Daytime temps have hit 90 degrees here in central Maine for three days running, and the humidity has been uncomfortably high. Today probably won’t be too much better. In much of the country, this is typical summer weather, but we think of it as excessive.
I know. We’re heat wimps up here. The local TV weather gurus make it sound as if the end times are upon us. But we more than make up for it by taking winter blizzards and below-zero temps in stride. (Well, sort of in stride. Winter storms also make weather prognosticators hyperventilate, and the mere mention of snow sends some Mainers flocking to supermarkets to buy a year's supply of whoopee pies.)
Anyway, high heat and humidity at our place can mean only one thing for the chickens: extra TLC to help them cope. Having a body that’s covered with a reported 8,000-plus feathers (no, I haven't verified this) provides great insulation in the winter, but it doesn’t make life easy in the summer. The experts often point out that it's harder keeping chickens cool on the sultry days of August than warm when the snow flies.
So we’ve been following our usual “extreme heat” protocol here. Frequent drinking water changes for “the girls.” Ice cubes in their water bowl. Extra shading for the pen, using old slabs of plywood to block out the sun. Late-afternoon treats of freshly cut strawberries. The coop roof propped open a bit during the day, to let in more air. And a later-than-usual bedtime, to delay closing up the coop for the night as long as possible.
Life may not be perfect for Snow, Nellie and Hope in this kind of weather. But it’s still pretty damn good.
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