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Barnyard Buddies:  Keeping Chickens cool  |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 24 2008 : 3:05:23 PM
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This is my first year to have chickens and Arkansas summers can get pretty hot! We can be over 100 most of the end of July and early august. Usually in the upper 90's the rest of the time. Today was in the low 90's and my poor girls just seem hot!
Yesterday I moved thier tractor to a "cooler" location. They are beside a weeping willow. They have full sun until about noon and then partial shade til about 4 and full shade after that. 4-6 seems to be the hottest time of the day.
I have been putting fresh water out every afternoon so it is cool for the hot part of the day. I have also been freezing grapes to give as a treat in the afternoon. Today they looked so hot so I took an old roasting pan (oh the irony!) and filled the bottom with ice cubes and put in about 2 inches of water. The cubes melted in about 15 minutes but even an hour later the water still is very cool. The girls seem to really enjoy this. I'm gonna pick up a fan for the coop tomorrow.
Is there anything else I need to do? I would hate to loose one of my girls to the heat.
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
Felt and Fabric Crafts
www.willowartist.etsy.com
www.willowtreecreek.com
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2008 : 4:04:51 PM
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Sounds like you are doing everything right. Mine love to get some cool water a couple times in the afternoon on hot days.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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PlumCreekMama
True Blue Farmgirl
730 Posts
Heather
Iowa
USA
730 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2008 : 8:05:46 PM
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Yep, I agree with Jenny, you are doing everything right. Chickens cool themselves by dipping their beaks in cool water, so the ice water you are giving them sounds perfect. The frozen grapes are a great idea too!
http://plumcreekmama.blogspot.com/ |
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Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2008 : 9:11:56 PM
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You sure are pampering your gals; they are lucky to have you keeping such a good eye out for them. I've lost many to heat, and the best they have done is when they have free range in the yard and access to water/ shade as they please. Since I started letting them out during the summer, they are much happier (alive!). I am guessing they would much prefer your frozen grapes, though. ;)
Funny Farm ramblings www.happydalehobby.blogspot.com/
www.tvalahandmade.com
The Soap Deck: http://blog.tvalahandmade.com/
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MsCwick
True Blue Farmgirl
775 Posts
Cristine
Farmville
Virginia
USA
775 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2008 : 09:05:11 AM
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| When my dad raised commercial chickens there would be 6 fans along the length of the house blowing one way or another. I would think a box fan would just help the air circulate for them pretty well. In the commercial houses, they would suffocate because of being so confined, but I'm sure even a fan outside would help a whole lot! |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2008 : 4:34:20 PM
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Sounds like you are on the right track - I also give a spinkler in the tall grass so the can run thru it and also sit in to cool tall grass. If the have a shaded place with sand for them to sit in and roll in that helps with their temp. I also change feed schedules for all the animals - very early in the morning and after the sun goes down - that way their internal temp is not rising when it is hot outside. Fans are great and you do not need a huge on just keep that air moving.
Good luck - today we were very hot and this evening the girls are getting shredded carrots that have been in the freezer today - they love them.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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NancyM
True Blue Farmgirl
113 Posts
Nancy
Fall City
WA
113 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2008 : 9:57:40 PM
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It sounds like you are doing a great job for your girls. Is there any way you can give them access to some shade in the morning too? My girls pretty much spend all day in the shade when it gets even a little hot.
Frozen grapes and a swimming pool? What time shall I be over
Nancy
Farmgirl Sister #159 |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
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HAINAngel2000
True Blue Farmgirl
157 Posts
Mary
Sweet Home
OR
USA
157 Posts |
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Homespun Livin
True Blue Farmgirl
409 Posts
Brenda
Louisiana
USA
409 Posts |
Posted - Jun 29 2008 : 6:53:08 PM
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Not sure if this would be helpful, but when I was raising Rex rabbits I would freeze 2 liter bottles of water to put in the cages for them to snuggle up to. So, when I had some laying hens, I tried the same thing with them and they loved it! They would sit beside the frozen bottles and I could tell they were relieved. I also did the changing water several times a day as well. Just another idea.
"Love one another." |
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eskimobirdlady
True Blue Farmgirl
700 Posts
connie
fairbanks
ak
USA
700 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2008 : 5:04:58 PM
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| i wish i had that problem! usually it is quite warm here int eh interior of alaska for the summer months but this year its been wet and cold! so cold the garden is really struggling! i got chicks about 3 weeks ago and have had to keep their pen covered with a tarp and the heat lamp on at all times! ooooh i hate to see the next power bill!! i agree with molly that if you possibly can let them free range and they will find places to cool themselves. peace connie in alaska |
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Barnyard Buddies: Keeping Chickens cool |
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Keeping Chickens cool
