Well, I THOUGHT the heat had finally gotten to them

[gritsar]

Yesterday I posted about how worried I was that the girls wouldn't use their nestboxes since I installed a fan and they dislike change in their coop. Nobody that replied seemed to think it would be a problem.
I've checked twice today and no eggs, so I was assuming they were scared off by the fan or the heat was finally taking its toll and they were going to stop laying for awhile.
Each time I checked I only saw one hen on the nest. She was in the hidden box, which is not near the fan and enclosed, so it's hard to tell which hen is in it without getting down on the floor.
The hen finally got off the nest and there were 11 eggs in that nest!

I have 13 hens!
So yes, apparently they are afraid of the fan but not the heat.

 

[Katy_didnot]

LoL. Glad the mystery is solved.

 

[gritsar]

Yep, apparently the fan is not a big hit with the girls. Ungrateful beasts!

 

[Dr.Doorlock]

We are having "triple digit temps" lately an the egg production has dropped from 7 to 8 per day (I have 7 RIRs and one game hen) down to 4 today and 3 the day before. I have a ister to help them get through this, but it must not be enough. With proper shade and shelter as well as ice in their water and watermelon each day still leave them in danger?

 

[b.hromada]

Those silly girls! I'd think they'd like the fan??

Oh well, maybe they will get used to it after a little while. Being cooler sure is better than killer heat, I'd think. lol. Glad you found all those eggs too!

 

[TexasVet]

Dr.Doorlock :

We are having "triple digit temps" lately an the egg production has dropped from 7 to 8 per day (I have 7 RIRs and one game hen) down to 4 today and 3 the day before. I have a ister to help them get through this, but it must not be enough. With proper shade and shelter as well as ice in their water and watermelon each day still leave them in danger?

Don't know what to tell you. I've been misting, putting up shade cloth, putting ice in the waterers, you name it. All the hens are panting, but only my RIR has died. Had someone in a neighboring town tell me her RIR died too. I don't think they're hardy enough for the unbelievable heat we've been having.

Surprisingly, my heavily feathered cochins are the least affected.

Kathy, Bellville TX
www.CountryChickens.com​

 

[Judy]

Dr.Doorlock :

We are having "triple digit temps" lately an the egg production has dropped from 7 to 8 per day (I have 7 RIRs and one game hen) down to 4 today and 3 the day before. I have a ister to help them get through this, but it must not be enough. With proper shade and shelter as well as ice in their water and watermelon each day still leave them in danger?

The important things for mine seem to be good air flow (I use a box fan and have large areas of wall made of hardware cloth) and shade. Misters are great if they will accept them and get under them, though.​

 

[gritsar]

Another thing I'd like to mention. Be as careful as you possibly can that nothing stresses your hens out in this insufferable heat.
I pretty much leave mine alone in the heat of the day right now. No trying to pick them up, no feeding frenzies from feeding treats. Let them be quiet and rest in the shade.
Thanks for the reminder. I forgot to turn their fan on this morning.

 

[gritsar]

Also, we recycled the kiddie's wading pool that was my chooks first brooder. We filled it with about 4 inches of water and it's sitting in the shade. The chickens stand in it to cool their bodies thru their feet.

 

[TexGardenGirl]

Quote:
And if you don't have a wading pool you can also use large plant saucers (like 12-16"). We kept talking about getting a wading pool, but we have no kids & never think about shopping where we might find a pool, then DH realized we could use the plant saucers. It took the chickens a few days to figure out to stand in it. I actually picked one up and set her in there, and she stepped right out. But after a few days I started catching them in there all the time. When I come in the pen with fresh cool water they hang around and wait for me to refill it so they can step in the cool water.