Heat Wave - Roasting Chickens

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

soozorps wrote:

excellent idea the drink bottle with frozen water in it to keep the drinking water colder longer

Why thank you, kindly, soozorps

Crowin · **Joined:** Thu Jan 05, 2012 11:19 am **Posts:** 3

We have just had 3 days of over 40 so that is a good idea and I will use it the poor hens looked like they were going to drop dead

oozcorpse · **Joined:** Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:15 am **Posts:** 2715

Crowin wrote:

We have just had 3 days of over 40 so that is a good idea and I will use it the poor hens looked like they were going to drop dead

what were the night temps????

this below is added only as it is info regards what can happen to birds in heat waves - it is NOT intended to scare monger - it is intended to INFORM

if the birds' core temps stay high at night they dont get much if any respite from the heat as any fat deposits will retain much of the heat

# excerpt from a page on my site #start quote#
if a birds core temperature stays high in a heat wave over 3 days and nights by day 4 it has started to cook internally as the fat has liquefied and it will die slowly from organ failure. This liquefaction and internal cooking is well documented in Australian flocks after heat waves. #end quote#

I am sure everyone remembers those 2009 fires in VIC = 49+ degrees during the day and 35+ degrees at night for well over a week (NOT counting those burning hot northerly winds) = liquefaction was common across the state and many birds died (in other states as well) as most people had no choice but to go to work each day doing what they could before leaving then rushing home to give their birds cold water each night = staying on the subject of birds only as we all know the full impact of those fires/heat waves
so everyone please stay on subject of keeping birds cool

kelliecat · **Posted:** Sun Jan 08, 2012 9:44 pm

Ahhhhhh. So sick of the heat. My 3 week old chicks are not coping at all. I wasn't home this morning and by the time I got home at 1pm, 1chick was dead and the rest aren't looking good. Poor things. It was just 4 days ago that they got to cold during the night due to my bulb blowing and the temp dropping to 12 degrees. And today it got to 43 degrees. What is going on with the weather? Hopefully this doesn't last long. My adults coped fine under the mulberry tree digging little holes to sit in.

Crowin · **Joined:** Thu Jan 05, 2012 11:19 am **Posts:** 3

The temp overnight was 20 and 24 so not too bad but today its forecast 40 and tomorrow 39

kelliecat · **Posted:** Mon Jan 09, 2012 8:02 am

I know. I have a huge shower cubical and the whole house in air conditioned, so the little chicks are going in the bathroom when the temp gets to 30 outside. I don't think i will have to wait long as it is already 28degrees inside and only 8am.

oozcorpse · **Joined:** Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:15 am **Posts:** 2715

Crowin wrote:

The temp overnight was 20 and 24 so not too bad but today its forecast 40 and tomorrow 39

blimey Summer in OZ is a biatch isnt it!!

not too bad at night but 20 or below would be better of course to give them a better break

cold water with ice in it and where possible small tubs with cold water for them to stand in (mummaroo told me about the tubs for standing in) = IF they lay down in them = that has been their choice - I have seen that a few times but it is rare that they will willingly get wet all over

remember chooks WILL NOT drink warm water - they will dehydrate quickly if the only water available to them is warm

frozen water in bottles is a good idea as they can be rotated back into the freezer as necessary

oozcorpse · **Joined:** Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:15 am **Posts:** 2715

kelliecat wrote:

I know. I have a huge shower cubical and the whole house in air conditioned, so the little chicks are going in the bathroom when the temp gets to 30 outside. I don't think i will have to wait long as it is already 28degrees inside and only 8am.

get them in before it hits 30

and everyone remember to turn off the artificial heating for your chicks once the temp is 25-28 or above (your call on actual temp) - seriously = they dont need more heat to make matters worse - their combined body heat with the ambient temperature is more than enough
but REMEMBER to turn the heating back on once the temp drops to 25 or below or the chicks will get too cold over night

where is 'mummaroo' when you need her!!!! she is soooooo good at dealing with heat and chooks!

and 'parvo' is excellent with explaining the finer details of heat stress

their input here would be appreciated

Crowin · **Joined:** Thu Jan 05, 2012 11:19 am **Posts:** 3

That is a good point with the brooder I did forget on the first day but did notice late in the day they were all panting badly

beaktime · **Joined:** Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:51 am **Posts:** 48

I make huge ice cubes with cups in the ice box and toss them in my bucket waterer. The cold water seems to help.

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Heat Wave - Roasting Chickens

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