Texas heat and a broody hen

[NanaDory]

I live in Texas and the heat has been exceptionally brutal this summer, 100+ degrees every day. I have a broody hen on her 11th day of setting and I am starting to really worry about her in this heat. She is panting, full beak open panting. I normally never interfere with a broody and let her do her thing but is there anything I should do for her in this case?

 

[sloanbychoice]

I just had this same issue. Kansas here, and we’re on our twelfth day in a row of 99-100°.
I keep a shop fan in my coop all summer. At night, I aim it at the roost. In the morning, I aim it at the nests.
I think this really helped her stay cool enough while she was broody.

 

[Sussex19]

I should think any thing you can do to keep her cool would be a good thing, also the last time I had a broody hen in very hot weather the eggs failed to hatch. It was an inexperienced hen though, so maybe that wasn't the problem.
Maybe you could improve the ventilation?

 

[jus10inla]

South la, temps 90-95 daily, our humidity is far worse than most of tx.. my broody just hatched 12/14 eggs. And the other has 6 days left on 5 eggs. I didnt do anything for either, they are just in shaded nesting boxes.


let nature take its course, they will be fine.

 

[NanaDory]

Thank you for the replies! I did prop the nesting box door open a Crack today, hoping to help ventilation. This is her second time hatching so she does have some experience. I was thinking of adding a fan but was afraid it would spook her off the eggs, but I'm thinking it's worth a try. Sure would hate to lose her, she is one of my best hens.

 

[Shimmerpuppy]

I live in Texas and the heat has been exceptionally brutal this summer, 100+ degrees every day. I have a broody hen on her 11th day of setting and I am starting to really worry about her in this heat. She is panting, full beak open panting. I normally never interfere with a broody and let her do her thing but is there anything I should do for her in this case?

I just posted a very similar post! I live in east Texas, and my coop temp climbs in the 100s everyday lately. Of all the times to go broody....you'd think they'd pick a cooler temp.