The Quotidian Chicken

[Wynter Willow]

She's eating and drinking and alert, so I'm pretty hopeful considering she was barely conscious when I found her and couldn't really do much more than twitch and open her eyes.

Unfortunately we're due for some extreme heat over the next few days, so I'm hesitant to put her back out very quickly, because it would be just terrible to bring her back from the brink then lose her because I put her out too soon. In the meantime, I'm shoring up my shade and water routine so that none of her friends experience what she went through.

I try to do everything possible to keep them cool, but it's hard and Phoenix heat is unforgiving. I expect to lose a chicken at some point every summer, but I've already paid my dues for this year with Helga's mother dying when it hit 118 a little over a month ago, along with my most promising Aloha cockerel.

I put out block ice, I fill wading pools, I put up shade, I make mud zones for them to scratch in, but it's just never quite enough. Hoping when some of my sapling trees grow up a bit, they'll provide more natural shade because I feel like part of the problem is that my chicken space is too open.

I am so sorry to hear this. You are doing so much to help keep the chickens cool. 118!!! That is crazy! When it’s that hot, there is no escaping it outside. I can only imagine how stressful this must be.

 

[Wynter Willow]

Here is Henrietta sitting in her favorite Basil plant. She looks so sweet and plump here. Henrietta is the leader of the flock. She is super assertive and sassy.

 

[ChickyCh00k]

She's eating and drinking and alert, so I'm pretty hopeful considering she was barely conscious when I found her and couldn't really do much more than twitch and open her eyes.

Unfortunately we're due for some extreme heat over the next few days, so I'm hesitant to put her back out very quickly, because it would be just terrible to bring her back from the brink then lose her because I put her out too soon. In the meantime, I'm shoring up my shade and water routine so that none of her friends experience what she went through.

I try to do everything possible to keep them cool, but it's hard and Phoenix heat is unforgiving. I expect to lose a chicken at some point every summer, but I've already paid my dues for this year with Helga's mother dying when it hit 118 a little over a month ago, along with my most promising Aloha cockerel.

I put out block ice, I fill wading pools, I put up shade, I make mud zones for them to scratch in, but it's just never quite enough. Hoping when some of my sapling trees grow up a bit, they'll provide more natural shade because I feel like part of the problem is that my chicken space is too open.

Sorry your girl is suffering! The heat is so hard on these poor birds. If you are looking for heat tolerance, lots of personality, and non-stop egg laying, white Leghorns are where it's at!

This is Powder (my husband named her...not a creative bone in his body ). She hasn't skipped a day since she started laying and she is fairly unbothered by the heat that most of my others get stressed by.

AZ heat is a whole other beast and I can't imagine trying to keep chickens safe in the temps you get...You and Helga, and the rest of your flock will be in my thoughts!

 

[Pigeony]

Here is Henrietta sitting in her favorite Basil plant. She looks so sweet and plump here. Henrietta is the leader of the flock. She is super assertive and sassy.

I'm amazed there's anything left of that basil plant! My chickens would shred it if they were given access to a potted basil, and then they'd dustbath in the pot afterwards lol.

 

[Pigeony]

Sorry your girl is suffering! The heat is so hard on these poor birds. If you are looking for heat tolerance, lots of personality, and non-stop egg laying, white Leghorns are where it's at!

This is Powder (my husband named her...not a creative bone in his body ). She hasn't skipped a day since she started laying and she is fairly unbothered by the heat that most of my others get stressed by.
View attachment 4201614
AZ heat is a whole other beast and I can't imagine trying to keep chickens safe in the temps you get...You and Helga, and the rest of your flock will be in my thoughts!

Powder is a beauty! Helga is doing well today, and I've put her back out in her pen with her friends. Keeping an eye on her and checking on her often, and providing lots of ways for them all to cool off. She seems pleased to be back with her flock.

 

[Wynter Willow]

I'm amazed there's anything left of that basil plant! My chickens would shred it if they were given access to a potted basil, and then they'd dustbath in the pot afterwards lol.

I got the picture before it was destroyed. Yes, I think basil is their favorite herb. this is the two right after the photo. i will need to keep like 5 in rotation. They really like lemon thyme and sweet mint. Sage, not at all. Lavender and rosemary are ok.. but, not all the time.

 

[Wynter Willow]

Powder is a beauty! Helga is doing well today, and I've put her back out in her pen with her friends. Keeping an eye on her and checking on her often, and providing lots of ways for them all to cool off. She seems pleased to be back with her flock. View attachment 4201638

Oh, good! I was thinking about Helga this morning. I am so happy she is on the mend! The flock is beautiful! I am assuming Powder is the white beauty in the back?

 

[Pigeony]

I am assuming Powder is the white beauty in the back?

Powder is not my bird, that was about @CheekyChooky 's white leghorn she posted in response to my other post. I have not actually named the whiter Aloha pullet in the back yet.

 

[Pigeony]

Pool party

 

[Wynter Willow]

Oh, good! I was thinking about Helga this morning. I am so happy she is on the mend! The flock is beautiful! I am assuming Powder is the white beauty in the back?

Ok. I see cute little Powder now in the earlier post.

View attachment 4202343
Pool party

look at them all. Party

View attachment 4202343
Pool party