I lost my first hen just now...a beautiful 5-month-old Rhode Island Red who has been laying an egg every day. I went outside to check on my chicks, and found Rebecca laying under the feeder dead. I was just out there an hour ago and sprayed down the coop and run to help cool things off. In fact, the run is still a little damp...I'm shocked and sad. My kids are heartbroken too.
It's been ridiculously hot here lately...it's usually about 100 degrees in the coop during the day. I put ice and ACV in their water every day. This morning, I put vitamins and electrolytes in their water instead of ACV because I was worried about the heat. I also just put some ice packs on the floor of the coop for the rest of them. I have a 12' x 20' tarp over their run and part of the coop for shade. I don't think coop ventilation is a problem because the whole front is open (east side)...and there's a window on the north side and I often leave the nest box doors open on the west side just to make sure there's always a cross breeze.
The only thing I think of now is to buy a mister...I already looked at Walmart and didn't find one, so I'll shop around at the hardware stores and maybe Academy until I find one.
It's been ridiculously hot here lately...it's usually about 100 degrees in the coop during the day. I put ice and ACV in their water every day. This morning, I put vitamins and electrolytes in their water instead of ACV because I was worried about the heat. I also just put some ice packs on the floor of the coop for the rest of them. I have a 12' x 20' tarp over their run and part of the coop for shade. I don't think coop ventilation is a problem because the whole front is open (east side)...and there's a window on the north side and I often leave the nest box doors open on the west side just to make sure there's always a cross breeze.
The only thing I think of now is to buy a mister...I already looked at Walmart and didn't find one, so I'll shop around at the hardware stores and maybe Academy until I find one.
