Off grid A/C for the chickens?

[Stephine]

depending on how much you are willing to invest, you might consider a solar powered swamp cooler. they are very efficient, but I don't know if it's a good application for your set up, you'll have to do some reading up and see.

Thanks! I have looked at them, but they seem overkill for us here. I don't want to spend lots of money - I just need a little solar powered fan and a cooler.....

 

[centralcaligirl]

Hi, I'm not that far from you (Sacramento) and this heat wave is really rough. We're forecasted for 106-109 for the next five days. I'm currently experimenting with cooling one area of my yard with frozen jugs of water. I hosed down an area near the house that is shady and has fine soil last night, and today I have frozen water bottles open tipped down. My hope that the ice will slowly melt and keep the soil cooler throughout the day as the cold water drips out. So far the chickens are huddled in the area of the yard where I put the ice so I'm taking that as a good early sign. At first they panicked at the sight of the bottles but they seem to have adjusted pretty fast. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm thinking if it works I might add some sand to the area so there will be a cooler, deeper underlayer for burrowing and better drainage too. The pictures aren't great quality but you'll get the idea. I am also thinking about putting a fan out there to blow the cool air off the bottles and cool the air a little bit.

 

[3riverschick]

I'm getting chanteclers and we'll face this heat problem next summer here in Western Pennsylvania. I think what I'm going to do is get myself a small round kids plastic wading pool. fill with a couple of inches of water and throw in some frozen jugs of water that will give them a cool place to Wade . I may even throw some little platform in part of it and cover it with some damp towels so that the damp towels stay wet from the icy water .they'll have a cool place to lay down.
Best ,
Karen

 

[Stephine]

I'm getting chanteclers and we'll face this heat problem next summer here in Western Pennsylvania. I think what I'm going to do is get myself a small round kids plastic wading pool. fill with a couple of inches of water and throw in some frozen jugs of water that will give them a cool place to Wade . I may even throw some little platform in part of it and cover it with some damp towels so that the damp towels stay wet from the icy water .they'll have a cool place to lay down.
Best ,
Karen

Yes, it's a great idea - my trouble is that my chickens won't cooperate!
I have a great big plastic tub with large pavers in it and an inch and a half of water - the pavers are nice and cool and they think it's just an obstacle and walk around it. The one that did try it out pooped all over it and left. Oh, ever once in a while one will deink the dirty water. That's it. They stand next to it and pant.... Only my little 10 week old SFH has figured it out (in her own tub set up) - the little cockerel is as dumb as the older chickens.... gaahhh.
I just had to dunk him in cool water. Hope it will cool down soon!!!

 

[Stephine]

Hi, I'm not that far from you (Sacramento) and this heat wave is really rough. We're forecasted for 106-109 for the next five days. I'm currently experimenting with cooling one area of my yard with frozen jugs of water. I hosed down an area near the house that is shady and has fine soil last night, and today I have frozen water bottles open tipped down. My hope that the ice will slowly melt and keep the soil cooler throughout the day as the cold water drips out. So far the chickens are huddled in the area of the yard where I put the ice so I'm taking that as a good early sign. At first they panicked at the sight of the bottles but they seem to have adjusted pretty fast. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm thinking if it works I might add some sand to the area so there will be a cooler, deeper underlayer for burrowing and better drainage too. The pictures aren't great quality but you'll get the idea. I am also thinking about putting a fan out there to blow the cool air off the bottles and cool the air a little bit.

How are you doing up there? We went up to 110 today p
Back down to 105 now.... Had to dunk my little cockerel - he was getting lethargic. I hate this heat - especially since I am mid integration with two 10 week olds and I have pens in pens etc... double of everything and on top of it the little ones are having a harder time. They didn't even finish their watermelon - what's up with that?

 

[centralcaligirl]

We are doing pretty well. It's 107 right now and the girls are all huddled next to the ice. I only have three hens right now so it's a little easier to manage. The Austrolorps are doing better than the Buff Orpington, poor girl. Have you tried really cold grapes? Mine love them even better than watermelon and you are in the perfect location for grapes!

Here they are now. The frozen bottles of water are a big hit.

 

[Stephine]

We are doing pretty well. It's 107 right now and the girls are all huddled next to the ice. I only have three hens right now so it's a little easier to manage. The Austrolorps are doing better than the Buff Orpington, poor girl. Have you tried really cold grapes? Mine love them even better than watermelon and you are in the perfect location for grapes!

Here they are now. The frozen bottles of water are a big hit.

Oh, they look good!
My chickens are just not that smart....
They stay far away from the bottles, except for the one I plunked in the nest box - that girl was not ready to get off her nest yet and stayed put. Probably all the ones after her avoided that neat though - I'll see in a little bit when I go get the eggs...
I guess they are just really wary of change.... but they'd better make friends with frozen bottles and pavers in water tubs soon!
Haven't tried grapes - will get some for them.... Yes we have vinyards all around our property, but those grapes won't be ripe for a long time!
Cheers!

 

[centralcaligirl]

At crush time I bet your girls will be very happy! Mine absolutely adore grapes and will do anything for them

 

[sunnie2u]

Hi, I'm not that far from you (Sacramento) and this heat wave is really rough. We're forecasted for 106-109 for the next five days. I'm currently experimenting with cooling one area of my yard with frozen jugs of water. I hosed down an area near the house that is shady and has fine soil last night, and today I have frozen water bottles open tipped down. My hope that the ice will slowly melt and keep the soil cooler throughout the day as the cold water drips out. So far the chickens are huddled in the area of the yard where I put the ice so I'm taking that as a good early sign. At first they panicked at the sight of the bottles but they seem to have adjusted pretty fast. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm thinking if it works I might add some sand to the area so there will be a cooler, deeper underlayer for burrowing and better drainage too. The pictures aren't great quality but you'll get the idea. I am also thinking about putting a fan out there to blow the cool air off the bottles and cool the air a little bit.

Love the idea of frozen water bottles, on the ground.
I'm not that far from you...Lodi area, so I'm fighting the heat as well.

 

[Sublight]

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 be fine.