ONGOING U.S. heat wave...

[Possum-Pie]

So awhile back we were discussing heat and chickens. The eastern U.S. (and most of the rest of the U.S. has had HOT conditions this summer. We have had 40+ daysover 90 and many of those were 95+. I generally say don't worry, keep them hydrated with clean water and maybe some watermelon, and they will be fine. This summer, for the first time, I've been keeping an eye on them closer. First, any heat they will open their beaks and "pant" this is normal. Offer some kind of shade...We have some areas of all-day shade in their run, and often they are frolicking in the sun, but when hot, will retreat to the shade. Electrolytes is a touchy subject. Most poultry feed contains enough potassium and sodium to keep electrolyte balance even in very hot conditions. Don't give Gatorade...It isn't really healthy for humans, much less chickens. I offered a "wading pool" but none used it, just drank the water and wouldn't wade in it. Make sure your coop has GOOD ventilation... Chickens in a closed-up coop, giving off their own heat, will overheat quickly unless some ventilation is present.
I'm constantly amazed at the resiliency of domestic chickens, but they evolved in Southeast Asia/Vietnam area where it is always hot and humid.

 

[swamphiker]

Yep, shade, shade, and more shade! It's hot and humid for about 5 months of the year where I am. My chickens spend most of the day for that half of the year in the deep shade.

 

[aart]

Electrolytes is a touchy subject. Most poultry feed contains enough potassium and sodium to keep electrolyte balance even in very hot conditions. Don't give Gatorade...It isn't really healthy for humans, much less chickens.

You can get electrolytes for chickens. I offer it every 2-3 days during heat waves. It definitely helps, it also helps during extreme cold waves.

I offered a "wading pool" but none used it, just drank the water and wouldn't wade in it.

Mine wouldn't get into the wader pool at first. I finally grabbed a hen and held her in there, she struggled a bit then I swear she gave out a big sigh, after that they all went in no problem.

Here's how I handle the EL and wading tray:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-extreme-weather-spiel.75893/

 

[Possum-Pie]

I think my wading pool's sides were too high, I'll try again with a tray with shorter sides.

 

[igorsMistress]

I’ve found poultry electrolytes to be beneficial, but make it just a quart at a time and add to feed. Less waste with my small flock. They don’t like it once it gets warm.

I use the pools with ice, but use a small amount of water too; just enough to cover the bottom of the pool so that the chickens can spread out but all get in and feel the chill.

I saw someone mention that they put a paver in the middle of the pool with food on it to encourage the chickens to get in; seemed to work. Once they know what it’s for, they’ll use it.

Having a cool bath is a big deal for my crew. I wet down their favorite bathing areas in the mornings and each afternoon there’s a couple chickens in it.

 

[LaFleche]

Consider a big summer screen door or even one entire coop wall covered in hardware cloth to make sure they have proper ventilation snd don't overheat.

 

[Sharwig]

So awhile back we were discussing heat and chickens. The eastern U.S. (and most of the rest of the U.S. has had HOT conditions this summer. We have had 40+ daysover 90 and many of those were 95+. I generally say don't worry, keep them hydrated with clean water and maybe some watermelon, and they will be fine. This summer, for the first time, I've been keeping an eye on them closer. First, any heat they will open their beaks and "pant" this is normal. Offer some kind of shade...We have some areas of all-day shade in their run, and often they are frolicking in the sun, but when hot, will retreat to the shade. Electrolytes is a touchy subject. Most poultry feed contains enough potassium and sodium to keep electrolyte balance even in very hot conditions. Don't give Gatorade...It isn't really healthy for humans, much less chickens. I offered a "wading pool" but none used it, just drank the water and wouldn't wade in it. Make sure your coop has GOOD ventilation... Chickens in a closed-up coop, giving off their own heat, will overheat quickly unless some ventilation is present.
I'm constantly amazed at the resiliency of domestic chickens, but they evolved in Southeast Asia/Vietnam area where it is always hot and humid.

We've had 3 weeks over 100 and 4-5 weeks over 95 here in SW Idaho. My girls seem to be doing ok, but I'm beginning to wonder how safe the eggs are. I pull them 3-4 times a day, but usually bring them into garage which is still pretty hot. Once I fill the carton (2-3 days), I put them unwashed in the refrigerator but am wondering now whether they should be refrigerated immediately after pulling in this heat? Any thoughts on this?

This has been one miserably hot summer!

 

[Possum-Pie]

We've had 3 weeks over 100 and 4-5 weeks over 95 here in SW Idaho. My girls seem to be doing ok, but I'm beginning to wonder how safe the eggs are. I pull them 3-4 times a day, but usually bring them into garage which is still pretty hot. Once I fill the carton (2-3 days), I put them unwashed in the refrigerator but am wondering now whether they should be refrigerated immediately after pulling in this heat? Any thoughts on this?

This has been one miserably hot summer!

Don't worry about the eggs...The underside of a chicken is 105F. or so... as long as the bloom is on the eggs they will be fine. I accidentally left the coop door closed all afternoon a while back and two chickens laid eggs in the run. I didn't find them for a week and every day was over 94F. I was a bit concerned so cracked them into a bowl before I cooked them, and they were fine. I have a bowl of eggs on the counter in the kitchen that I use for cooking and they are never refrigerated. 3 weeks without refrigeration is the "official" word, but I know MANY folks who keep them for over a month with no refrigeration at all. Just don't wash off the bloom. If there is poop on the eggs, brush it off with a toothbrush or gently with a paper towel. Refrigeration extends their usability to up to 3-4 months though.

 

[CharlesnBlue]

So awhile back we were discussing heat and chickens. The eastern U.S. (and most of the rest of the U.S. has had HOT conditions this summer. We have had 40+ daysover 90 and many of those were 95+. I generally say don't worry, keep them hydrated with clean water and maybe some watermelon, and they will be fine. This summer, for the first time, I've been keeping an eye on them closer. First, any heat they will open their beaks and "pant" this is normal. Offer some kind of shade...We have some areas of all-day shade in their run, and often they are frolicking in the sun, but when hot, will retreat to the shade. Electrolytes is a touchy subject. Most poultry feed contains enough potassium and sodium to keep electrolyte balance even in very hot conditions. Don't give Gatorade...It isn't really healthy for humans, much less chickens. I offered a "wading pool" but none used it, just drank the water and wouldn't wade in it. Make sure your coop has GOOD ventilation... Chickens in a closed-up coop, giving off their own heat, will overheat quickly unless some ventilation is present.
I'm constantly amazed at the resiliency of domestic chickens, but they evolved in Southeast Asia/Vietnam area where it is always hot and humid.

Cold watermelon has been working for me

 

[Possum-Pie]

Cold watermelon has been working for me

We have had extreme drought in my area, we finally got rain and our watermelons are just getting big...The chickens are licking their beaks!!