Texas

[Nksg75]

We went to Home Depot and got some insulating styrofoam sheets (comes in 4x8 like plywood) fairly inexpensive, and put it inside our shed. Just doing the roof and back wall where the afternoon sun hit decreased the temp in there by 15 degrees and that was closed in completely with no ventilation.

Do you know what thickness you used?
I may give that a try.

 

[Nksg75]

You might try a mister instead of hosing it down.
My pheasants are in planted enclosures so I water my pens down almost every night, every other night for sure. All of my pens are setup so they get morning sun and afternoon shade but it still gets hot in the sheltered part of their pen. They dig huge holes all over the pen, and lay in the moist dirt. The main thing I notice is the amount of water they drink is doubled during the 104°F to 105°F days with a heat index of 108°F, other than that they handle the heat well.

Yes, the mister crossed my mind, however being so humid already, I thought the constant water from a mister would make heat stress worse. I can't remember where I read the info on heat-stress made worse with more humidity.
I have to grab my phone and post a pic of my coop.
If I do decide to use a mister, I have to place it far enough away from the food.

 

[Dandy's mom]

Roof is corrugated metal. One thing I should have mentioned is I have my chickens on another persons property, and I modified an existing structure. I am sure they would be ok, for me to modify it further, but not sure how much money I really want to invest on further structure modifications. I spent so much on hardwarecloth and failed to realize the metal was going to be a issue.
Here is a pic before all the fans were installed.

View attachment 1516734

I would say that roof is the issue. If you could line it with anything, it would help. That foam board is fairly inexpensive. I believe it was less than $10 for a 4x8 sheet. I didn't read the exact thickness, but I think it only came in one size. You might take that front metal piece off at the top as well. Chicken wire is really cheap per roll too. A roof vent is essential for letting heat out. Even flattened cardboard boxes would help block some of the heat from that metal roof.

 

[Nksg75]

I would say that roof is the issue. If you could line it with anything, it would help. That foam board is fairly inexpensive. I believe it was less than $10 for a 4x8 sheet. I didn't read the exact thickness, but I think it only came in one size. You might take that front metal piece off at the top as well. Chicken wire is really cheap per roll too. A roof vent is essential for letting heat out. Even flattened cardboard boxes would help block some of the heat from that metal roof.

Hey thanks, I never thought of that front flat piece. That's a great idea. I knoticed the back left wall seems to heat up. I was thinking about installing plywood on that side of the coop to reduce the heat coming from the metal.

 

[Dandy's mom]

Hey thanks, I never thought of that front flat piece. That's a great idea. I knoticed the back left wall seems to heat up. I was thinking about installing plywood on that side of the coop to reduce the heat coming from the metal.

Plywood might work, but it's expensive and heavy. I think the foam boarding is actually cheaper. Plus you can attach it to anything easily without worrying about collapse from weight

 

[Kiki]

Kiki,
Are you happy with ideal hatchery?
I am considering making a trip up there. I ordered from MPC, and am very happy with them, just really costly.

Yes! I really like Ideal and only order from them.

 

[Kiki]

Ahh, how many eggs did you set?
I assume you hatched them from that person inRosenberg?

No I actually did not get eggs from him. I did talk to him a couple of times but just wasn't too sure about him since I hadn't seen (investigated here on BYC) anyone hatch his eggs. I ended up ordering some from a buddy here on BYC. They were shipped, which I was originally totally against but I set 19 and had 3 clears and 3 quitters...13 babies!

 

[Kiki]

Quick question to those of you in south Texas. We all know the humidity is off the charts here, and hot as hell along with it.
I have an open air coop with 4 fans blowing shaded(cooler air), there are several trees providing shade to 1/2 of the coop.
Yet it still reaches 98*-99* inside the coop almost daily.
I do the usual things like putting ice in waterers(this only lasts so long in This heat), frozen treats, I let them free range about 5-6 hours a day.
I started hosing down one side of the coop floor, so the hens can lay in the cooler damp earth. This seems to help on a temporary basis, however I am worried in the long run am I just asking for trouble with this hosing down?
Humidity, wetness could be a breeding ground for coccidios.

I would stop getting it wet asap if I were you.
Breeding ground for nastiness.

Are you open on all four sides? I am only open on three with zero fans and my birds do fine. Are you fans all blowing against each other?

 

[Kiki]

New to BYC, and in the booming UNtropolis of Dobbin TX. Have 1 VERY spoiled Indian Runner named Dandy Lion who pretty much thinks she makes the rules. View attachment 1516674

Welcome! Dandy is too cute!

 

[Kiki]

We went to Home Depot and got some insulating styrofoam sheets (comes in 4x8 like plywood) fairly inexpensive, and put it inside our shed. Just doing the roof and back wall where the afternoon sun hit decreased the temp in there by 15 degrees and that was closed in completely with no ventilation.

I'm late to this party but this @Nksg75 .... It's the roof.
I agree with the think foam insulation type boards. I have been inside my friend's open air coop similar to yours and he has the foam stuff up under his metal roof and his does not get too hot.