When to go outside in hot weather?

[MollyDog01]

Actually chickens, if let out into the snow in winter are at a high risk of frostbite where their crowns, wattles and feet can freeze and literally drop or have to be cut off.


Chicken should not be out in the snow like this, because....

the crown on this roo is black because it froze.

Frostbite in their feet...

Really back frostbite, the feet are rotting off the chicken.

My birds don't set a claw in the snow around here!

Thankfully we have no snow in Australia, especially in our area. I didn't realise how much damage it could do to the chickens.

 

[MollyDog01]

Back to heat, we're supposed to be going through a heatwave this coming Sunday, well, I say 'heatwave' and 'Sunday', but I guess we're just at the peak of Summer because it's supposed to last five or so days - getting dangerously close to 40s (104ish) along Qld's East Coast and up to 46 (115ish) for the inland areas of Qld. Makes me a bit nervous for my Wyandotte, she was panting as she went to bed tonight and it was only 25 (77) degrees Celsius. This is going to be their first Summer, too.

Thank you. I will maybe NOT put my little guys out when I go to work for those days. I am only gone about 6 hours for 3 days a week, but I would rather play it safe and keep them in the house/garage. If they were to somehow knock the water, or start panting again as they did last week, I would not be around to bring them in and make sure they could recover. I hope your Wyandotte copes with the heat. It does make you nervous getting them through the first Aussie summer. My little guys are like my children. In fact I worry more about them because I know my kids can at least take care of themselves...lol. Thanks for the heads up about that heat wave!

 

[gander007]

So how is them little one's handling the heat is the wet towel working at all or did you try it and watermelon is great also and these guys will eat watermelon at the age of two weeks so you should be good to go and them guys are ready for a feed like turkey grow of 20% protein or a similar type of feed after what ever you have runs out as we try not to waste feed around here

gander007

 

[MollyDog01]

So how is them little one's handling the heat is the wet towel working at all or did you try it and watermelon is great also and these guys will eat watermelon at the age of two weeks so you should be good to go and them guys are ready for a feed like turkey grow of 20% protein or a similar type of feed after what ever you have runs out as we try not to waste feed around here

gander007

The little guys did really well outside until about 4pm yesterday. I did try the wet towel. I hung it over the run part of the cage and as well as keeping in cooler when the breeze came through it, it also provided a little bit more shade while the sun was high. I have a watermelon ready to go today so will cut that up and try them on that when the day is hot. We're like you, we won't waste the food we have but will certainly be changing it when this bag runs out. There are VERY hungry little guys now so it will be less than a week before they go through the current bag of food. I noticed yesterday while they were scratching around that they chased insects (and caught some) so they must be looking for more protein. They seem to be doing well through the day, I'm just cautious I keep the water up to them. Thanks for your tips.

 

[satay]

I put mine put on the grass during the day at 1 week old and they live on the grass full time by three weeks. In qld it is hot enough for them to be outside full time by that age.,

 

[MollyDog01]

I put mine put on the grass during the day at 1 week old and they live on the grass full time by three weeks. In qld it is hot enough for them to be outside full time by that age.,

Thanks for your tip. Do you find that they are ok overnight at 3 weeks as well? I'm concerned about the night temps dropping up here in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

 

[gander007]

The little guys did really well outside until about 4pm yesterday. I did try the wet towel. I hung it over the run part of the cage and as well as keeping in cooler when the breeze came through it, it also provided a little bit more shade while the sun was high. I have a watermelon ready to go today so will cut that up and try them on that when the day is hot. We're like you, we won't waste the food we have but will certainly be changing it when this bag runs out. There are VERY hungry little guys now so it will be less than a week before they go through the current bag of food. I noticed yesterday while they were scratching around that they chased insects (and caught some) so they must be looking for more protein. They seem to be doing well through the day, I'm just cautious I keep the water up to them. Thanks for your tips.

Sound's like you are following the advice you are receiving so every thing should work out for you and the little one's

Just keep us all updated and keep asking your question should they arise

gander007

 

[MollyDog01]

Sound's like you are following the advice you are receiving so every thing should work out for you and the little one's

Just keep us all updated and keep asking your question should they arise

gander007

Thank you...it's so good to have people to ask when I need help. Cheers!

 

[Stewarts]

Very glad I could help.

 

[satay]

Thanks for your tip. Do you find that they are ok overnight at 3 weeks as well? I'm concerned about the night temps dropping up here in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

yes mine are on the grass 24hour ours a day by 3 weeks.