Question about heat today versus heat in the 1950's-1960's

[centrarchid]

Just speculating here. I'm guessing your granddaddy didn't pamper his chickens or read for hours on backyardchickens.com about inventions, tips and tricks to keep your chickens cool. And maybe his chickens just suffered through the heat and occasionally maybe one or two actually died from it. But that was simply a seasonal and accepted loss, not the tragic loss of a cherished family pet. Maybe they just thought of their chickens differently than we do these days.

The old man who lived next door to me and kept the same sorts of chickens that I do thought I was out of my mind for putting an automatic door on my chicken coop, although I think he secretly liked it. And he scoffed at me for putting a chunk of ice in the chickens' water can. Different generation, different way of looking at things.

My grand daddy discussed for hours each weak with a much smaller social group face to about his gamefowl. Grandmother did most of her correspondence around church meetings and evidently through the mail.

 

[gringold]

Thanks for all the replies. My granddaddy was a cotton farmer and cows, chickens, and pigs were just for the milk, meat, eggs, and pork for their home. I honestly don't really remember the chickens, but my mom talks about them and grandmother ringing a chicken's neck before plucking and cooking. I do remember the cows and the occasional pig. I have to say your response has made me feel better about my chickens. I definitely will keep the fan going, but It only did the mister one day and they didn't seem to like it and it kept them in one corner all day. They are in the shade and have a dry dirt area under the coop that never gets wet, so hopefully that will be enough along with lots of water. I have added extra water to the run. I'm trying not to make them pets because I really do want them for eggs and am not planning on keeping them forever.
I have an automatic door and I love the convenience of it. I could see my granddaddy with something like that. He had all the best farm equipment out in his big shed that we used to love playing in on hot days. Your also right about the men talking to their friends. We went to town every Saturday and church on Sunday. My great-grandparents also came over once a week for dinner (lunch, the big meal of the day). It was definitely a different time.

 

[Mini Meat]

I would add that in the past chickens were regionalized... breed and adapted to a local climate. Now a days we keep chickens bred for the north in the south and visa-versa.