Vegas Fires! Smoke and Ash Everywhere!

[Sin City Chicks]

We live in Northwest Las Vegas, and our area is being affected by the wildfires in the mountains to the west of us. They have been going on for over a week, and are over 15,000 acres. Due to the recent wind change, all the smoke and ash that was initially being blown to the north has now shifted and is covering our entire area. Since chickens are prone to respiratory conditions, I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to protect them. Should I bring them inside on days like today when the smoke is this bad? Right now looking up at the sky, it looks like it is overcast with glowing orange and red clouds, and tiny bits of ash are starting to fall. Will this severely affect my girls or will they be ok? I am worried they will get sick...

I am new to raising chickens, so I honestly don't have any idea what to do other than bring them inside.

 

[Araucana16]

Do you have a garage? When it was cold, I used to put my hens in the garage. They were fine, even though it's kinda a mess and filled with just about everything. It took me forever to find them, clever girls

They would probably like that. If you have a place like I do, a clear spot on top of a trailer they can reach/often go to, you can supply food and water there.


One thing : if you have tons of chickens, like 15, and a very messy, ramshack garage, and they are laying.... good luck!

 

[realsis]

If they were mine I'd likely bring them inside until the air is clean. I had to bring my flock inside because our tempatures have been into the 111 degrees and I'm afraid it will kill them. So yes I'd bring them inside and not chance them getting sick. Its probably the best thing to do in my opinion. I wish you the best and hope this is helpful to you.

 

[Sin City Chicks]

My girls are still pullets and are only about 14 weeks old, give or take (we bought them from the feed store) so they are not laying yet. Our garage is packed, plus we keep the Jeep in there, so putting them in the garage is not really an option. I think I will bring them inside for the night and let them sleep in the brooder (it's still big enough for them to have room to sleep). We are expecting some monsoons to come through the area over the next 3 days so we are hoping that this will not only help control the wildfires, but will help clear the air. Thanks to you both for the advice, it made me feel less like a paranoid mama.

 

[Araucana16]

We have a packed garage + car in there, and they find places

 

[Sin City Chicks]

Lol, well my DH probably isn't interested in figuring out where the girls are first thing in the morning so he doesn't run them over with his Jeep on his way off to work.

 

[Araucana16]

Oh, yeah, chicken soup would be brutal....

 

[LTygress]

I would be less worried about running over them, and more worried about finding one trying to lay an egg in the back seat... when he was already halfway to work.

If they are already trying to roost, they won't be on the ground at all to be run over. And if they aren't roosting yet, they will find the tightest corner, and pile up in it. Open spaces like around jeep tires aren't appealing.

Not sure why either. Silly birds...

 

[Araucana16]

Yeah, mine usually hung out on a bike hanging from the ceiling

 

[LTygress]

Our biggest problem with keeping chickens in storage areas, is all of the poop!