New member in Phoenix AZ!

[AddieO]

Hey everyone I just recently got all my chickens (12). Half are 8wk old the other half are a week old. I need help figuring out many things but plan to explore old posts to find helpful info! My biggest concern is keeping my girls cool in the Phoenix summer heat ! Any advice ??

 

[Noraaaaa]

Hi! Welcome to BYC! I dont live in a hot area but mabey you could use:

-kiddy pool that has very short water and some grass
-watermelons for them to eat
-a fan

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

This is the place to be when you keep poultry! You definitely want to stop by our Learning Center for all kinds of good reads on all the aspects of keeping chickens... https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/

And stop by your state thread of Arizona here... https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/arizona-chickens.31227/ chat with your BYC neighbors about how they do things.

Make yourself at home here and welcome to our community!

 

[AddieO]

Thank you !
I heard misters being used by many people but where I bought my chicks they said chickens don’t like their feathers wet, so dust baths are better. Then cool pans of shallow water to step in and ice in their water.
Also heard ventilation is key, so an exhaust fan, then things like frozen treats (frozen watermelon chunks).
But any other tips are greatly appreciated ! I hear that so many die here in the summer and I couldn’t bear it losing them if there was something I could have done !

 

[TwoCrows]

Thank you !
I heard misters being used by many people but where I bought my chicks they said chickens don’t like their feathers wet, so dust baths are better. Then cool pans of shallow water to step in and ice in their water.
Also heard ventilation is key, so an exhaust fan, then things like frozen treats (frozen watermelon chunks).
But any other tips are greatly appreciated ! I hear that so many die here in the summer and I couldn’t bear it losing them if there was something I could have done !

Here in New Mexico, a big turbo fan has been my friend for years. I set it up in the run on high and chickens will all line up in front of it, feathers flying! I have tried wetting down the floor of the run which does cool the birds down, however it was growing too much Coccidiosis so I stopped that. Oh and put another fan in the coop facing up so the heat doesn't pool at the ceiling and heat goes out the vents in the eaves. Ice in the water fonts helps, a cool watermelon treat once a day, even frozen soda bottles filled with water so birds can lay next to them. Even trays of water help that they can stand in.

 

[Nomadicus]

Hello and Welcome to BYC. Glad to have you here with us in this fun and poultry loving community.

 

[CurlyChickenGirly]

Welcome! Glad you are here! I’m not familiar with that area/climate. I’m sure many people who live in that climate can help, though.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hiya, and welcome to BYC! You got excellent advice and links above from @TwoCrows so I'll just suffice it to say we're glad you're here!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens. This is a great place to explore and hang out.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.