Who is keeping their chickens in the basement because of the heat?

[Chicky Monkey]

I have had to resort to partitioning a section of my basement for my seven chickens because the heat and humidity is SO bad here in Kansas. Even putting them in their portable pen in the shade with a large shop fan wasn't keeping them cool enough! They don't like it and keep causing a ruckus...scattering newspapers, knocking over their food, etc. When I go down to see what's going on, they look at me all innocent. Any suggestions for keeping them entertained down there? I've given them treats, put on relaxing music, put a yellow light on (they didn't like the flourescent lights...had to take them down), and put up a roost. I appreciate ANY suggestions!

 

[sharol]

Yeah, it's awful, isn't it? My girls are outside (don't have a basement), but I've given them shade and the free run of the yard and two misters. They are losing feathers and panting, but so far everyone is still healthy. They get a frozen waterer (with more water) a couple of times a day and I hose down part of the yard under the trees and keep it moist.

My little girls hoop has shade cloth and a mister to make a swamp cooler sort of thing, but of course that adds to the humidity. Now if I can just convince them to sleep on the roost instead of in the nest boxes (2 or 3 of them in each), maybe we will all survive.

What part of KS are you in?

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[Chicky Monkey]

How old are your girls? Could the feather loss be molting? I'm new to all this (first year with chickens) and have learned more from experience than from all the internet info and book reading!

 

[sharol]

I'm wondering about the molting. They are right at a year old. I would think it would be another month or two, but fewer feathers would have to feel better in this heat. Time will tell. It looks like this misery will continue for a couple more weeks. I actually got 3 eggs yesterday and today (with hope for a 4th today) from the 6 girls. I've been getting 2 since it got so hot.

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[Katy]

I'm in Kansas too and this heat has sent a lot of my hens into an earlier than normal molt this year. Mine have to stay outdoors.....too many for my basement.

 

[Nicole01]

I do! I've been bringing them in when it's 96-97 or above. I almost lost a few during our first heat wave. I have a nice setup/system downstairs for them. I let them "free range" in the basement every 1-2 hours during the day for an hour or so. I throw weeds, oats, sunflower seeds, grass, ect... for them to eat and walk around. I clean out their space(2 xl dog kennels side by side) every time I let them out and clean up behind them when roaming. I disinfect the basement floor once I put them back. It's a bit of work, but they are alive and super happy.

Luckily, our basement is unfinished.

I also have roosts in the dog kennels, which help with the spacing issue.

 

[redsoxs]

I haven't put mine inside. I'm in Kansas as well - it is a beast out there today. Not sure if the wind helps or hurts. Seems like it is lower humidity but the windy is a constant hot blast. My little guys are all rooster wannabees. They are approaching 16 weeks. Sometime between then and 20 weeks it will be processing time for them so I hope they hang on. They have congregated on the pavement in the shade on the back patio. About every hour I run water from the hose - they like to walk and lay it. Plus ice in their water and some frozen veggies once in awhile. They are hanging in there!

 

[Chicky Monkey]

I am in Johnson County, Kansas...Eastern part. I definitely think the wind helps, because without it, the humidity it SO oppressive! Wow...chickens with free-range of the whole basement? Lucky girls! Mine have a, maybe 20' X 20' area partitioned off....My husband said it's more than 15 X 15 (I don't know!) I get up by 6 a.m. to let my chickens outside for awhile, then put them in their portable pen in the shade and then bring them into the basement when I see them holding their mouths open. They are such good girls...so tolerant of all these changes and moves! I just LOVE them SO much! It's such a hassle, but I feel so good when I clean everything up and get the basement ready for them to come back inside. I like to wait until they are showing signs of being hot....they seem to appreciate the basement more! The first day they were down there, they were not happy!

 

[Blue]

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I thought it was a bit early for a molt, but both of my buff Orpingtons, as well as my black Ameraucana hen seem to be losing neck feather, and the Ameraucana is also losing them on her belly. Could it be a heat induced molt?

 

[Chicky Monkey]

Good grief! As if it's not enough to deal with bringing my chickens in because of the excessive heat & humidity, now I've had to take in a baby starling. I do not like starlings...they are loud, obnoxious and keep stealing my chickens' food! Oh, it's so ugly, but so pitiful because it was so hot! It's really too little to be out of the nest...I found one the same size nearby dead. The poor thing is really lethargic. The mother was near, but didn't protect it and we have lots of feral cats just next door. I do not believe in taking in babies when the mother is around, but I don't think this one stood a chance with a bad mom, feral cats and horrible heat. I hope I did the right thing.