Air conditioning, just enough to keep them cooler

[CabritaChicks]

I live in the Virgin Islands, where it gets hot and humid. I designed a Wichita-style chicken coop by the sea (side-on shore, about 10 knots sea breeze), with bottom airflow, side airflow, and a run. I also placed the coop in the shade, which helps a lot, but I’m planning for the future. On some days, temps can hit 95°F, and I’d like to keep it closer to 80°F with a simple solar-powered cooling system.

I’ve seen a few designs online, but most seem overkill. I’m looking for something effective but not excessive for three hens. So far, I’ve considered:

• Solar-Powered Ventilation Fans – Small exhaust fans mounted at the highest point to pull out hot air.
• Evaporative Coolers (Swamp Coolers) – A solar-powered fan blowing over a water-soaked medium to cool the air. But this is going to be a bear to carry ice down to the coop (it is a jaunt).
• Reflective Roofing & Shade Cloth – To reduce heat absorption and block direct sun.
• Thermal Mass Cooling – Frozen water jugs placed in the airflow path to provide passive cooling.

However, I’m also looking for pre-fabricated options that actively put out cool air. Some possibilities I’ve found:

• Solar-Powered Evaporative Coolers (like EcoJet) – These actively blow cooled air and work best in drier conditions (which we DO NOT have on the seaside).
• Peltier (Thermoelectric) Coolers – Small units that generate cool air but may need additional ventilation.
• Solar-Powered Portable AC Units – Expensive and require battery setups, but they do exist.

Has anyone tried a pre-built system that works well for backyard coops in extreme heat? Would love to hear recommendations!

I also posted a image of the chicks from yesterday- these hens rule the roost- They love chasing feet and getting tummy rubs. So needless to say- I want this micro-flock to be a happy as possible when they eventually make it outside. Takes an eternity for shipping here, so I want to make sure I have something set up in the case of another heatwave like last summer (it was a straight run heat index of 109F). Just like our hurricane setup, where we have a hurricane proof structure in the event of a crisis.

 

[FrostRanger]

I would not get a swamp cooler, they are nigh useless in a humid environment.

Aside from the usual deep shade and plenty of water, I'd go with a fan. What I also like to do is place shallow pans of water under their waterers. Either they will be forced to stand in it to drink, thus getting cooler or they will drink out of the pans themselves and still get hydrated

 

[CabritaChicks]

Thanks for the advice! I already knew that option wasn’t feasible. However, no matter what, this will help—so I went ahead and bought it. (Walmart delivers some items here.) Now I can keep the upper level a bit cooler. Not sure if it will hold up to caribbean- and really wish there was some sort of AC. I cant leave them too exposed- as we have some trashers- who will rip through a screen to kill anything in their path (including atmepting to kill my 750g parrot- as they are territorial). So I want the hens to have a safe place.

 

[FrostRanger]

Thanks for the advice! I already knew that option wasn’t feasible. However, no matter what, this will help—so I went ahead and bought it. (Walmart delivers some items here.) Now I can keep the upper level a bit cooler. Not sure if it will hold up to caribbean- and really wish there was some sort of AC. I cant leave them too exposed- as we have some trashers- who will rip through a screen to kill anything in their path (including atmepting to kill my 750g parrot- as they are territorial). So I want the hens to have a safe place.

I don't live in the Caribbean but the summers here are similar. Very hot, extremely humid (highs near 100 with close to 100% humidity are fairly typical here) and frequent storms. With some extra attention I think your birds will do just fine

 

[FrostRanger]

Also, what are trashers? Depending on how strong they are I'd cover any vents with hardware cloth possibly with welded wire over the top. Given how hot it is, an open air coop would be a good idea too

 

[CabritaChicks]

I don't live in the Caribbean but the summers here are similar. Very hot, extremely humid (highs near 100 with close to 100% humidity are fairly typical here) and frequent storms. With some extra attention I think your birds will do just fine

They definitely won’t be lacking attention—I just want to make sure they’re not stressed. Getting them to the island and properly settled was a huge challenge. My husband predicted I’d get addicted to them, and I didn’t believe him. Turns out, he was right. Isla ride around on my shoulder while I clean the brooder in the utility room. Im screwed.

