Newbies here. Thank you for sharing your experiences. We also live in Texas, in West Texas, where it's hot and dry. We keep ours in a hardware-cloth-covered, 10'x10' chain link dog kennel. Due to feral cats and our dog, they cannot free range. Their house is close to 3 feet off the ground, with roosts under it. This gives them the whole 10x10 area which is more than enough for the handful of chicks that we have. I keep the ground damp. They gravitate under there when it's hot. But, the interior of their house is still getting hot. Because they are only 12 weeks old, they haven't started nesting yet but I've been concerned about their nesting box, which unfortunately ended up being located on the west side of the structure. I've been concerned about them overheating in it. We landed on a solution that is expensive 😟. We bought a 10x10 white nylon-coated mesh tarp to go over the top of the 10x10 kennel. They actually make this item one at a time when you order it. It cost a pretty penny but it does cut out 86% of the light. I'm hoping that because it's white it will also help to reflect a lot of light off of the roof. This particular company makes super good quality tarps and they have a long life expectancy. (Tarps Plus) We bought one from them five or six years ago (when they were a lot cheaper) and it still shows no signs of aging. Because of that we had confidence in it, despite the expense of this new one we just purchased. 🤞We made our own coop. We put in a small windows (about 12"x5", more like flaps really) between every wall joist at the top of two opposing walls. The roof is set at a 6° pitch, so the air flows in on the lower side of the pitch and across the interior of the roof and out the other side at the higher end. It does cool it down but the dark colored roof heats everything up so much that it's still hot inside. Thank you for your tips because I've been scratching my head what to do beyond what we've already done. I'm not sure where I would find an exhaust fan like the one you use but I'll try to look backwards thru your videos and see if I can find that information. I also want to thank you for sharing the fact that you lost a couple of hens to heat in the beginning of your chicken keeping experience. Thank you for the transparency. My spouse has felt like I'm being too fussy, and they're just chickens after all, but I feel like I've gone to all this trouble and expense I don't want them to croak. We put them into unnatural conditions, which leaves them with no options for self regulation. They could escape the heat roosting high up in a shady tree. When I shared with my spouse the experience you had, I just got a grunt of acknowledgment but it hit home. So thanks for ending the debate! 😊

@realsimplemama

3 ай бұрын

Hi! Oh I totally understand the debate and the struggle. And you put it so well - in their natural state chickens have lots of solutions. But we have them cooped up (excuse the pun) so we are responsible for their welfare. And to me, if you are going to have chickens and spend the time and money already, it’s worth it to do it right! I’m here for you and I have a whole playlist here about Coop and Run Build which will show more of our misters and tarps and other solutions. ✌🏻❤️🐓

We are near the gulf in Texas. Preparing for the heat

I use rechargeable fans. The one I have is Rorjoy, but it's not currently available. Amazon does carry others. My fan last up to 25 hours on low setting, and moves the air nicely. The cost is $17 up. I have 2. One is running while one is charging.

We're in FL and have a turbo fan hooked up that I keep on low and a clip on fan as well. We had to run outdoor extension cord for electricity. I thought that would be temporary but it's worked so well for several years now. I love what you've done with the plants! I remember when you had just planted them - amazing growth. We have oak trees over most of the coop and areas that didn't, we put up sail cloth - really cuts the heat. You've inspired me to begin planting in the coop:) Right now I just have hanging baskets. Thanks for these vids.

@realsimplemama

22 күн бұрын

Oh how fun yayyyy! I wish I could go plant shopping with you. 😁 it can be so fun and so rewarding, and I’m here for you! ✌🏻❤️🐓

We're assessing our coop cooling plans for the summer too. I plan on getting a window fan that can reverse airflow so it can pull out heat during the day. Last summer was so hot (I'm in the same area as you) and my Orpington had a hard time. She'll spend like two hours in the nesting box and I would go open the door periodically to fan her lol. I'm sure she would have enjoyed if I fed her grapes too 😂

@realsimplemama

2 ай бұрын

lol yes ugh like we already have the “It’s too darn hot in the coop” plus we get a broody genius who insists on staying in there. 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ But it’s smart to do all the little plans NOW before it’s too hot. I plan to do my misters and tarps by the end of the month. By the time it hits 90 consistently you should be ready to go! And I’m here to help. ✌🏻❤️🐓

This will be my first time with chickens in summer. I have removable panels for summer time and it's protected with hardware cloth. I only have my chicks about 2 feet from floor. Sand underneath can help too, I'm praying my chicks will be happy this summer.

@realsimplemama

3 ай бұрын

I hope so too! I’m excited for you and the community here is fantastic if you need anything. ✌🏻❤️🐓 theMama@realsimplemama.com

@samuraioodon

3 ай бұрын

@@realsimplemama I'm enjoying all your videos and tips. I'm in Dallas Texas so the heat is also a huge concern.

@realsimplemama

3 ай бұрын

Hi again! Yes I’m from Dallas and lived there for over 20 years. I miss the dry heat! I’m here for you and it’s smart to get started now. Also look into misters and shade tarps. Those also help a lot.

@samuraioodon

3 ай бұрын

@@realsimplemama awesome 😎 I have a PVC pipe drilled with tiny holes under mulch in their run and hope it creates evaporative cooling effect as they dig below.

I learn so much from your videos & soon (I hope) to have a couple chicks soon. QUESTION: Will you please provide a link &/or suggest a product name for the solar fans you use? I’m in nearly in SO FL & really need them.

@realsimplemama

2 ай бұрын

Hey! If you want to go back to the original solar fan video I linked everything there. But honestly I think you could also just search online and find a good one! ✌🏻❤️🐓

Just found a small wind turbine on Amazon for 29 dollars.

I keep a fan in my coop. I have power available so I plug it in. It’s just too hot 🥵

I wounder if a house turbine would work for a small coop.

@realsimplemama

3 ай бұрын

Yes I bet that it would! I’d definitely try it (and smart to test it before it’s actually really hot) and return it if it doesn’t work. ✌🏻❤️🐓