We keep an Orbit Mistand going from dawn to dusk under the shade of a popup canopy. The chickens spend the whole day under the mister and sit on the damp soil/grass below to stay cool. We just bought another mister on a stand called Arctic Cool from Lowe's as a backup if the Orbit ever konks out. We also made sure to buy an extra set of mister valve replacements because our water is so mineral heavy that the nozzle valves can't be cleaned even in CLR so we make sure to have plenty of replacement nozzles on hand. We have to replace the mister nozzle valve (they are very small) about once every 3 months because of our hard backyard water source. For drinking water for the chickens we use Brite Tap 2-gallon Rubbermaid nipple valve water packages and fill the jugs with bottled water because the tap water is too harsh and mineralized for drinking either for humans or pets. The water stays clean and cool in the insulated jugs and we have Brite Tap covers to shade the waterers. It's been suggested to put clean bottled water ice cubes inside the jugs but if the Brite Taps are shaded all day the water stays insulated cool for several days without needing to add ice cubes. Our days have been anywhere from 90o to 100o and even if it sprinkles rain it is still very very hot/humid. The Silkies and Ameraucana basque under the fine mister spray. We also have scattered plywood shelters set on cinder blocks for shade plus 4 doghouses scattered about for shade/snoozing/hiding from aerial predators. We let the weeds grow tall under the mister so the chickens can crawl into the cool wet leaves. I hope you can get another Silkie companion for your boy. Our single Silkie was picked on so we got her a pullet friend - they aren't the best of buddies but we see them toodling around close together in the yard. Guess it's true that birds of a feather flock together LOL.
