Too hot in spring?

[babyrnlc]

Ok, so we were in the high 70's yesterday. We had the chicken out free ranging and they looked hot kind of panting. They had plenty of water and shade. Anytime it gets over 75, they act real hot.

I live in OK, it gets over 100 many times in the summer and at least 90 the rest of the days. If they are hot now, how will they ever handle the summer?

 

[7L Farm]

I have RIR chickens & last summer it was brutal here in Texas. I built my coop under a big tree which I'm glad I did .I have a bunch of trees they stay under because of the heat. Chickens have a big problem in the summer because they can't take their down jackets off. You can put ice in their water-ers. I grow watermelons & cantaloupes. I would put the melons in the icebox's & cut them open & feed them to the flock. My chickens did well in the heat. Its already been in the 80's here. But its gonna be 40 tonight. Just make sure you have plenty of fresh water for them. I have water stations for mine because they free range daily. I also gave them cold cucumbers as well.

 

[babyrnlc]

Quote:
Thanks I will try that. It was almost 80 yes and today it is not even 60. Then we will be in in the 70s and 80s all week. It will get down to the 50s though. I just find it odd that they are so miserable and it hasnt even started yet!

This winter they did great. Happy as can be not light, no heat! They even played around in the snow.

 

[Ruth Ann]

It is hot here all summer. Last year I used frozen juice bottles almost all summer.
I keep a supply in the freezer for them. They seemed to like to stand on them...or snuggle up to them.