This year, we’ve done more than we’ve ever done to keep the chickens safe from the heat . . but it wasn’t enough. I just found one of my Dominique hens dad in the coop. Most summers we have two or three water misters going. This summer we had 7. We had two fans outside and small fans in the windows of the coop. Fans blowing 100+ degree air won’t do much cooling. I only fill their water containers up about 1/3 of the way and go out there almost every hour, dump the hot water and refill it with cold water. Our well water comes from deep underground so it’s cold when it comes out of the faucet but it heats up quickly with temps near 110°. Several times each afternoon, I will toss out frozen lettuce or kale or strawberries, blueberries or cantaloup to help cool them off. It just wasn’t enough.
I feel like I could have/should have done more but other than air conditioning the coop and keeping them inside all day, I don’t know what else I could have done.
I’m really sad . . I feel so bad for all of the) so someone is going to get them. It might as well be me, right? But, when I start feeling really bad for the chickens, I remember the firefighters around the area . . working in all that clothing and breathing smoke and risking their lives for others. This heat is just miserable on so many fronts.
Dottie says
So sorry…….praying that the heat will break soon for all of us.
Sherrill says
There are many I think about when it’s cold or hot..homeless, ANYONE who works outside. Can’t imagine road work or roofers or so many others who are out in it all day. I’m watching my niece’s chickens (and dogs and cats) for a week. She’d lost a few to a critter–I just hope nothing happens on my watch.
Nelle Coursey says
There is not much more you could have done to help them. Unless you build an air conditioned building and I don’t think they would like that either. So don’t blame yourself. That chicken had a better life than most! Just think of all the other chickens out there that have nothing but the hot water to drink! And no misting fans! Heck most of them only have barns to life in!
dezertsuz says
They won’t stay near the misters or pay attention to the frozen fruits, etc., I don’t know what else you could have done. I’m sorry about it, and I hope it’s the only one you lose this summer.
carolyn says
I’m so sorry. You’re a good chicken mama and did everything you could to keep them cool and comfy. I hope the weather breaks soon!