Chickens in the heat

[catjac1975]

The heat index is going to be 105 today. The humidity has been unbearable for weeks now. I have not seen it often but, my chickens were panting at 9AM. I gave them fresh cold water but it will not stay cold for long. They have lots of shade and green weeds to munch on. Some of my old ladies were suffering. As they came running to the fresh water I had the bright idea to hose them down. Though they went running they looked better at once and started rolling in their dirt holes. One giant rooster stood under the hard spray, drinking up the splashes. He came back a few minutes later and stood for more. I think he would have stood there all day! I will do what I can this morning and then hibernate in the guest room with the AC on.

 

[thistlebloom]

That would have made a good picture Cat...a rooster enjoying a hosing!

It's going to be hot here too. Not hot like a lot of you have, but hot for all us heat weenies in the NW.

I have a whole day of outside work top do at home today so I am just gonna have to swill ice tea I guess.

Stay cool! :coolsun

 

[lesa]

How funny! My chicken yard has grown in so much, that is actually quite pleasant and shady. Nice even with the 90's we have been having... A few years ago it was bare ground- and it got mighty hot.

 

[baymule]

I live in the hot, humid, Gulf coast area. I water down a good mudhole for my girls to give them cool damp earth to dig in. I also give them a pot of water with a scoop of dogfood in it. They love diving for dogfood and it gets them to drink more water.

If you can give your girls any frozen melons or cucumbers, it would help them cool off. I freeze watermelon rinds, cantaloupe peelings, etc and they love them. I call it chicken popcicles!

 

[catjac1975]

FUNNY!

I live in the hot, humid, Gulf coast area. I water down a good mudhole for my girls to give them cool damp earth to dig in. I also give them a pot of water with a scoop of dogfood in it. They love diving for dogfood and it gets them to drink more water.

If you can give your girls any frozen melons or cucumbers, it would help them cool off. I freeze watermelon rinds, cantaloupe peelings, etc and they love them. I call it chicken popcicles!

 

[vfem]

Yep... totally hot here today too. I went out and hosed down their run and got it nice and muddy. Chickens release excess heat through their wattles, combs and feet since they don't sweat. So keep their feet cool and they'll be fine. Even though its really messy!

 

[bj taylor]

misters are great too. they use so little water, but create a small zone of refreshment for the birds. it's been so humid here the last few days. I cleaned the coop today - I hope those darn girls appreciate the sweat. it's nice & clean, the fan has been moved to a better angle & the roost situation has been changed a little. little beasties :coolsun

 

[journey11]

I lost a hen to the heat once. She was very big and fluffy and it was harder on her than the others. It was very shocking and traumatic to find her like that. So yeah, frequently checking on them and some intervention is required on hot days like these. Fresh, cold water being the most important. There have been times where it was bad enough that I felt they stood a better chance if I just turned them loose s they could go find some shady brush to crawl under and sprawl out...even at the risk of my tomatoes. I guess I'd rather lose a few tomatoes than a few chickens.

I also have a new water hose nozzle this year that has a mist setting. I can put that up in their tractor if I need to. It wouldn't use much water at all.

 

[dewdropsinwv]

It's been pretty humid here too the past few weeks!!! My girls hav done good until the last 4 or 5 days when it hits 90 or so... I make sure they have fresh col water several times a day. I have ice packs I keep frozen and put them in the water containers around noon, that seems to keep their water cold/ cool for a few hours.

 

[desertlady]

Having chickens in desert is hard, but they survived, I used cat littler box as a swimming pool for them! I used spray mister, and I hosed them down once in a while, They hate that but they know it feels good after . I dig up dirt near shade for them to have their dirt baths, it does keep them cool.. oh yes watermelons and canteloupe for summer treats !