What Cooling System to use for coop??

[TexasSilkies]

I have several silkies who are getting heat exhaustion when it gets above 70* here in Texas. There coop seems to be approximately 10* hotter than outside temps. There is shade, water, ventilation, dehumidifier, and airflow throughout the coop but they are panting. They are not always going to be in their coop but considering it gets 105* here in the summers, I need to be planning for something asap. There is access to electricity out there so I would be okay with using a unit if i knew what to get. I dont want to spend over $100. Does anyone use or recommend a portable AC unit/cooling system, etc. that they have been successful with?

Coop is 8x4x6h.

Thanks!

 

[SonoranChick]

I would look for a swamp cooler instead of an AC unit. Check Craigslist to maybe find a decent used one. There is also a large portable cooler that you can hook up to your hose, called "port-a-cool", and those will work but can be pricey new. Good luck keeping it cool It is an ongoing battle for us here in southern AZ.

 

[jthornton]

@SonoranChick Swamp coolers work much better in dry places like where you live and not so well in places with > 50% humidity.

JT

 

[SonoranChick]

You're right @jthornton. I was thinking a swamp cooler would be better because they are usually cheaper price wise, and OP said there was good ventilation. But OP also has a dehumidifier, which tells me it's humid...which means an AC might be best

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

The problem with dehumidifiers is that they put heat into the room unless they are somehow vented to the outside, which I don't think is realistic.

 

[AmazingRachel]

Try insulating the coop walls with .5 in. foam insulation boards and cover it with thin ply board so they won't peck/eat it. It may seem counterproductive but insulation keeps the coop warm in the cold but also keeps the coop cool when it's warm. We did this with our coop and it stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer. (metallic/reflective side is put in facing the inside of the coop/blue side is is place against the exterior wall).
I would recommend doing this sooner rather than later since I know that the Dallas-Fort Worth area can get up to over 100* in the summer. In cases where it's over 100*, I would put some electrolytes in their water as a precautionary measure.

 

[Pater est Pullis]

What about fans to cool chickens on the roost and run?

 

[Mimi13]

What about fans to cool chickens on the roost and run?

In the terrible Alabama heat I have a fan running IN the coop (even at night) and one running in a portion of the run.

 

[Hopperkiller]

Living 40 miles north of you I find the open windows and a larger 4x6 foot screened opening do well for mine. They are free ranged during the day and spend from about 11am to 4 under shrubs in holes they dug in flower beds. I generally run a soaker hose every few days on the west bed. They will play in that when it's on. I don't know what silkies requirements are or if you can free range but thick shrubs with watered flower beds do help. By the way they hit the shrubs and I hit shade on their signal.

There are mister fans but I don't know how well they work for poultry. Works well for dogs and livestock.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

The dehumidifier in your coop concerns me. They put out a lot of heat.