What's "too warm" for meaties?

[Sabz]

I am having major problems this year with heat.

I lost 2 chickens last week. For water, I use the chicken nipples (vertical, at the bottom of a bucket like this):
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61c1f3-elZL._SX425_.jpg

It seemed like the nipples wouldn't give out enough water (or I didn't have enough) so now I have a bucket with these:

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/Mzc5WDM0OA==/z/0V4AAMXQTghRJlHG/$(KGrHqRHJFEFEklfUrhkBRJlHGL0Qg~~60_35.JPG



And I stopped losing chickens until yesterday, where I lost 1. Because of the second water system, there is more water in the wood shavings, so I have to clean a lot more. I can't keep up with the humidity.... but again, outside it is 32C and 83% humidity. Even with the best coop ventilation in the world, how could I get cooler and drier than outside?! Unless I'd put A/C in the coop?!?!

Even in my home, that cost a WHOLE LOT more than my coop and has plenty of ventilation, it is warm and humid.

I have no idea how to keep my coop cooler I used to leave the chickens outside and last week I had a predator in my run so I have to reinforce it. I am working on that, but today it's still very warm and they are currently inside the coop.. I am at work so can't check on the chickens

I imagine some people in the south must have even worst temperatures then I do. What do you do? I was thinking of solar powered fans? That could resist water, since there tends to be storms everyday recently, from all the heat and humidity..

 

[JediJinx]

I have only lost one CX and I believe due to heat - it was 87F - they were outside with a little shade but we hung a tarp on one side of the run to make more shade for them. They absolutely need plenty of air movement - they are not getting enough oxygen with the weight on their vital organs. I would if I were you put a simple FAN in the window or other convenient place in the coop if they are not outside. We have a large coop with windows on 3 sides and the chickens still prefer to stay outside in the shade because of the air movement.

 

[Sabz]

Ok. Thanks! I will work on the pen tonight, until I pass out from exhaustion if required! hehe

It is 30C, feels like 37C right now. Crazy.

Next year I am getting the chickens earlier, before the july heat starts!

 

[JediJinx]

Good idea! I am planning a pvc pipe hoop coop for next year so I can have many more CX. The 6 I got this year were just to see what I thought of them vs the buckeyes.

 

[Sabz]

Oh God, I'm so tired! hahah I hope they are happy and safe now.

I reinforced it with some 1/4 wire cloth. I was searching on this forum and there was some debate on the 1 inch holes, so I decided to go with 1/2 inch, but there wasn't any left at the store... so I ended up with 1/4. Nothing can get through that, but I didn't have enough to finish, so I have a section that is double chicken wire. Hopefully it will be ok at least until I get home.

They have plenty of water and shade!

Finally do you prefer the cornish or buckeye?

 

[snow5164]

I put a fan in my coop. It is supposed to be mounted in a wall but we sat it on a shelf so we can blow in or out depending on the season. Agriculture fans run $200 here because the motor is enclosed and it dropped the temp only 5 degrees but it feels cooler .the girls are noticabley cooler

 

[Sabz]

Good idea for the fan.
I had a brain fart when I built my coop.

The electrical outlet is near the ground.... It's ok in winter for my layers. They are calm chicks I just put a plexiglass cover on top of it if I plug a heater (I mean on top of the electrical outlet and the cord).

But with these big meaties, I'm afraid. I'm sure they would knock down the fan, or twist their feet in the cord or.. get the plexiglass off and then put wood shavings in the outlet.

Most the coop was well thought (I find, after using it), but.. not that part


Everyone is OK since 2 days now. In the run during the day. No intruders yet! No deaths.
It's good I took time to fix the run the other night. Yesterday we beat some heat records here. 37C on the thermometer, so "feels like 43C" or something like that. Crazy!!! Poor chickens.

Next year they will be culled before the july heats. So much work for me, not so fun for them...
Just cleaning the coop when it's 37C leaves me with no forces afterwards. Forced to take a beer and relax!

 

[enola]

I am in SC, my chickens have a box fan that is fastened to a cinder block with a nylon cord to the ceiling for stability. My chickens I've to lay in the bedding wher the breeze blows. They love the fan!

 

[snow5164]

We had to tack up our electric cord because one morning it had been pulled out from behind the fan and was hanging down.... That's what we get for giving them a swing

everything's a toy now.

 

[enola]

My cord is run up the side of the fan and held in place with duct tape. Then is extended to the ceiling supported by nylon cord. Chickens will definitely do the same things curious kids will do. Yep, EVERYTHING is a toy!