It is so hot. This is the time of year .. well, from about the end of June til the first of October, when I wish I could talk to original folks who settled in Texas and ask them WHY? Why did you stay here? Why do people live where it gets so hot, so dry and with so many evil bugs and critters? They would probably ask me the same thing. I halfway have a choice . . or I will when Vince retires. I can’t imagine living here back when there was no running water, no air conditioning, no pest control, no black lights for finding scorpions, no mosquito spray. Yes . . my question to myself is . . Why the heck are you here? Of course, it’s the job, but I wouldn’t be one bit surprised if even after Vince retires, we stay here. There’s a whole lot about Texas that I love but it is not the heat and the bugs.
Anyway . . I had a blog post in my head before I got off on that “I don’t like summertime in Texas” thought.
Chicken Pool
This is not the first time I’ve caught this chicken in one of the water containers. We have about a dozen different water containers around for the chickens. Most of them are more traditional waterers but when it’s this hot, I put water in everything I can find for them. Our water comes from about 150 – 180 feet underground and it’s cold so I go out 4 or 5 times a day and give them fresh water. When it’s 107º outside, who wants to drink water that’s 107º or warmer.
After seeing that hen in the water container again, I came back in and asked Vince if I could put a little pool outside for them. He didn’t care.
Chicken Pool
I didn’t put much water in it and we’ll see if/when they get in. The sides are a bit tall. I may go by the dollar stores tomorrow and see if they have a shorter sided pool but I’m thinking all the pools are gone by now. Maybe I won’t go.
Buckeye
Buckeyes are known for being nosy and there she goes . . over to check it out.
Dominiques
The Dominiques are all standing way back .. being chicken! 🙂 They’re going to let the Buckeyes check it and see how that turns out.
Nosy Buckeye
One of them walked right up to it but last time I checked, none had tested the waters. Last time I went out there, the same hen was in the same water container . . again.
Speaking of pools . .
Vince in Addie’s Pool
After Addie left, Vince scrubbed down the pool and then decided he’d just fill it up and sit in it for a while. How do you like his plastic bucket that he’s using for a table for his water cup?
The pool is now all packed away . . all that remains is dead grass/weeds.
Pool Was Here!
. . a reminder that they have come and gone and I miss them every minute of every day! But, we had fun and I’m counting down the days til I see them again. It’s barely weeks . . I could get used to seeing them so often.
dezertsuz says
Are they coming, or are you going? Your chickens are so funny! I was wondering about taking the top of a birdbath, just the round part, and sort of sinking it into ground level for the chickens. The clay wouldn’t get as hot as metal, would it?
pattilynn9 says
Oh, Vince looks COOL!
Maybe the chickens need a little plank…or a step beside the pool? lol…how crazy!
Sherrill says
My niece has a pool out but think it’s mostly for the dogs to drink (they also have a people inground swimming pool). Don’t think the chickens have ever gone near it when they’re ‘free ranging’. Maybe since you’re giving the chicks their own pool, they need shades (have you ever seen chicken sunglasses? Thought it was hilarious first time I saw them!!).
Dar in MO says
You are so thoughtful of your chickens. I think the birdbath top idea would be a good one. I hope one of the buckeyes gets brave. I’d love to see what the other chickens would do.