 

[CabritaChicks]

Also, what are trashers? Depending on how strong they are I'd cover any vents with hardware cloth possibly with welded wire over the top. Given how hot it is, an open air coop would be a good idea too

Trashers are 'Pearly Eyed Trashers' they are realtively small birds (compared to a hawk or falcon), which have developed on this island to become the most feared by many. They will destroy crops, mate for life and dont travel in flocks. They will attack just about anything- including humans. Like Blue Jays on crack. I am going to be welding quite a bit- while they are not strong- they are determined.

 

[CabritaChicks]

*Sorry, auto correct: Thrashers. Ours evolved into demons... adaptation/evolution. While the deer here are no bigger than a small goat. haha Yesterday- they took out 21 tomatoes, 2 baby kittens (neighbors) and countless other veggies just out of spite.

 

[FrostRanger]

They definitely won’t be lacking attention—I just want to make sure they’re not stressed. Getting them to the island and properly settled was a huge challenge. My husband predicted I’d get addicted to them, and I didn’t believe him. Turns out, he was right. Isla ride around on my shoulder while I clean the brooder in the utility room. Im screwed.

Chickens are 100% addictive. I got into chickens in 2023. Partially because of the cost of eggs, partially because chickens are wonderful for gardening (although they absolutely should not be in the garden lol) and partially because of wanting to be more self sufficient. I can't say I planned on getting chicks when I did, tractor supply just happened to have the breed I wanted (easter eggers, because they are known for being friendly and laying colorful eggs) and even though I came just to browse, I walked out with 4 chicks and the supplies to raise them. While my initial thought when I got home was "what did I get myself into" I quickly fell in love with them. It certainly wasn't an uneventful journey (lost the original 4 to wet fowl pox, a neighbor's loose dog, and some what I assume to be a heart attack or something) I can't see myself without chickens now. And wait until you start getting eggs, they are far better than anything you can get in the store

 

[CabritaChicks]

Chickens are 100% addictive. I got into chickens in 2023. Partially because of the cost of eggs, partially because chickens are wonderful for gardening (although they absolutely should not be in the garden lol) and partially because of wanting to be more self sufficient. I can't say I planned on getting chicks when I did, tractor supply just happened to have the breed I wanted (easter eggers, because they are known for being friendly and laying colorful eggs) and even though I came just to browse, I walked out with 4 chicks and the supplies to raise them. While my initial thought when I got home was "what did I get myself into" I quickly fell in love with them. It certainly wasn't an uneventful journey (lost the original 4 to wet fowl pox, a neighbor's loose dog, and some what I assume to be a heart attack or something) I can't see myself without chickens now. And wait until you start getting eggs, they are far better than anything you can get in the store

I love that story! My experience is some what similar—I have an autoimmune disease, and since eggs take forever to reach the island, their histamine levels skyrocket. When I lived in other countries, I always had access to fresh farm eggs, but once we moved to the mainland U.S., I suddenly developed an "egg allergy." Turns out, it wasn’t an allergy at all—just my body reacting to the insane histamine buildup- (and the taste and color of the yolks was a massive deterrent for consumption anyways).

After we got our large property here in the Virgin Islands, my husband mentioned that he’d love to have chickens. Since I run a nonprofit avian rescue and avian veterinary service, it was a perfect fit! Sure, feral chickens are everywhere here—practically one every 20 feet—but I wanted birds I could actually bond with. Eventually, a small feed store started bringing in Rhode Island Reds, which apparently do well on this island.

After tons of research (and discovering some unexpected quirks about raising chickens here), my journey finally began! Thank you so much for all your help! the coop is my largest concern, I just want to do them justice as they have already brought my husband and I do much joy.