Utah!

[iPickYupik]

Hatch complete and we already have a new batch in thanks to Lisa. There's all my cuties! <3 The last one to hatch had clubbed feet. She's the one laying down. Hopefully the bandages I put on will get her fixed up quickly.

 

[lizardandchicks]

With how hot it has been, our chickens have been really hot. Our friend actually had to chickens die yesterday from being overheated. Other than giving them frozen treats (watermelon, grapes, etc) and providing water and changing it frequently, is there anything we can do to help protect them?

 

[Cynthia12]

With how hot it has been, our chickens have been really hot. Our friend actually had to chickens die yesterday from being overheated. Other than giving them frozen treats (watermelon, grapes, etc) and providing water and changing it frequently, is there anything we can do to help protect them?

Wet down the coop roof..water it down! If they are nesting in boxes that are hot, close those off, make some other type of nesting area for them. If you can't do this, put frozen water bottles in the nest boxes..I have several frozen in my freezer that I will put out once I go see if they haven't all laid yet. They are fine in the mornings. Of course, all of the windows and doors are open.

Wet down areas that they can go kick up some mud. I wet down under the apple trees really well yesterday, soaked it under there. That's pretty much where they stayed. If you have an area that can be kept wet where they have to walk to food, keep it damp, or even a puddle.

I have actually sprayed my girls down the last couple of days.

Don't give them any other treats right now other than cool fruits and veggies. I bought grapes yesterday, will freeze some for them later.

Water, water, everywhere! Put it out all over the place, keep it cool. I have bowls of ice frozen ice also, I put that in a couple of their bowls of water once it starts heating up..into the 80's. While you are waiting for things to freeze in the freezer..keep their water cool by putting fresh in.

I find the wetting down an area for them is what they like best. Just soak it. They will go to it.

Sounds like a lot of work, but once you have the bowls and water bottles frozen, it really isn't. Just water everything down really good out there for them.

 

[newmarch2014]

These are my heat beating tactics. I freeze a yogurt container full of water, or a milk jug or whatever plastic I have and then put that in the coop early in the day in a hole that keeps it in place and slightly angled for easy access. I have seen each chicken visit it multiple times a day to drink the available cold water and some lay close to it or perch on it for a bit. I also take a chicken that looks too warm and stand them in the dog kiddie pool and get their underside wet to cool them off. I have misted the coop entirely with the hose to cool everything down. I have a 5 gallon bucket waterer with bottom nipples, they have learned they get a bit wet when they walk under it so they do it often and I have dropped a frozen water bottle in there also. Frozen water bottles in the nesting boxes covered in straw, propping open the nesting box lid with a flat 2x4 to create a draw of air but keep them safely in. Of course chilled watermelon rinds and frozen berries.

 

[the-bird-man]

i ran a misting line in my run. cools the run down a lot and does not take too much water. it was like $20 at lowes and hooks up to the hose. it drops the temp by around 20 degrees. if you wanted you could even buy a timer for it so its not going all day. i also planted grapes for shade. and be careful what you feed as things like corn heat them up. also make sure they can dust bath as the earth is normally cooler

 

[Cynthia12]

I am liking the frozen plastic jug..and that mister..only 20 dollars? Have to look into that too!
I have a soaker hose, have placed it under the apple trees. They liked that last yr. Should get it out.

I also thought of something else. Keep that coop clean..that poo can generate heat. Yep. :/

 

[sideWing]

i ran a misting line in my run. cools the run down a lot and does not take too much water. it was like $20 at lowes and hooks up to the hose. it drops the temp by around 20 degrees. if you wanted you could even buy a timer for it so its not going all day. i also planted grapes for shade. and be careful what you feed as things like corn heat them up. also make sure they can dust bath as the earth is normally cooler

Great idea on the mister. I will have to look into that.

 

[the-bird-man]

here is the system. i got one that was $25 that comes with a drain but i am not fully sure its needed and plus they did not have this one when i got it. its well built and gives you good coverage. seen them at cal ranch too but i believe they cost more there. i just wired it to my run. up high and it drops down and cools all the air. does not totally make a mud pit as its not that much water. makes it more enjoyable to sit with the girls http://www.lowes.com/pd_17738-74985-30510L___?productId=3732651&pl=1&Ntt=misting+systems

 

[Cynthia12]

Sold my RIR Pullet.

 

[the-bird-man]

so after about 12 weeks of being broody my silver pencil rock called it quits. she did take a one day break in the middle of it tho. i should of broke her of it sooner but she was doing ok, was still eating and being nice. but yeah never had one go that long before. thing is if she would of gone broody a week before she could of raised my chicks lol. she was born to be a mom and one day will get that chance