Texas heat

[Taylor1572]

I’m just wondering , I live in Texas it gets very hot , how do you keep chickens from overheating?

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

Here are some helpful links for you:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ou-keep-your-chickens-cool-in-summer.1469295/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-extreme-weather-spiel.75893/

Here in central NC I've chosen heat-tolerant breeds, I provide as much shade as I can, I give them multiple sources of clean, fresh water, and I give them electrolytes in their water once a week in particularly hot weather -- but always in a second waterer. I never leave them without plain water as well as the electrolyte solution.

Additionally, my chickens have continual access to ground where they can dig down to a cooler layer.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Fresh water daily, watermelon that either sat in the basement or fridge to get cold, vegetables frozen into a container.

 

[Taylor1572]

Welcome to BYC.

Here are some helpful links for you:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ou-keep-your-chickens-cool-in-summer.1469295/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-extreme-weather-spiel.75893/

Here in central NC I've chosen heat-tolerant breeds, I provide as much shade as I can, I give them multiple sources of clean, fresh water, and I give them electrolytes in their water once a week in particularly hot weather -- but always in a second waterer. I never leave them without plain water as well as the electrolyte solution.

Additionally, my chickens have continual access to ground where they can dig down to a cooler layer.

What about can I give them fans ? And what about a mister.? They have plenty of fresh water I also do the electrolytes but last year I had just started raising them and I lost one due to heat and don’t want that to happen again . The winter was horrible but it was much easier to keep them warm . Thank you for any input

 

[3KillerBs]

What about can I give them fans ? And what about a mister.? They have plenty of fresh water I also do the electrolytes but last year I had just started raising them and I lost one due to heat and don’t want that to happen again . The winter was horrible but it was much easier to keep them warm . Thank you for any input

Some people use fans. If you do, get one rated for barn use so that the dust from the feathers doesn't start a fire.

I have no knowledge about misters. I live in a humid area where adding water to the 95-95 air is the last thing we'd want to do.

 

[Taylor1572]

My second question is I’m currently raising three baby chicks in a separate cage but I want to introduce them to my flock .how old should they be ? And will my hens hurt them ?

 

[3KillerBs]

My second question is I’m currently raising three baby chicks in a separate cage but I want to introduce them to my flock .how old should they be ? And will my hens hurt them ?

You'll find a lot of threads and articles on integration and there are several different approaches. Here are some useful links for you:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-chickens-step-by-step.72815/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/see-no-touch-integration.75751/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...thing-about-integration.1462197/post-24356632

 

[rosemarythyme]

My second question is I’m currently raising three baby chicks in a separate cage but I want to introduce them to my flock .how old should they be ? And will my hens hurt them ?

How old are the chicks right now? Are you raising them outdoors? How big is your set up and do you have the ability to add hiding spaces for the chicks?

I do early integration (my goal is to integrate by 4 weeks) which takes advantage of a chick's tiny size and agility but it does require some setting up. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/short-on-time-recycle-a-prefab-brooder.73985/

 

[GregnLety]

I put several soffit vent covers in my coops and aimed them at the ever present summer breeze from the southeast. My coops are all under a shade tree and my pens are covered with used metal roofing. During the hot part of the day we let em free range to take advantage of the shade trees.