Okay, I can tolerate the fact that the gardens are fading before my eyes. I live to water, you know that.
And I can tolerate the fact that when we are home, we do water at least 3 to 4 times a day, so that there is cold life-giving water for the birds to drink and stay cool with.
But this, I take personally.
Yes, that's an older bird, Martha, but one I especially liked, and one that laid daily. In fact, I have expected Buffy, the Polish, to be the first to go, as the heat is bothering her terribly.
I think the sustained heat is beginning to take it's toll, and I won't be surprised if some of the other older birds can't take much more.
Despite the 108 temperature, we got a bucket o' eggs today, but it does not make up for losing the pretty black Martha.
Addendum at 10:17 PM:
Martha wasn't the only one. We found Wilma, an older Welsummer hen also still laying, out in the big henyard, I don't know how I missed her while doing the water. She was in the dust where many of them are laying, trying to conserve their energy during the day. We thought she had been attacked by a possum, as she appeared to have no head.
When I picked her up...it dangled, and we realized it was another heat death.
Tomorrow the prediction is for 105, and I expect more.
So sorry to hear about Martha. My chickens have pretty much quit laying in this heat. I'm concerned about them too. Hope it cools soon.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so sorry. I have an ailing hen, too, and am afraid I'm going to lose her.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry! May this heat break soon, for all of us.
ReplyDeleteOh no! So sorry to hear about your hens. This heat is just ridiculous and everyday I'm afraid I'm going to find one of mine dead. Will this weather ever break!?!?
ReplyDeleteThat's terrible!!
ReplyDeleteCan you keep them in the chicken house with a huge fan? Even aircondition the chicken house for the days over 100 degrees???
How aweful for you and the chickens!
oh gosh
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about Wilma and Martha.. and I know the others are all so hot too.
this is sooo sad for all of you.
I keep saying prayers for you
love
tweedles
Oh Mary Ann..
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry!!
Praying that you will get some heat relief soon!!
I'm sorry
ReplyDeletei lost 2 hens and a roo since June....it stinks
now down to 2 hens and 3 roos.....
i agree with tree hugger, maybe a couple of large fans would help
i know we have a giant industrial fan pointed out of the eve the barn to pull air thru....the three stall horses have 1 to 2 fans each, both ends of the barn have mesh curtains to allow air flow and their windows are covered in mesh
I hope it cools down for you soon. I have only lost one to the heat...so far. Since I have 31 left and I'm not really attached to them like pets, it wasn't nearly as hard to bear. But I really understand and hope you don't lose any more.
ReplyDeleteYikes, how sad to lose your chickens due to heat. Hope it cools down for you and the rest of the country soon. A strange year for weather.
ReplyDeletepoor chickens. Have you thought of keeping them in during the day with a fan on or something... chickens are prone to the heat. It really is best to keep them in..
ReplyDeletewe are having temps of 41º here.. not sure if its about the same. I keep my animals in during the day.
hope the rest stay ok. the joys of farming.
val
Sorry you lost your chickens. This horrible heat is so hard to take for humans and animals alike. The weatherman says rain may come through tomorrow and be a bit cooler. I'll be happy to see it!
ReplyDelete