Nevadans?

[Knemeyer]

SunnyDawn-so sorry about your loss. I don't want to even think about losing my first chicken. That's a good idea freezing the berries. I just planted to blackberry bushes in my garden that line one wall of the run. Hopefully they will really spread out and cover that fence to give them shade from the afternoon sun along with the grapes.

Horsefeatherz-I have the same problem about lack of trees. My whole backyard is caliche so putting in trees would probably be futile. I might try dwarfs in planters later on. I love the idea of watering the sand because I was worried the sand might get too hot at times.

Bloomie-love the horseshoe handles!

When you all mention what you do in the heat, you might think it's no big deal, but probably to a lot of us newbies, it's a big aha! moment. So please don't feel silly mentioning it. So far I've learned that watermelons are a good source of electrolytes (good for us too!), frozen water jugs , watering down the run and misters are a good ideas. Thanks for the helpful ideas.

 

[Penturner]

Hello all, Looks like things are still hopping with all the Nevada Folks. Sorry about your chicken Sunny. I think we got lucky and do have shade around our birds. they have not been doing to bad. A little panting and we have to make sure the water does not get hot but I have been busy today telling everyone ways to keep them cool. This thread has been helpful for that. wet sand ice in their water, frozen berries and if needed hose em down lol. The youngest chicks seem to be scared of the wind though and want to huddle.

I will not be around much the next couple of days. I will be at Renown with my mother who is having surgery. Any prayers and such are appreciated.

 

[Echetino]

Prayers are with you and your family, Penturner.

Love the coop Bloomie.

 

[Peep_Show]

Penturner,

Sending your mother a bushel of prayers and good wishes for an uber-speedy recovery.... and a special prayer your way to help ease the unavoidable anxiety.
Namaste (if you're into that...I just got back from the S.F. Bay Area and my Berkeley friends have utterly pilates/yoga-fied). Have a safe journey and be well.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Penturner - the bestest thought for your mom

Bloomie - that looks like a very nice coop, my chickens are packing their bags

Echetino - insulation is a fantastic idea - warmer in winter and cooler in summer - I know my birds wish I would do it; but you do need to cover like Sunny says - chickens will peck/taste everything.

Knemeyer - wetting sand, frozen water jugs, frozen berries/veggies and lots of shade area is how my birds get thru the heat and changing their water 3 to 4 times a day - course my yard looks like Sanford n Son with all the "shade" areas I have made - but it is all for the good of the birds

 

[SunnyDawn]

Bloomie, love that coop! It got up to 100 here where I'm at and I wouldn't worry if I hadn't gotten these super fluffy gals that don't take the heat as well (but they handle the winter sooo well) plus the baby ameraucanas were having a harder time with it, panting up a storm by the time it hit 85. Some of them have thick beards and muffs and the silvers especially (still have 2 boys) have very thick luxurious muffs, that again will keep them very warm when winter comes, so I do try to keep them as cool as possible.
If your average temps are close to 100 degrees or more, for most of the summer, I would advise against these fluffier breeds, including Orps.

They are so cute though! According to my Vet, yes, when it gets toward 90 degrees it is a good idea to add some ice to their water or put some frozen water jugs in the run.

Penturner, sending lots of good wishes and positive energy for a quick recovery to your Mom. Hope everything goes smoothly for her!

Thanks everybody for the sympathy. I did need to get rid of a couple more chickens but I sure wasn't planning on doing it that way.

I have decided to order a few more Ameraucanas at the end of this year (for spring of 2011) and since the minimum order is 25 that means I will have some to sell if anyone is interested. Not taking orders now, just putting it out there for future consideration.

Vegas folks how are you all holding up with all the fires to your east? I can't imagine that any haze from these fires would help with this heat. When we drove through Las Vegas yesterday it was pretty hazy.

 

[SunnyDawn]

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You crack me up Genny! Boy if you and Peep_Show ever get going at the same time I'm gonna sell tickets to this thread.

 

[Bloomie]

HorseFeatherz NV, yer chickers will need reservations, the hubbers got fair warnin' if he aint gunna play nice with others he'll be sleepin' in the coop with 27 females!

 

[SunnyDawn]

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[aubreynoramarie]

healing vibes to your mother, bloomie