Smoky outside, should I be worried?

spicechicks

In the Brooder
Joined
Jul 18, 2020
Messages
5
Reaction score
16
Points
27
I live in California, and we've been getting a lot of smoke from the fires. The air quality can get up to 250 some days. My four three-month-old chicks have been living outside but I'm not sure if they'll be okay. What should I do?
 
Last edited:
I have the same question myself. I am in the Bay Area (Mountain View), and though the smoke is not as bad as it is in other areas, it is definitely not good. I have 5 hens and 7 coturnix quail.
 
Put lightweight curtains over the hardware cloth/chicken wire/screens and keep them damp. That filters out a lot of the ash. You'll need to totally rinse them out frequently, though, as the ash will clog the fires, trapping air and ammonia inside. You can do it while they are still in place, as long as the water doesn't run into the coop. The same trick works for your house windows - damp sheets hung over your screens and cleaned frequently. Both are lessons taken from friends who went through the Camp Fire a while back.
Good Luck ... and stay safe!
@MROO gave good advice here..:goodpost:
My best wishes to both of you.
 
If you're able to keep them indoors in cages or play pens, I'd recommend it. Chickens have super sensitive respiratory systems, and smoke / smog can kill them. We had really bad bushfires here in Australia, I kept my girls inside.
 
If you're able to keep them indoors in cages or play pens, I'd recommend it. Chickens have super sensitive respiratory systems, and smoke / smog can kill them. We had really bad bushfires here in Australia, I kept my girls inside.
I am not able to keep my chickens indoors--I will just have to hope for the best.
 
Thanks; that's good advice! Not sure if I have spare sheets, but I will consider it.
Are you or someone you know a sewer/seamstress? Most of us have a stash of uncut fabric on hand for "future projects" we just haven't had the time to get around to, yet ... Any fabric will do, I suggested sheets because they are lightweight, even when soaked, but nearly any permeable fabric will do - table linens, blankets, shop rags, you name it. Try the Dollar Store for cheap, fabric shower curtains. Be creative! Then take pictures, so when all this is over, you can have a chuckle over the crazy lengths you went to for your chickens!
 
Have you got a spare bathroom? I wonder if chickens have the same TP fetish as my cats? :)
I am allergic to birds so I would not be able to keep them indoors. They would also be very messy.... :p
 
Last edited:

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom