fifenashia
Songster
There are a few threads floating around that are starting to address the rapid rise in hot temperatures. Chickens are not able to sweat and so they need external assistance in cooling down and once their little bodies reach 90degrees.... it's not good. So let's put together a list of the best ways you have helped/are helping your hens beat the heat this summer!!
This is my second summer with hens and we had no problems last year, but this year already I am worrying more since we have had 4 days in a row with heat index 94!! These are some of the ways we are planning/currently using to help our girls cool off.
SHADE! Our run only has trees on the backside and so the mid afternoon sun beats down pretty extreme. We stapled plastic sheeting up over the area right under the coop as a way to keep the sun from beating down so harshly. It's not perfect or completely ideal but it's the best I can do for now. I have noticed them digging in the ground in that area as a way to find the cooler earth below and get some relief.
ICE! Hubs has been dumping buckets of ice in their water throughout the day.
FROZEN FOOD! We threw some frozen strawberries in the water too, thinking of doing some spinach, blueberries and other fun treats in ice cube form. Popsicles for chickens??!
We let them out of the coop when I get home from work between 6-7pm and allow access to kiddie pool, sand box for dust bathing and tonight hubs actually sprayed them down with the hose. I would let them out sooner, but we lost 2 in a dog attack a few weeks back and I cant let them free range without fixing the fence first.
WATER BOTTLES. We took a GIANT plastic jug that held a mega ton amount of cheeseballs and filled it with water (minus cheese balls) and it is currently in the freezer. Once frozen it will go down for them to "cozy up" to and cool off with.
Any other suggestions? ADD THEM!
This is my second summer with hens and we had no problems last year, but this year already I am worrying more since we have had 4 days in a row with heat index 94!! These are some of the ways we are planning/currently using to help our girls cool off.
SHADE! Our run only has trees on the backside and so the mid afternoon sun beats down pretty extreme. We stapled plastic sheeting up over the area right under the coop as a way to keep the sun from beating down so harshly. It's not perfect or completely ideal but it's the best I can do for now. I have noticed them digging in the ground in that area as a way to find the cooler earth below and get some relief.
ICE! Hubs has been dumping buckets of ice in their water throughout the day.
FROZEN FOOD! We threw some frozen strawberries in the water too, thinking of doing some spinach, blueberries and other fun treats in ice cube form. Popsicles for chickens??!
We let them out of the coop when I get home from work between 6-7pm and allow access to kiddie pool, sand box for dust bathing and tonight hubs actually sprayed them down with the hose. I would let them out sooner, but we lost 2 in a dog attack a few weeks back and I cant let them free range without fixing the fence first.
WATER BOTTLES. We took a GIANT plastic jug that held a mega ton amount of cheeseballs and filled it with water (minus cheese balls) and it is currently in the freezer. Once frozen it will go down for them to "cozy up" to and cool off with.
Any other suggestions? ADD THEM!