Please Help With Heat Issue

[Hidden Blessings Farm]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I do have some shade in my runs that I have created i just dont have any as far as trees or anything that provides shade. I thank everyone again for their help!! Its not even july yet and we already having 100 degree temps 105 heat index for the past week so its only gonna get hotter I believe.

 

[ugly ducky]

Try running a sprinkler over the coop roof. This will cool the building down by about 10 degrees. We used to hose down the roof of our poultry and rabbit buildings at the fair when it got too hot, and it saved many animals from heatstroke. Another idea is place a fan on high behind a spinkler or a hose nozzle that has a fine spray, and aim it at the run. You'll be surprised how much it will cool down an area. The fan creates a mist of cool air.

 

[Sam The Yam]

Create as much artificial shade as you can by using a piece of plywood, tarps, etc. I have a couple of large umbrellas that would normally be used by the pool. Also, some damp loose dirt that they can dig down in is always appreciated by a chicken.

 

[TammyTX]

It's expected to be 105 here today, it was 103 yesterday. That does not include the heat index. And for anyone who thinks we have a dry heat here....NOT!

My coop is not under a tree but we did build a run with lattice work over-top. I think it helps keep the morning sun from hitting the coop so early.

But I have found that the chickens really like the mister. They will stand under it and they walk around shaking the spray off their feathers. I also put a bowl under the spray so it will collect water because they will prefer it over their regular water. Anything to make them drink more.

We have had a breeze but lately it's waning. I don't have a fan up yet, but I'm going to get one hung today.

I wonder if putting a frozen milk jug in front of the fan will blow colder air.....?

 

[Marie89523]

The coop is in the sunny spot and raised with a run that's open during the day and locked up at night. It's on the side yard and they seemed to hang out underneath during the slight uptick in temp (we had a month of drizzle and overcast temps in the 70s-80s) and little by little are venturing out to the greater yard where the bigger shade trees are and finding nooks to linger in longer.

We have a kiddy pool in a shady spot with a few inches of water that went out this morning and didn't seem to draw them over... I'm going to give it a couple of days and see what happens.

I like the idea of multiple watering spots... that might lure away from the coup area. And maybe raising the low side of the roof a little for more ventilation...

Haven't seen panting, but considering the last 3 days have been in the 90s I sweat just looking at them in their big fleathery coats and hope they are smart enough to keep themselves cool.

 

[threehorses]

I read today about someone whose birds knocked over their waterer and she found them prostrate and near death.

Then I realized - multiple watering stations means less chance of their only one being knocked over!

Also, reading more on electrolytes, I'm convinced that both electrolyte and NON electrolyte water should be offered in the usual amount offered for all their water - but for each. That way birds can regulate their intake.

In other words if you usually leave a 3 gallon waterer, use one 3gal of electrolyte solution, another 3 gallon of non-electrolyte water.