Too hot help

[Pecky03]

I lost one of my girls the other night. I’ve been putting them up in their coop and closing the door because they were squawking all night and I thought they were feeling unsafe in their pen. I would put ice bottles up there to hopefully cool down the temperature but when I opened it up yesterday morning two came out and one was laying there. I’m heartbroken. So last night I brought the two girls left into the house to sleep. They seem fine and stopped breathing with her mouths open. But we are going to start hitting temps of 111°. Should I just keep them inside for a few of the hottest hours of the day? They’re locked in a crate with a perch, water and food.
They’re outside pen has plenty of shade, plenty of ventilation, a mister, frozen water bottles, ice water. I’m just wondering if there’s other things I can do to cool them down besides frozen treats, water bottles and a mister? I was thinking about getting a swamp cooler but not sure if that will work outside? everybody at the feed store and other owners that I know around me keeps saying that They’ll adjust and be fine and then I wake up to one dead. I can’t lose another one. I need to figure out something. I need help please.

 

[Kiki]

Can you post a few pictures of your coop?

Also what age are your birds?

Sorry for your loss.

 

[Pork Pie]

Take a look at these links:

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/788391/keeping-chickens-cool-in-summer-heat

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/topic-of-the-week-keeping-chickens-cool-in-summer.1181934/

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Is your run predator proof?
Yes, please post pictures of your coop.
Don't lock them in there if it's that hot with poor ventilation.
Sorry you lost one.

 

[Pecky03]

They are about four months old. one started laying eggs.

 

[Pecky03]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Is your run predator proof?
Yes, please post pictures of your coop.
Don't lock them in there if it's that hot with poor ventilation.
Sorry you lost one.

It’s protected from the coyotes and the neighborhood cats but the mice/rats can still get in. I just figured that the hens would attack them.

 

[Hobbits Mommie]

It’s protected from the coyotes and the neighborhood cats but the mice/rats can still get in. I just figured that the hens would attack them.

During the day, a rodent doesn't stand a chance against a chicken, however at night a chicken will actually allow a roden to feed on it, or even kill it without reacting. Hardware cloth on any areas of concern is the only real way to protect your flock.

 

[DobieLover]

It’s protected from the coyotes and the neighborhood cats but the mice/rats can still get in. I just figured that the hens would attack them.

Not in the dark. They can't defend themselves in the dark.
How and why are mice and rats getting in?

 

[DobieLover]

They are about four months old. one started laying eggs.

I still have to try to figure out how to post pictures and video because it’s telling me files not allowed

Video has to be uploaded to Youtube or similar format then you paste a link in your message.

I would just install a roost in the 1/2" HC portion of the run and leave them in there. Can you get a fan blowing on them? Have you had rats/mice get into the open bottom portion of your coop that is enclosed with HC?

 

[townchicks]

I'm sorry for your loss. I had the same thing happen to me a week ago. My girl was molting, so I think that added to the stress on her body. You are doing all the right things. I bring my girls inside when it is over 95 degrees, the day I lost mine it was in the mid nineties, but I didn't turn the mister on.Lesson learned. If you have an area for them to stay inside, do it.