preparing for summer heat

[SamG347]

Our coop has one big window in the middle of the back of the coop. And then 2 little windows and a dutch door in the front. With the dutch door we can keep the bottom half of the door closed and open the top. We made a screen out of chicken wire so it keeps the chooks in but still lets in alot of cool air. The fan blows from the middle back window towards the open dutch door. That way it draws in air while blowing the hot air out. The chickens are afraid of it for a little bit but get use to it quickly.
Good Luck all!

 

[cookinmom]

Mine has a window on the south wall, and the people door and chicken door on the West wall. When it's hot I keep both doors open for max air flow, but I think I'll put the fan in the window too, blowing inwards to keep the air moving in there.
Right now I have chicken wire over their nest box area to keep them from sleeping there (they're too young to lay) and I open the lid over that to get more air too. But when they start laying, I don't think they'd appreciate being exposed to the open sky like that (even if I put chicken wire over the top to keep them in.)

I'm going to get them a 'wading pool' too. Already Doris and Gloria like to stand in the water pan. Hey, I think my MIL has a little kiddie pool she doesn't want!

This is a great thread!

 

[foxtrapper]

Quote:
Check the temperature under this canvas. While true canvas works well, those poly tarps create an oven under themselves. Especially if they are close to the ground.

 

[Varisha]

Quote:
Varisha, tell me more about this. Do the chickens sit by the water bottles?

I tried freezing a plastic container of ice the other day and put it in their water dish. It lasted all of about 20 minutes, so I'm looking for more ideas.

I have not yet used it for chickens but with the rabbits I used to have they would lay against it or sometimes just near it. Of course then they would sometime chew on it because that's what rabbits do best

I'm thinking the chickens might lay near it once they figure it out.

 

[akyramoto]

Quote:
Check the temperature under this canvas. While true canvas works well, those poly tarps create an oven under themselves. Especially if they are close to the ground.

The canvas seems to breathe well - it's not heavyweight ( its the lightweight drop cloth type, the cheapo stuff) & its 6' off of the ground. I will install a thermometer in the run to keep track of the heat.

 

[skeeter9]

I put a big box fan on a timer that blows through their yard. I also wet down their yard really good a couple of times a day. It gets well over 100 degrees here all summer and that has worked well for my fuzzy butts. I also let them free-range in the afternoons, so they find their own cool spots. I love the idea of a little wading pool for them - I think I'll get one.

Lori

 

[foxtrapper]

Quote:
Check the temperature under this canvas. While true canvas works well, those poly tarps create an oven under themselves. Especially if they are close to the ground.

The canvas seems to breathe well - it's not heavyweight ( its the lightweight drop cloth type, the cheapo stuff) & its 6' off of the ground. I will install a thermometer in the run to keep track of the heat.

You're probably more than fine. I was just talking about placing your hand there to feel the heat. Do it under a blue plastic tarp and you'll darn near give yourself blisters.

 

[Jsto]

I'm curious about this wading pool. Will chickens actually go in and wade? I have a kiddie pool that I was thinking of trashing since it's no longer getting any use, but will keep it around if it can serve a purpose.

My chicks will still be chicks and outside only while supervised still during our hottest part of the summer, but these ideas are still great.

 

[countrygirl4513]

Where did you get the mister's from? What type of price range were they? Describe your set up for the mister's. Thanks

 

[allen wranch]

Yes, fan goes inside facing outward so it blows the hot air out. A turbine on the roof also helps.

Someone asked earlier about my misting system and I cannot find the post. Hope they read this.

My misting system uses PVC attached to the edge of the roof line of the coops facing out into the runs. I drill holes in the PVC and add the misters where I want. We are on a well and the pressure is fine. The system is set up on timers and comes on and goes off automatically during the heat of the day. We do have problems with the misters clogging up occasionally because of the hard water. Half of my runs have metal roofs, so I have to watch for drips and puddles. With no sun, the floor doesn't dry out as fast and the warmth and moisture can breed coccidiosis. So far that hasn't been a problem thank goodness. Be sure to keep the mist away from feed to prevent mold.

This doesn't show a close up of the misters, but you can see the PVC pipe at the roof line.