Texas

[Susans228]

It's getting really hot in Texas. I have my 3-4 week chick's in a coop closed up outside. It only has a small vent. Will they get to hot? I let them out for a while supervised but the run is messed up and I'm waiting for a replacement piece. Should I find something to rig it so I can the door open for them?

 

[orumpoultry]

Here we go!

 

[needlessjunk]

Here we go!

Oh geez! Again?

 

[Sunflowergirl]

It's getting really hot in Texas. I have my 3-4 week chick's in a coop closed up outside. It only has a small vent. Will they get to hot? I let them out for a while supervised but the run is messed up and I'm waiting for a replacement piece. Should I find something to rig it so I can the door open for them?

I think the chicks can answer that for you by watching them. Are they panting, holding their wings away from their bodies? Can you monitor the temperature with a thermometer?
My chickens loved it when I would freeze gallon jugs of water and set them in the coop for them. They would lay next to and roost on top. Maybe you can do that or some pans of water with ice in them. Maybe put some electrolytes in their waterers.
Hope this helps!

Edited to add:
With chicks, you could probably just use the drinking bottles of water and freeze.

 

[bdfive]

Had to chase off a hawk this morning. Been fighting a headache, so I had not been outside to let any of them out yet. Heard the guineas start with their alarm call, was expecting it to be another crow or cardinal. Then the roosters and ducks joined in. Next thing I hear is the hawk screeching. It flew off as soon as I started out to the yard. Dadgum thing has plenty of squirrels and wild rabbits to go after and it wants to eyeball my birds.

Have to say that the baby monitor I have set up in the pole barn near the birds was a good investment though.

_______________________________________________________

Do you get LOUD sound out of your baby monitor? I've been using one for years. About 6 months ago it needed replacing and couldn't find the same "Safety 1st" I'd bought at Walmart so brought home a "Graco" which I don't like. It isn't loud enough and doesn't pick up all the quieter background sounds. If yours is working well can you please share the brand and model you bought so I can get one.

I'm about 30 miles north of San Antonio. Rebecca Creek flows all year. We're theres water theres critters. We have more then our share of predators and I have no choice but to stay on top of controling them. A decent baby monitor is a must. Thanks in advance! (-:

 

[orumpoultry]

Oh geez! Again?

We usually get five or six between April and August. We're about there already and August just started! This week be the fifth one I know of.

I think the chicks can answer that for you by watching them.  Are they panting, holding their wings away from their bodies?  Can you monitor the temperature with a thermometer? 
My chickens loved it when I would freeze gallon jugs of water and set them in the coop for them.  They would lay next to and roost on top.  Maybe you can do that or some pans of water with ice in them.  Maybe put some electrolytes in their waterers. 
Hope this helps!   

Edited  to add:
With chicks,  you could probably just use the drinking bottles of water and freeze.

 

[orumpoultry]

We offer frozen peas and frozen lettuce to our chicks.

 

[bnjrob]

There is only one reason I don't eat quail....it's TOO expensive to buy!!!! Comparing quail to chicken is like comparing caviar to potato chips....(Especially when prepared correctly) ...the only reason more people dont like quail is the small size....and the work to get the small amount of meat off the small bones....

Now, if a quail grew to the size of an ostrich, the beef industry would be in serious trouble, and instead of stuffing them....we'd be telling turkeys to get stuffed on Thanksgiving.....(well....maybe not...but....it is awesome) ....

LOL I've heard they are good eating but the price, GAH! Twenty years or so ago, I got some of the little Cornish hens to make for a special dinner and they were so darn expensive for the amount of meat on them that quail has never been something I was willing to pay so much for since they were always more expensive than the little Cornish hens even. I think quail are cute alive and all, but for practical purposes, I have to stick with my large fowl chickens and turkeys. We just butchered roosters last week and I needed to use them as ground meat - and again I was reminded of how time consuming it is to get raw meat of the bones of heritage chickens because they have so much more, and stronger, connective tissue than the commercial chickens do. I can't imagine trying to get the meat off of raw quail so you didn't have to have a freezer just for quail carcasses.

 

[bnjrob]

It's getting really hot in Texas. I have my 3-4 week chick's in a coop closed up outside. It only has a small vent. Will they get to hot? I let them out for a while supervised but the run is messed up and I'm waiting for a replacement piece. Should I find something to rig it so I can the door open for them?

Yes, they need much more air than a small vent. They will cook closed up.

 

[orumpoultry]

LOL I've heard they are good eating but the price, GAH!  Twenty years or so ago, I got some of the little Cornish hens to make for a special dinner and they were so darn expensive for the amount of meat on them that quail has never been something I was willing to pay so much for since they were always more expensive than the little Cornish hens even.  I think quail are cute alive and all, but for practical purposes, I have to stick with my large fowl chickens and turkeys.  We just butchered roosters last week and I needed to use them as ground meat - and again I was reminded of how time consuming it is to get raw meat of the bones of heritage chickens because they have so much more, and stronger, connective tissue than the commercial chickens do.  I can't imagine trying to get the meat off of raw quail so you didn't have to have a freezer just for quail carcasses. 

We just breast our quail. It's way easier. The only time I take the effort to use the whole birds for something other than to feed the dogs: when we have company. Otherwise we breast and toss the dogs the rest. I usually keep feathers for jewelry or fly fishermen.

Yes, they need much more air than a small vent.  They will cook closed up.

Agreed. At three weeks in this heat you should be able to turn then out.