Keeping Cool

The temperatures here have been hitting the 90 degree mark for several days now.

Not only is it uncomfortable for me,

but it's also uncomfortable for the chickens.

I came across this idea on Pinterest

(a dangerous place that provides endless projects for my husband me)

The idea is simple and inexpensive.

Take a muffin tin and fill each opening with corn.

Add water then put it in the freezer.

When they're frozen, run some warm water on the back of the tin

and the frozen cornsicles pop right out.

I made a bunch and store them in a freezer bag and grab a couple to toss to the girls.

You can also do something similar with other veggies

or fruit.

And you don't have to just use a muffin tin,

you could choose something much larger

(but I like the ease of storage in the muffin size treats).

The girls love them!

Feelin' HOT HOT HOT

Baby, it's hot out there!

While working in the garden one evening,

I noticed several of the chickens were holding their wings away from there body

and "panting".

Having read this was a sign they were getting over heated,

I grabbed a bucket and filled it with cool water.

Then one by one I stuck them in the bucket of water.

None of them were happy about being grabbed, 

but they all seemed to appreciate the cooling affect of the water.

My Jersey Giant Lenore 

.(formerly one of the Heckle and Jeckle pair but since I lost the other JG,

there was no longer a pair, 

so she's named for the woman in the Edgar Allen Poe poem The Raven)

anyway, Lenore wasn't quick to get out the water. 

She stayed in the bucket for a couple of minutes while I splashed water over her back.

Afterwards, they all seemed much happier and began scratching and exploring the grass

in the temporary run.

So remember, when it's hot outside, keep an eye on your chickens

and keep a bucket handy in case they start showing signs of being overheated!