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On a smaller scale production like our little homestead,we only do 24 meat
birds at a time,we keep our birds cool here in the hot humid south by
setting out misters.I buy them at lowes for about $15 each.They look like
snake standing up &come in bright colors. I think they’re intended for kids
but work excellent for fat lazy meat birds.They use no power/fuel & very
little water.On really bad days I’ll set out a fan to blow the mist further.
I would suggest filling a big water tank, using a 12 volt on-demand pump, a
battery and a small solar panel… connect a hose with a few misters and
see if that would help. Would save money, considering the cost of gas and
labor having to spray them. My .02
We have the same problem here in southern Ontario Canada. I raise meat
rabbits, and I am checking them every two hours. I have fans on constantly
and water is topped up. I am also feeding greens a lot to hydrate them. I
have 7 laying hens that free range in the yard every day. Keep up the good
work.
You could do rows of chicken-fodder trees/shrubs planted on contour to
provide shade, and create a cool microclimate for them. Some examples:
Mulberry, Siberian Pea Shrub, Honey Locust, then underplant with more
chicken food; comfrey, chickweed, dandelion, sunflower, berries, amaranth.
In Texas, we put out several shallow plastic bins — like a large flower
pot drain pans — and the poultry will walk in it and wet their feet. This
helps cool them off. We also put ice cubes in the water if it gets really
hot…and a mister —like you would put around a patio— we put that
around the inside of their house. We also feed them our watermelon rinds
which they love and have a high water content. Hope any of these will spark
an idea and help. Thanks for your tips!
Yes everyone has to remember to keep every one cool in this weather,
children, seniors, and all the animals. Not forgetting ourselves of couse!
Thanks Mark.
I like the idea of planting rows of quick growing trees- you can run the
pens up the rows. i know it wont help you now, but eventually, the trees
will eventually give you shade.
Thanks for the tip! …Peace! .V,,
i8topees
June 8, 2014 at 10:23 am
On a smaller scale production like our little homestead,we only do 24 meat
birds at a time,we keep our birds cool here in the hot humid south by
setting out misters.I buy them at lowes for about $15 each.They look like
snake standing up &come in bright colors. I think they’re intended for kids
but work excellent for fat lazy meat birds.They use no power/fuel & very
little water.On really bad days I’ll set out a fan to blow the mist further.
armywifeprepper
June 8, 2014 at 11:22 am
i used to put plastic milk jugs filled with water in the freezer, then put
them in with the buns… they loved them…
skybirdbird
June 8, 2014 at 12:08 pm
DripWorks sells misters that cool down the pens with much less water.Taller
pens with adequate shading is a plus.
No1HillBilly
June 8, 2014 at 12:20 pm
Then by all means, don’t eat them.
peelmeone
June 8, 2014 at 12:20 pm
I would suggest filling a big water tank, using a 12 volt on-demand pump, a
battery and a small solar panel… connect a hose with a few misters and
see if that would help. Would save money, considering the cost of gas and
labor having to spray them. My .02
TexasPrepper2
June 8, 2014 at 12:46 pm
Why not taller pens with open sides? I built a chicken tractor like it and
mine are doing well in the Alabama heat and humidity. Just a suggestion
The Cowboy Prepper
June 8, 2014 at 1:13 pm
that’s a good tip. thanks.
JoEllen McCord
June 8, 2014 at 1:15 pm
We have the same problem here in southern Ontario Canada. I raise meat
rabbits, and I am checking them every two hours. I have fans on constantly
and water is topped up. I am also feeding greens a lot to hydrate them. I
have 7 laying hens that free range in the yard every day. Keep up the good
work.
xxxlambertixxx
June 8, 2014 at 1:30 pm
I wish you much success my friend!!
freedom4kaz2
June 8, 2014 at 1:42 pm
You could do rows of chicken-fodder trees/shrubs planted on contour to
provide shade, and create a cool microclimate for them. Some examples:
Mulberry, Siberian Pea Shrub, Honey Locust, then underplant with more
chicken food; comfrey, chickweed, dandelion, sunflower, berries, amaranth.
Levi Meeuwenberg
June 8, 2014 at 2:24 pm
Good tip Thanks !!!
mandewey3456
June 8, 2014 at 2:24 pm
You could also attach low pressure misters to the portable covered coops
and leave them on all day long. They don’t use much water.
NWBackcountry
June 8, 2014 at 2:57 pm
Thanks for the tip, Mark. I’m new to growing chickens for eggs. It gets
pretty hot in Nevada.
susie89434
June 8, 2014 at 2:58 pm
In Texas, we put out several shallow plastic bins — like a large flower
pot drain pans — and the poultry will walk in it and wet their feet. This
helps cool them off. We also put ice cubes in the water if it gets really
hot…and a mister —like you would put around a patio— we put that
around the inside of their house. We also feed them our watermelon rinds
which they love and have a high water content. Hope any of these will spark
an idea and help. Thanks for your tips!
soulephix
June 8, 2014 at 3:02 pm
Will fruit trees help? Or any tall leafy tree that grows quickly?
NWBackcountry
June 8, 2014 at 3:28 pm
Cold melon will help.
carolinagrl210
June 8, 2014 at 4:17 pm
good info… don’t forget to spray yourselves… 😀
skybirdbird
June 8, 2014 at 4:58 pm
Yes everyone has to remember to keep every one cool in this weather,
children, seniors, and all the animals. Not forgetting ourselves of couse!
Thanks Mark.
sha whit
June 8, 2014 at 5:07 pm
You must be a vegetarian ?
mandewey3456
June 8, 2014 at 6:01 pm
Excuse me, but chill out… By the way you must be thinking of factory
farms, not BGA.
Ben Davies
June 8, 2014 at 6:18 pm
Raising idiot’s is un-safe for the rest of us!
i8topees
June 8, 2014 at 7:09 pm
Muslim.
DystopianEmpire01
June 8, 2014 at 7:48 pm
I like the idea of planting rows of quick growing trees- you can run the
pens up the rows. i know it wont help you now, but eventually, the trees
will eventually give you shade.
Heather McDougall
June 8, 2014 at 8:03 pm
Raising pigs as food is unclean…
Angel Zabawa
June 8, 2014 at 8:24 pm