Off grid A/C for the chickens?

[darkbluespace]

I saw the title of this thread and my mind flashed on some sort of dugout attached to the run... like an underground room where birds could escape the heat. Isn't that what critters do in the desert?

 

[Sublight]

I saw the title of this thread and my mind flashed on some sort of dugout attached to the run... like an underground room where birds could escape the heat. Isn't that what critters do in the desert?

I think people are overreacting about the heat, however this is a interesting idea.

Dig a hole with a shovel, take a few 2x6's and put them together like them popsicle stick things we used to play with as kids. Nail a top together, and give them some way to walk in. Boom its instantly cooler. That's a cool idea. Doesn't have to be real big. Heck, you can probably take a couple of those big plastic bins, turn them upside down and let them walk down into that. Have to give them some type of stairs. @darkbluespace that is a really interesting idea.

Probably be hard to clean.

 

[Flock In Texas]

This won't help OP, but here is what I may do and may help somebody. I have a large tractor that is wired for electricity. I run an extension cord to it. I only keep a clock radio going for now to scare predators.(and give my chicks a conservative upbringing) I installed an electrical outlet and I may mount a 20" box fan to blow across the "yard" under the 4x8 tractor. I may have to shelter it to protect the fan from rain.(or just bring the fan in if it looks like it will rain) So far I use the electricity to extend daylight hours in the winter, mama heating pad and the clock radio. I wish I had installed an extra light on the outside of the tractor.

 

[Flock In Texas]

I saw the title of this thread and my mind flashed on some sort of dugout attached to the run... like an underground room where birds could escape the heat. Isn't that what critters do in the desert?

You could bury or partially bury a large plastic container. Put pavers in the bottom to keep it from floating and fill the area around it with water. You can remove the top for cleaning and/or setting a frozen gallon milk jug inside. Cut an entry hole in the side and they can come and go as needed.

 

[Sublight]

Chickens don't sweat, air wont help. You just want ventilation so the hot air can escape. A fan will only cool a piece of metal to the ambient temperature, not below. Same with a chicken.
The only thing you can do is to try to cool the ambient air. The underground idea is a good one.

Most birds have minimal blood flow through the feet, so even having them stand in water will help very little. That's why their feet do not freeze solid during the winter months.

The best idea I have seen if you want to go this direction, is something underground.

They keep chickens all down south America with no A/C. Your chickens will be fine. I don't wanna harp on this, so im going to cut out. Yall have a great day.

 

[darkbluespace]

Whether or not anyone is overreacting, I think the heat is stressful. It is stressful for me and we don't get that hot here. I don't like to see my birds panting and uncomfortable. My chickens are my babies... yeah, all of them! I think the less stressed they are the longer they will live, the healthier they will be, the better they will lay and the happier we all will be.

If I was in a hotter climate and didn't have so many coops, I would totally do this... I am thinking like a 4x4 room dug out, a ramp down, with pallet walls, maybe stones or sand on the bottom and then it would just be sprayed well with a hose for cleaning and that would make it cooler too. I may sketch this for fun. Stay cool everybody!!

 

[sunnie2u]

I think you are over-reacting a little. Unless you got a "Cold hardy" chicken, then it will be ok. Just make sure it has shade, water, and ventilation.

I grew up in South Mississippi, about 35 miles north of the gulf. Its hot. The temperature does normally not go above 98 or so. However the air is so humid that sweat does not evaporate, therefore sweating doesn't cool you down. In dryer climates like you are in it will.
The reason I say this is that them panting in your 100+ days, will cool your chickens down more then ours did on 98 degree days. Its harder to stay cool where I grew up.

We never lost chickens due to the heat. We had Rhode Island Reds, and domineckers
(Dominique).
Just give them plenty of water, ventilation and shade. They should be fine. Chickens are much more hardy then we give them credit for. After all, to my understanding most came from Asia/India, that's a hot place. Your girls will

 

[sunnie2u]

My neighbor lost two, due to the heat...they were Buff Orpington/Ameracauna mix.
Yes it can be too hot, even for non-cold hardy breeds.

 

[Sublight]

My neighbor lost two, due to the heat...they were Buff Orpington/Ameracauna mix.
Yes it can be too hot, even for non-cold hardy breeds.

You assume its because of the heat, its a guess.
However hundreds of thousands of other chickens in your area, and in the deep south get through the summers with no problem. Ive had chickens of my own, or when I lived with my dad for over 30 years in consistent 95 degree heat in the height of summer with crazy humidity. Meaning that panting didn't help my chickens hardly at all, meaning they couldn't cool themselves. They have survived a long time in as bad/worse conditions.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I've lost chickens to heat. No guesses, it was the heat. Sometimes things are obvious. Temps were over 110 F as highs for over a week. When a chicken is weak to start with like a heavy parasite load or internal damage like a weak heart of liver/kidney problems the additional stress can kick them over the edge. One of the ones that died had been acting poorly before the heat hit. The other died in the nest straining to lay an egg.

I don't see chickens standing in water when the weather is cool or even just a warm. I see that when it gets really hot. You can argue about blood flow and all that but the simple fact is that in extreme heat a few of mine stand in water. Maybe a little relief is better than none at all.

The chickens internal body temperature is in the 105 F range. They cool themselves by breathing out warm air full of moisture. If you think panting doesn't help at all, why do you think they do it when they get hot? Why is panting a sign that they are hot?

Healthy chickens can manage fairly high heat with plenty of water and shade. If chickens free range or have a variety of terrain to use, they can normally find a place to help with the heat. If they are trapped in small runs and coops with not much variety their options are a lot more limited. Having cool spots can help them just as much as it helps you. When it gets ridiculously hot I throw water on the ground in the shade. They spend a lot of time stretched out in that area, the evaporation cools the ground. Eating and drinking cool things can help reduce overheating, just like it cools you.

Hot weather is not a death sentence for all chickens, but for weak ones or ones confined in small spaces it is more dangerous. Whether you consider your chickens precious pets or livestock, providing some relief from excessive heat is a good idea, especially if their options are limited.