Summer

[Carenm]

How do chickens do in dry heat of the summer ( can be 105 here)

We plan to have shade for them but I can't see locking them in their coop overnight. Even with a fan and ventilation it has to get HOT in there from the daytime heating. I know its safer from predators but I am afraid we will have baked chicken.


What do you do to keep your coops cool?

 

[easttxchick]

I am in Southeast Texas so we have an extreme heat problem in the summer as well. Really, all I can do is provide ventilation(leave the windows open and provide a fan). I want to REALLY predator proof my run so that I can leave the coop door open at night.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Here, it can get in the upper 90s and the air is thick with humidity at times. I designed our main coop to have a lot of very large openings for the summer. Otherwise, it would be stifling at night. A more open air coop will let the heat out, instead of trapping it inside. Then the coop will cool off faster, as the day starts to become less hot. I can't really use the word cool, there. I lived in Texas for a few years and the first summer I was there, it was 114 degrees. Man, when it's that far above your body temperature, even dry heat is bad. I feel for you!

You can have window panes or plywood on hinges that open up or even just have a huge panel that you remove when it gets hot. Or, just go with a really open air coop and put plastic over the opening in the winter. I'd be wanting most of one wall open and some cross ventilation, too.

Edited to add, I use 1/2" hardware cloth in a sturdy gauge, over the openings.