Latest / Valley Hatchery Podcast / Chicken Support Insights - Episode 31: Chicken Support Insights Episode 30: The Summer Cooling Mistakes That Cost Keepers the Most

Transcript

Chicken Support Insights - Episode 31: Chicken Support Insights Episode 30: The Summer Cooling Mistakes That Cost Keepers the Most · Valley Hatchery Podcast

• 0:09
  Cortney: Hi everyone, welcome back to Chicken Support Insight podcast where we answer the questions backyard chicken keepers ask us every day.
• 0:17
  Cortney: I'm here with Matt.
• 0:19
  Cortney: Hello, Matt.
• 0:20
  Matt: Hello, guys.
• 0:21
  Matt: Hey Courtney.
• 0:22
  Cortney: Today we're talking about some of the biggest summer cooling mistakes we hear every July.
• 0:27
  Cortney: Most people are trying to do the right thing, but a few simple habits can make a big difference when temperatures start climbing.
• 0:35
  Cortney: If you've ever wondered whether your flock is staying cool enough or if you're doing enough to prevent heat stress, this episode is for you.
• 0:43
  Cortney: Let's jump in.
• 0:44
  Cortney: Matt, what's one of the most common cooling mistakes you hear from backyard ticking keepers during the summer?
• 0:51
  Matt: I think one of the biggest mistakes is waiting until the birds already look hot before making changes.
• 0:56
  Matt: So by then they're already working hard to cool themselves.
• 0:59
  Matt: One of the best things you can do is make sure shade is already available before the hottest part of the day.
• 1:05
  Matt: So if you're putting up tarps or moving shelters at noon, you wait so long.
• 1:09
  Matt: You know, your flock should have a cool place to escape the sun as temperatures start climbing in the morning.
• 1:14
  Matt: So shade is only part of the equation.
• 1:16
  Matt: Good airflow is just as important because moving air helps birds release heat more effectively.
• 1:22
  Matt: A shaded area with no breeze can still get pretty hot.
• 1:25
  Matt: So the key here is to think ahead instead of reacting.
• 1:28
  Matt: If you prepare before the heat arrives, your birds will stay much more comfortable and handle those hot summer days a lot better.
• 1:35
  Cortney: Yeah, that's right, Matt.
• 1:36
  Cortney: Prevention really is easier than trying to cool birds down once they're already overheated and stressed.
• 1:42
  Matt: Yep.
• 1:43
  Matt: And Courtney, what are some of the biggest hydration mistakes people make?
• 1:47
  Cortney: A lot of people are surprised how quickly water can become warm during the afternoon since the temperature is so hot.
• 1:54
  Cortney: Birds simply won't drink as much if the water isn't appealing.
• 1:58
  Cortney: So only providing one water source is probably not ideal.
• 2:01
  Cortney: You want them to have multiple different options that you can keep fresh and cool.
• 2:07
  Cortney: Water heating up throughout the day, just dump it out, get rid of it, start over, make sure they got some good fresh water.
• 2:14
  Cortney: You can add ice to your water.
• 2:15
  Cortney: I mean, they like to peck around at it and it floats around and it keeps it cooled down a little bit longer, even frozen water bottled.
• 2:23
  Cortney: Throw that into your waterer if you have one that would fit it in there.
• 2:27
  Cortney: I use the big round rubber containers for water.
• 2:30
  Cortney: And I can throw something like that in there and keep it cold.
• 2:33
  Cortney: Keeping your waters in the shade will help it stay a little bit cooler than if it was in the heat.
• 2:39
  Cortney: So checking your water frequently throughout the heat wave, so checking it more than once during the day, keeping them clean, and like I said, placing it somewhere in the shade.
• 2:49
  Cortney: And you know, as the sun is moving, the shade areas change.
• 2:53
  Cortney: So having waterers in different locations in your yard, depending on that, is is a good idea for that.
• 3:00
  Matt: Yeah, exactly.
• 3:00
  Matt: You know, having multiple water stations can make a huge difference, especially for larger flocks.
• 3:06
  Cortney: Right.
• 3:06
  Cortney: So it looks like we'll be right back.
• 3:08
  Cortney: Enjoy some information real fast.
• 3:11
  Cortney: Hey, this is Courtney, customer support manager here at Valley Hatchery.
• 3:16
  Cortney: Quick reminder before we keep going.
• 3:18
  Cortney: The moment your chicks arrive, get them into a pre-warmed brooder, then call us right away.
• 3:23
  Cortney: Do not wait until the next morning.
• 3:25
  Cortney: That first 24 hours is the window that matters most.
• 3:28
  Cortney: Weak chicks, lethargy, anything that does not look right.
• 3:31
  Cortney: We need to hear from you immediately.
• 3:33
  Cortney: Our number is 1-800-652-7606.
• 3:38
  Cortney: If we are assisting other customers, please leave a voicemail and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
• 3:43
  Cortney: Valley Hatchery has been shipping NPIP certified day-old chicks since 2009.
• 3:49
  Cortney: Our team has walked thousands of customers through their first delivery.
• 3:53
