Nevadans?

[sherylreno]

I'm watching them closely. Wilma and Betty were panting yesterday too, all the other birds are used to it. Betty went into the coop and stayed there for a while. The coop gets way too hot to stay in. I had to get her out and close the coop for a couple of hours. It seems like Betty was in the lower pecking order in your flock by the way she's acting, just like Amanda, but the 3 girls are becoming closer to each other and Amanda isn't running away like before. I'm not getting any eggs from anyone right now so I doubt I'll be hatching anytime soon.

 

[chickee]

I'm watching them closely. Wilma and Betty were panting yesterday too, all the other birds are used to it. Betty went into the coop and stayed there for a while. The coop gets way too hot to stay in. I had to get her out and close the coop for a couple of hours. It seems like Betty was in the lower pecking order in your flock by the way she's acting, just like Amanda, but the 3 girls are becoming closer to each other and Amanda isn't running away like before. I'm not getting any eggs from anyone right now so I doubt I'll be hatching anytime soon.

I use misters for them here, wet down their yards (and chickens if they are really stressed) and have a fan in the chicken house.

Not the best time to hatch this time of year with the hot days anyway. My 4 week old d'Anvers got too hot in the chick house room Tuesday and I was afraid that I was going to loose a couple of them. It is hard to adjust their heat needs with it is getting cool early morning and so hot during the day.

Egg production has dropped a little here too. They have been laying like crazy for several months, so break time I guess. The GCM eggs are starting to darken back up now which is nice. They started laying their first eggs at 5 months old last September and haven't quit laying since!

 

[sherylreno]

I also use misters and brought it out yesterday and turned it on. That's when Betty went into the coop.

 

[chickee]

I also use misters and brought it out yesterday and turned it on. That's when Betty went into the coop.

Silly chickens don't like to get wet! I have some smart ones that stand right under the misters. They are the older hens who have learned how nice and cool it feels. Your girls have only been through one summer so they are still learning. I have had to resort to turning the hose on them in a fine spray to get them wet and cooled down.

 

[sherylreno]

Yep, had to do that last year as well. They didn't like until they found out it felt good.

 

[Agreed131]

Hello! I live in Lemmon Valley (Birch and Arkansas) and we DO NOT have bears. Thank goodness. We do have coyotes, but a fenced yard and a large dog will keep them far away. We are also 'lucky' enough that our high desert climate means no racoons, skunks, or smaller predators.

I do have two large dogs that scare off any interested cats, which I know helps. We have a very open coop and have even let the chickens free range before, with no losses to outside predators.

PS - You are welcome to come over and meet my 'Lav AM,' that means Lavender Ameracauna. AKA Purple Chicken!

Holy cow. I am in Lemmon Valley as well

... on Idaho. I am worried about free ranging my girls since I have a couple crummy neighbors that let their stupid dogs run all the time. Have you had any issues with the hawks or owls taking your birds?

 

[DarlingMommy]

Nope; no issues with other predators. Our dogs got a few from my VERY first order, but they straightened out right quick. 'Free ranging' though means they are in our fenced-in acreish, our yard is still fenced by a four foot fence. But they hang out with our dogs all day, no problem.

Our dogs also keep most predators away, so coyotes and hawks steer clear of our yard.

Holy cow. I am in Lemmon Valley as well

... on Idaho. I am worried about free ranging my girls since I have a couple crummy neighbors that let their stupid dogs run all the time. Have you had any issues with the hawks or owls taking your birds?

 

[Agreed131]

Nope; no issues with other predators. Our dogs got a few from my VERY first order, but they straightened out right quick. 'Free ranging' though means they are in our fenced-in acreish, our yard is still fenced by a four foot fence. But they hang out with our dogs all day, no problem.

Our dogs also keep most predators away, so coyotes and hawks steer clear of our yard.

We are mostly fenced (hoping to be fully by the end of summer but we will see how that goes. I keep giving the husband too many honey do projects whoops) My dogs have thier own fenced kennel areas since I have labs they are very birdy and may try to carry my babies around lol. I do have a neighbor cat that keeps eating my feral rabbit population (someone dumped pet bunnies in our area years ago and they are still around). Hopefully we get our chicken fortress finished soon since my babies are stinking up my garage.

Where do you usually get your chickens from? Food?

 

[sherylreno]

I just had to share this, I took this video today of the chickens dust bathing. Boy did they enjoy themselves.

 

[chickee]

I just had to share this, I took this video today of the chickens dust bathing. Boy did they enjoy themselves.

OMG! I couldn't quit laughing! That was SO dang cute the way your rooster put his wing over Betty! They are so happy and that makes me feel great!