We're having our first heatwave here in SCAL this week. I've started giving them electrolyte water in addition to their apple cider vinegar water (separate feeders). I bought a "mister" to attach to the garden hose -- pointing it towards the coop hoping to lower the coop temperature a bit and I have a UV Shade cover cloth over the coop as well. Treats have been dandelions and grape leaves and some melon and strawberries. WHAT TIPS can you share to keep the hens comfortable during these awful (85-95 days)?
I don't start a mister until it's over 100. Do your girls have shade? I give them watermelon once in a while and if it's going to be over 100 for days, I'll put out frozen water in soda bottles. They can handle 90 though.
good to know... I'm rather new at this... just had the hens since mid-May and they're youngish (aprox. 10 weeks old). They DO have shade (under the coop in the run). Do they peck at the frozen water?
They tend to lean on it if they can figure it out, or it just cools down the little bit of air around it, so they'll hang out around it. They'll also peck at the melting "sweat" on the bottle.
That's a great idea Faith!!
Also, Lori, evaporative cooling works really well. If you hose down the area in the morning, the sun will take up the hot water, leaving the area nice and cool 👍🏼 just be careful to avoid doing it in areas that won't drain or evaporate well. Don't want standing puddles of water.