb and there will be many days that reach 110-ish. A hot day here on the coast is more like 80, and those are pretty rare. I love my girls and I want to take them with me so my questions are: 1. Is it possible for chickens to adjust to a warmer climate? And 2. Should I move them earlier in the spring to make it easier for them? .... Even though I will not be moving until sometime in the summer (I'm waiting for my youngest child to graduate high school and get settled in college), moving the chickens sooner is an option. My sister lives there and has two chickens of her own. So this option has the added complication of combining two flocks.
I'm hoping some of you out there have some experience with this kind of situation and have advice for me!

 

[True Patriot]

I've never run into this. I would presume that as long as they have adequate time to adjust to the climate they will be ok. A spring move before the heat would probably be best. This way it will be a more gradual change. I would take the heat into account with the design of their new home and incorporate as much shade and ventilation as you can.

 

[Bhapimama]

I've never run into this. I would presume that as long as they have adequate time to adjust to the climate they will be ok. A spring move before the heat would probably be best. This way it will be a more gradual change. I would take the heat into account with the design of their new home and incorporate as much shade and ventilation as you can.

This is what I'm thinking too. My sister free-ranges. She doesn't even close their door at night! And her chickens can get out to the road (she used to have three chickens ) She's been wanting to build a run so I made a deal that I would build a run, if my chickens could stay there until I get a place of my own. I'm thinking of building a decent-sized run and putting both hen houses in the run. There are some shady trees and shrubs that the run could incorporate. PS Your quote about failing to plan is very relevant to this thread, lol!

 

[True Patriot]

This is what I'm thinking too. My sister free-ranges. She doesn't even close their door at night! And her chickens can get out to the road (she used to have three chickens ) She's been wanting to build a run so I made a deal that I would build a run, if my chickens could stay there until I get a place of my own. I'm thinking of building a decent-sized run and putting both hen houses in the run. There are some shady trees and shrubs that the run could incorporate. PS Your quote about failing to plan is very relevant to this thread, lol!

The more room you give them the better they'll be. The minimum recommended is 10 sq ft per bird. From personal experience, that is nowhere near enough. Some flocks may get along well with it, mine didn't. Right now my run is 1000 sq ft (25x40) for 8 chickens. The fighting and other issues has been drastically reduced. Give them the most you can fit and afford.

I try to apply that quote to almost everything

 

[Bhapimama]

The more room you give them the better they'll be. The minimum recommended is 10 sq ft per bird. From personal experience, that is nowhere near enough. Some flocks may get along well with it, mine didn't. Right now my run is 1000 sq ft (25x40) for 8 chickens. The fighting and other issues has been drastically reduced. Give them the most you can fit and afford.

I try to apply that quote to almost everything

Ya my run is 25x15 but they get let out to roam our very large yard for at least several hours every day. I think we'll do the same thing at my sister's place .... Except I will make sure there's no escape routes from the yard.

 

[townchicks]

I would certainly try to get them there early if possible. When you build your run, set up a hose system so you can run a mister, that helps a lot on hot days. Make the run floor dirt so they can dig holes to cooler ground. Since you have time, and access to the property, you might want to plant some tall shrubs or even a tree, so it has more time to grow into shade height. Then more shade, the better.

 

[Bhapimama]

I would certainly try to get them there early if possible. When you build your run, set up a hose system so you can run a mister, that helps a lot on hot days. Make the run floor dirt so they can dig holes to cooler ground. Since you have time, and access to the property, you might want to plant some tall shrubs or even a tree, so it has more time to grow into shade height. Then more shade, the better.

Thanks for the advice .... There is a nice shady corner in the yard that we will take advantage of. The misters are a great idea too

 

[Mrs. K]

One of the big thing to look at is the shade and how it moves all day. Mine own is shady in the morning, but without added man made shade spots it would be mercilessly hot all afternoon. Be especially aware of the 4:00 pm time period. Most often the hottest part of the day.

As for moving earlier and acclimating, here is SD we frequently have 60 degree shifts in temperature in a day. Does not phase them.

For heat, one needs space, shade and water, and air movement. Damp spots are good too if you do not have humidity.

Mrs K

 

[Bhapimama]

One of the big thing to look at is the shade and how it moves all day. Mine own is shady in the morning, but without added man made shade spots it would be mercilessly hot all afternoon. Be especially aware of the 4:00 pm time period. Most often the hottest part of the day.

As for moving earlier and acclimating, here is SD we frequently have 60 degree shifts in temperature in a day. Does not phase them.

For heat, one needs space, shade and water, and air movement. Damp spots are good too if you do not have humidity.

Mrs K

Thank you - good advice, for sure!

 

[Ljc01]

That is a big temp change! We moved from Eureka 5 years ago, but landed in SLO.
I would move in spring, give them a chance to get use to the heat gradually.