Moving chicks to coop in high heat temps

[Kaitlyn_03]

Hi! So I have 13 chicks that have been in my brooder in the house since we got them. They are all 7-8 weeks old and feathered. We have our coop built and it is ready. My concern is we live in NC and we are in a drought and it is extremely hot. Today we are under a heat advisory. It is already 90 degrees and feels like 97. Our highs are 90+ most of this week and lows are mostly 75+ with one night being 70 from potential rain that day. Tuesday it is supposed to reach triple digits for the high. Will the chicks be ok being took from inside to outside like this??? Also they are shaded during the hottest part of the day in their coop.


One last thing. I have 13 chickens and was hoping for like 1-2 roosters so we can hatch our own chicks and get meat as well. Well it looks like we may have 3 roosters…should I go ahead and get rid of 1 or 2 roosters or wait and see how their temperaments are?

 

[WoDia]

@Kaitlyn_03 I wouldn’t get rid of any, until you’ve been able to observe each one’s temperament. They’re 7-8 weeks old, so you still have some time (my opinion) before you need to decide which one needs to go. When I’m dealing with temperatures like that, I wait. I won’t move chicks unless I have the temperature at a more acceptable level in the new area already. Shade, plenty of cool water, fans… this will all help. If the chicks aren’t used to temperatures like that already, take some time to help transition them rather than hurry the process.

 

[Ridgerunner]

In those temperatures they could have been out 4 weeks ago so they are certainly old enough. High temperatures can be dangerous to chickens but they live in those conditions all the time. The big difference is that we keep them confined to a smaller area so they don't have the options to find cooler spots like they would free ranging in a woodland or prairie.

The basics are to make sure they have plenty of clean water. They need shade and good ventilation. With these basics they can usually handle fairly high temperatures.

My flock was OK until we got above 110 F for over a week and then it was the "weaker" or "sick" ones that had issues. 100 F is still enough that you could take extra precautions. I try to not force these things on them but give them the option so they can utilize them if they want. Some chickens do, some do not.

Can you set up a fan so they can get a breeze if they want one? Moving air can make a big difference. Some people mist water in front of a fan. I've seen this called a swamp cooler. The evaporating water really cools the air.

You do not want a run to stay wet, that can cause problems. But in your heat and dry conditions the run will not stay wet long enough to cause problems. I use a hose to wet an area of the run in the shade. I don't get it really muddy but wet it down well. The evaporating water cools the dirt. Some of them dust bathe or just lay in that cooled dirt in the shade.

Some people put a wading pool in the run. Yours are old enough they are not in any danger of drowning with a few inches of water. They will poop in it so you need to occasionally change it out. Try to put it in the shade so the sun doesn't heat it so bad. Try to use white or light colors. Dark colors soak up the heat and are like a solar oven.

Clean water, shade, and ventilation should get you through the worst of it. Not all of them will take advantage of these other ideas but some probably will.

 

[aart]

Will the chicks be ok being took from inside to outside like this???

What's the temp inside the house?

Also they are shaded during the hottest part of the day in their coop.

Do you have a thermometer inside the coop?
Good to have, IMO.

Lots of ventilation in the coop?
Is there a shaded run also?
Pics could help use help you here.

we live in NC

Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Kaitlyn_03]

What's the temp inside the house?


Do you have a thermometer inside the coop?
Good to have, IMO.

Lots of ventilation in the coop?
Is there a shaded run also?
Pics could help use help you here.


Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 3890719

Our temp in the house is 74 normally. We still have their heat lamp on though so they still have a heat source. We do not have a thermometer in the coop but I am looking into getting one. Our whole coop door is a frame made by wood and then hardware cloth stapled across it. We also have pretty big sections at the top on two sides that are hardware cloth. I will have to get some pics. We are putting the finishing touches on the coop now.