Raising Chicks in ARIZONA HEAT

[haymil]

Our chicks are 2 1/2 weeks old. They all arrived two weeks ago in perfect condition... We are so in love with them!! What did we ever do before???

They have been been inside the house in a brooder box for the past two weeks although we do let them go outside in a pen for a few hours each day in morning and night when it's not too hot. We have let them out during the day and they seem to be way too hot even in the shade with a breeze...

I let them sleep outside for the first time night before last. The brooder box had a lid and a light for heat. They were fine so I let then sleep outside again last night. I lost one of the babies last night and I feel so bad! We have been taking such careful care of the babies. Here it's too hot during the day and although it was about 80 at night that is the only think I can think that happened.

I couldn't bring myself to tell my 11 year old daughter that we lost one of them.. and I am hoping she won't notice... They will be sleepin' inside for another week or so...

Any advise on raising chicks in the Arizona heat??

 

[a2ms4chickens]

I live in Tucson and our chicks hatched in May. When it was really warm at night, I didn't turn the light on because they huddled together for warmth. Or, if I did turn on the light, I left the lid cracked open a few inches to let some of the heat out, in case it got too hot.

Luckily my chicks did great and are at the age that I need to get rid of some of my cockerals.

Good luck and congrats on your chicks.

 

[stefmech]

I also live in Arizona. I just moved my 4 weeks out to their coop yesterday. It is fully shaded. I have a fan I hung in front of the window circulating air. I place a frozen milk jug out and put ice in their water. I got a $10 mister from Home Depot and put it in their run. I turn it on for about 8 hours during the day. It is amazing the difference it makes.

The first day I kept them just in the coop for a few hours so they knew where their water and food was, then I opened up the run. I have water in three different places, so they are encouraged to drink. They still pant, but they are always in the water playing and are having a great time. I turn the fan off at night and have no heat lamp - way to hot for that. They seem great. Cross my fingers.

 

[haymil]

Everything I read talked about keeping them warm enough, but nothing about them being too warm...

Thanks for your input. I put them out all day on Sunday for the first time. They have shade and it's great when there is a breeze. They love being outsied. I soak a section of their run and they loved it. I am not ready to leave them out all night until they have some more feathers..

 

[Hal S1602]

High Everyone. I'm in a panic. I have 15, 2 week old Light Brahmas I got on line. Been bringing into house during hot days. Guess I hear to much. They are saying they may catch cold. 103 F seems to extreme now. Real nice coop with good ventilation, and no direct sun is on them. Don't really know what to do. Live in Casa Grande. Thanks you guys.

 

[redsmama]

Hi! I live in Sierra Vista and it's hot in the day, but temps drop to 50's at night. My little ones that don't have feathers yet I bring in at sunset. I keep them in a cat carrier in my bathroom. As for the heat, I put shade cloth over the pens. I have 2 pens. One for big girls and the other for little and medium size.

 

[Hal S1602]

Do you have any idea as far as temperature is for little ones in the day time. I just checked here, and inside coop is 105 F and in house where they are now is about 87 F.

 

[redsmama]

Hi Hal. I'm no expert, but that's pretty hot on the little ones. I mean babies are probably ok at 87, but ones with feathers are most likely stressed. Good luck

 

[a2ms4chickens]

Hi everyone,

I haven't been on here for a long time and kinda miss it.

I've got 2 sets of chicks, some about 6 weeks and some that are about 4 weeks old. Once they are about 3 days old they all go out to the stable with the other chickens. I do keep them in a brooder until they outgrow it, but by then they have most of their feathers.

I just took the little ones out of their brooder last night because it was hot yesterday and supposed to be hot again today. I put them into a dog crate so they have lots of room to run and jump, and I clipped on a heat lamp, so they will be able to stay warm. Checked them this morning and they were doing just fine.

I've had chickens for over 6 years and found that as long as they have shade and lots of water, most tolerate the heat pretty well, even the chicks. I do add electrolyte mix in their water when the heat gets too high and that helps with the stress.

Good luck everyone with your new chicks!

Angie

 

[ambrown11111]

Are you looking to get anymore chickens? I have a white one that needs a good home.

Amanda