temperatures

[trailrider]

I keep hearing about it being to cold for the chickens, what about it being to hot? I live in NW Texas and it can reach 110 degrees for weeks on end. Is that to hot for chickens? I have a completely enclosed metal coop and then an open run that is fenced with wire. As you can tell, I am new at this and still trying to decide whether or not I should do this. The chicken pen was already here when I bought this place and was told that former owners did have chickens. But I don't know how successful they were in raising them. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[wildorchid053]

do you have lots and i mean lots of ventillation? anything in the 90's and up is bad news.. talk to others for ideas on how they cool down their chickens. there are alot of owners with high heat problems

 

[fordmommy]

I would think that you should add a fan if you don't already have them. I also want to give you a bump.

 

[trailrider]

Thanks for your help!! The ventilation would be the open run area that is wired in. It runs maybe 18 ft. long and 8 ft. wide. The enclosed metal coop is around 16 x 16. A fan sounds like a good idea. If I put a pool of water out there would they bath in it like the wild birds do in a bird bath? I would just let them wonder around free, but we have coyotes in the area. Maybe they would learn to go inside of their coop at night. Thanks again.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
You really do need to train them to go in the coop at night. Safest place for them.
Mine don't bath in their pool like a wildbird would, but they do stand in it to cool their feet. Cool the feet, you cool the body.

 

[fordmommy]

Ohh! And