  Cortney: We know exactly what your birds have been through to reach you, and we know how to help.
• 3:58
  Cortney: Phone lines closed?
• 4:00
  Cortney: Email us.
• 4:01
  Cortney: Your message will not sit until Monday.
• 4:03
  Cortney: We monitor email every single day, weekends included, anytime.
• 4:08
  Cortney: Here is what every first-time mail order buyer needs to understand.
• 4:13
  Cortney: Mail order chicks are not the same as locally hatched birds.
• 4:17
  Cortney: They have traveled.
• 4:18
  Cortney: They are tired.
• 4:19
  Cortney: Getting that first 24 hours right takes expert guidance, and that is exactly what we are here to give you.
• 4:26
  Cortney: And before delivery day, make sure you have downloaded our free chick care guide at Valleyhatchery.com.
• 4:33
  Cortney: It walks you through everything from day one to week six, so nothing catches you off guard.
• 4:38
  Cortney: Our support does not end at checkout.
• 4:41
  Cortney: We are with you until your flock is fully grown and thriving.
• 4:45
  Cortney: Because at Valley Hatchery, we believe that getting your chicks is just the beginning.
• 4:50
  Matt: If you're enjoying chicken support insights, be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss future episodes covering seasonal flock care, rededication, and practical backyard poultry chips.
• 5:02
  Cortney: All right, let's get back into today's discussion.
• 5:05
  Cortney: We also hear a lot about electrolytes during the summer.
• 5:08
  Cortney: What's the biggest misconception there?
• 5:11
  Matt: I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that electrolytes are a cure all for hot weather.
• 5:17
  Matt: They definitely have their place, but they're not suitable for good summer management.
• 5:22
  Matt: Their first priority is always making sure your bridge have constant access to fresh, clean, and cool water.
• 5:28
  Matt: If they're not drinking enough, electrolytes alone won't solve the problem.
• 5:32
  Matt: So before reaching for supplements, focus on the basics like providing plenty of shade, make sure there's good ventilation and airflow, and keep fresh water available throughout the day.
• 5:42
  Matt: Those things make the biggest difference in helping your flock stay comfortable.
• 5:47
  Matt: Electrolytes, it can be helpful too during periods of extreme heat or stress, but they work best as part of an overall heat management plan and not just as a replacement or good daily care.
• 5:57
  Cortney: Right.
• 5:58
  Cortney: That's one tool and not the entire solution.
• 6:01
  Cortney: And if you'd like to dive a little deeper into this topic, we've put together a helpful article on our website called Heat Stress and Chicken Signs Prevention and Treatment.
• 6:11
  Cortney: It walks through the warning signs to watch for, ways to prevent heat stress before it starts, and what to do if one of your birds is struggling.
• 6:19
  Cortney: We'll have a link to it in this episode description.
• 6:23
  Cortney: So be sure to check it out after you're done listening.
• 6:26
  Matt: All right.
• 6:27
  Matt: What behavior should keepers watch for that?
• 6:29
  Matt: Tell them their birds may be getting too hot?
• 6:31
  Cortney: Yes.
• 6:32
  Cortney: Your birds usually tell you how they're feeling if you know what to look for.
• 6:35
  Cortney: So it's just kind of knowing what they're trying to tell you.
• 6:39
  Cortney: If they're panting, if they're holding their wings away from their body, if they're not they're not very active, they just reduce their activity.
• 6:46
  Cortney: If they're seeking shade, you know, making sure they're not in the heat, they're running into the shade area, you know, they're pretty smart creatures.
• 6:54
  Cortney: Standing instead of foraging.
• 6:56
  Cortney: We know they like to forage, and if they're just standing around in the shade, that's a good sign.
• 7:00
  Cortney: Watching for changes before the situation becomes serious.
• 7:03
  Cortney: So if you notice a change, evaluate it and see if that's a problem so you can so you can get to it early than waiting until it's too late.
• 7:12
  Matt: Yep, exactly.
• 7:13
  Matt: You know, learning normal behaviors makes unusual behavior much easier to recognize.
• 7:18
  Matt: Hopefully, today's conversation helped you avoid some of the most common summer mistakes before they become bigger problems.
• 7:24
  Matt: Small changes like planning your shade early, checking water more often, and paying attention to your flox behavior can go along late to our keeping birds comfortable during hot weather.
• 7:33
  Cortney: And if you have a chicken question you'd like us to answer in a future chicken support inside episode, we'd love to hear from you.
• 7:41
  Cortney: You can send us your question through the fan mail link in this episode's description on Bud Sprout.
• 7:47
  Cortney: We read those submissions and may feature your question in an upcoming episode.
• 7:52
  Cortney: Thanks so much for listening, and we'll see you next time.
• 7:55
  Cortney: Take care, everyone, and take care of those flocks.
• 7:58
  Cortney: Bye for now.
• 7:59
  Cortney: Bye bye.