Arizona Chickens

[igorsMistress]

Absolutely NOT! It is way too early for this

 

[EmmaDonovan]

Absolutely NOT! It is way too early for this
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It might hit 100 here next Tuesday. I've never seen triple digits so early before. Come on, it's still March!

 

[igorsMistress]

It might hit 100 here next Tuesday. I've never seen triple digits so early before. Come on, it's still March!

Ugh! This all makes me worried about summer

 

[BenisonsChickns]

Hopefully it goes back down and stays down awhile, I’m also hoping for good rains this summer, last year was entirely way to dry!!!

 

[EmmaDonovan]

This is crazy. I'm not ready to start hibernating so soon. I still have so much to do. The new enclosure is still in its boxes. The two back rooms in the house still need some work. My summer clothes are still all packed up. And if we have to start running the A/C full time in March, omg the bills...

 

[EmmaDonovan]

Hopefully it goes back down and stays down awhile, I’m also hoping for good rains this summer, last year was entirely way to dry!!!

Yes, if it's going to be hot so soon we should get some rain a lot sooner, too! I don't expect that to happen, though. Everyone keeps saying this one is going to hurt.

I'm worried for the chickens, too. It's so hard on them. Last summer we had 18 gal tubs set up indoors for anyone who needed to cool off, we only used them a few times. The chickens tolerated the tubs but didn't really like them. I'm wondering if I should set up a larger cooling off area that could accommodate several hens in one of the back rooms that has A/C. I don't know what that would look like, though.

 

[igorsMistress]

Yes, if it's going to be hot so soon we should get some rain a lot sooner, too! I don't expect that to happen, though. Everyone keeps saying this one is going to hurt.

I'm worried for the chickens, too. It's so hard on them. Last summer we had 18 gal tubs set up for anyone who needed to cool off, we only used them a few times. The chickens tolerated the tubs but didn't really like them. I'm wondering if I should set up a larger cooling off area that could accommodate several hens in one of the back rooms that has A/C. I don't know what that would look like, though.

I understand your concern over all of it. Take a deep breath and do the outside stuff while it’s cool. Even with highs in the upper 90’s it will be cool enough in the early morning hours to get stuff done. Save the rooms in the house for when it’s too warm to be outside.

It is not a good idea to bring your flock in and out of the a/c. It can it more difficult for them to be outside overnight because that will be hot, and then daytime will be impossible for them. I would suggest you try ice blocks in those tubs and give them a chance. Don’t put water in with the ice, just let it slowly melt. Even if they aren’t standing in them yet, I’d bet they will eventually. And I imagine they’re drinking from them at least.

Get some electrolytes for them now so you have them on hand.

I put water in the pitchers I use to make ice today.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

The annual insect explosion is here with the warmer temps. Flies, bees, wasps, cockroaches...

I just killed the BIGGEST black widow I have ever seen. She was living in our hall linen closet. I couldn't find an egg sack, there had better not be one around here somewhere.

Don't forget to check those shoes you haven't worn in a while, too.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

I understand your concern over all of it. Take a deep breath and do the outside stuff while it’s cool. Even with highs in the upper 90’s it will be cool enough in the early morning hours to get stuff done. Save the rooms in the house for when it’s too warm to be outside.

It is not a good idea to bring your flock in and out of the a/c. It can it more difficult for them to be outside overnight because that will be hot, and then daytime will be impossible for them. I would suggest you try ice blocks in those tubs and give them a chance. Don’t put water in with the ice, just let it slowly melt. Even if they aren’t standing in them yet, I’d bet they will eventually. And I imagine they’re drinking from them at least.

Get some electrolytes for them now so you have them on hand.

I put water in the pitchers I use to make ice today.

I take care of my friends' horses/mules/donkeys/dogs when they're out of town. During the summer I have to get there by 4:00 A.M. to finish all the ranch chores by 8:00, after that it's just too hot for me to work outdoors. I'm not a morning person but I do enjoy the quiet time on their ranch when it's just me and the animals.

You're right about the A/C. We only bring a chicken inside if they are really struggling in the heat, we did that a few times last year and it was just for a bit until they recovered, it wasn't a regular thing.

I think the chickens weren't crazy about being in the tubs. Those are the same tubs we use as hospital cages for injured or ill chickens. They can move around and get comfy but there's not a ton of room.

I was trying to think of something that would give them a little more room and could possibly be used for two at a time (if two needed to come in at the same time) so they wouldn't feel isolated and alone.

I have some ice blocks in the freezer, you read my mind! We put ice cubes in the waterers a few days ago when it got hot. I love watching the hens dip their beaks, the cool water must feel so good. I have several packets of electrolytes ready to go.

The ice blocks in the freezer are in tubs large enough for them to stand in as the water melts. It gets poopy quickly so I swap them out with new clean blocks several times a day when it's very hot.

We also have fans and a couple of cobra misters (we don't use them in the snake shape). We'll have a line mister in the new enclosure.

Whew.

 

[igorsMistress]

I take care of my friends' horses/mules/donkeys/dogs when they're out of town. During the summer I have to get there by 4:00 A.M. to finish all the ranch chores by 8:00, after that it's just too hot for me to work outdoors. I'm not a morning person but I do enjoy the quiet time on their ranch when it's just me and the animals.

You're right about the A/C. We only bring a chicken inside if they are really struggling in the heat, we did that a few times last year and it was just for a bit until they recovered, it wasn't a regular thing.

I think the chickens weren't crazy about being in the tubs. Those are the same tubs we use as hospital cages for injured or ill chickens. They can move around and get comfy but there's not a ton of room.

I was trying to think of something that would give them a little more room and could possibly be used for two at a time (if two needed to come in at the same time) so they wouldn't feel isolated and alone.

I have some ice blocks in the freezer, you read my mind! We put ice cubes in the waterers a few days ago when it got hot. I love watching the hens dip their beaks, the cool water must feel so good. I have several packets of electrolytes ready to go.

The ice blocks in the freezer are in tubs large enough for them to stand in as the water melts. It gets poopy quickly so I swap them out with new clean blocks several times a day when it's very hot.

We also have fans and a couple of cobra misters (we don't use them in the snake shape). We'll have a line mister in the new enclosure.

Whew.

Wow, you’re dedicated!

Maybe try the ice blocks in kiddie pools? We cut “doors” in two sides between the rim and bottom. I dump an ice block in around 2 and another around 4. Most get in at some point, but sometimes they’ll just sip from the pool through the doors in the side.