Smoke and Chickens. Should I move my hens inside?

[Starburst]

Hi, everyone! Where I am in Washington, the air quality is lingering between Very Unhealthy and Dangerous. It's very hard to see outside because of all of the smoke, and I can't go out there without getting asthma. My chickens are troopers and handling it fairly well, but I'm still concerned about their health. Do you have any tips for helping my chickens handle the smoke outdoors, or do you recommend I move them inside immediately? Or do you think they'll be fine as it is? Also, are there any red flags I should look for in my flock if they're not handling it well? And what I should do should their health decrease? Thank you so much for taking the time to reply!

 

[RoosterWhisperer]

If everyone here is washingtonian, like this post!

 

[Pullet Press]

Wow...40. I'd love to have that many, but 40 in a house... My other animals would go crazy.

Imagine where to put the 40, forgetting the other animals and such.

 

[Jeanw]

Hiya starburst, check this thread...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-hazardous-smoke-levels.1414618/post-23233872

 

[OmnipotentOrpington]

Stupid me just asked this without seeing if somebody else had. I also live in Western Washington, so I'll look at the link!

 

[gimmie birdies]

I live in E. WA we have been living with fires and smoke issues for more than 5 years, but the last 5 have been the worst. I have not done anything special with the birds, mainly because chickens don't like the unfamiliar.

This is going to sound shallow, but if anyone has seen the KUWTK where the family get chickens and the temp drops to the 40's in LA and they bring the chickens into the house, putting them in the bath tub, so they don't get cold. That is what it makes me think of. This whole thing will pass. try and keep things as normal and familiar for them as possible.

 

[OmnipotentOrpington]

Mine are staying out, but I'm fortunate that most of the smoke seems to be staying out of my immediate area. It only got bad today but the chickens didn't show signs of distress or upset, so I let them be.

Yes, that's my problem. The smoke level is 'poor' but the chickens aren't disturbed. I'm worried about long term effects

 

[Texas Transplant]

OR has it so bad right now. My AQI is just under 200 as of an hour ago.

200 is bad too! I just don't know how my man does it?! He's a wildland firefighter/EMT with the Forest Service. I'm older than him but, I think I'll be taking care of him as the years go by.

 

[rosemarythyme]

200 is bad too! I just don't know how my man does it?! He's a wildland firefighter/EMT with the Forest Service. I'm older than him but, I think I'll be taking care of him as the years go by.

It's bad but not nearly as crazy as other parts of the coast - and my area was mostly spared the smoke from earlier this week, so it's only been like this since yesterday.

Hope your fella is doing ok, I can't imagine what it must be like to be in thick of all of this! Thank him for the work he does!

 

[gimmie birdies]

480? Wow, even with all our fire activity over the years I don't think it was ever that bad here in EWA. right now I do see some smoke coming in though. Last few days were clean enough to play pickleball and sit outside. now it is starting to be too smoke-y