It ’s no enigma that raise backyard chickens is develop in popularity as more and more people hanker to connect with their food for thought source and their surroundings . I ’m not immune to the siren song that sweet eggs and delicious menage - raised nub cater , but as a 25 - class desert habitant , I ’ve come to recognise that urban farming in an arid , desert clime comes with its own set of alone challenges and considerations , specially when it comes towater conservation . With the southwestern United States enduringsevere drouth , get by with water restriction has become part of routine lifetime for resident from California to Texas . The modern urban farmer is not nontaxable from the need to conserve our most precious resource while render comfy and intelligent accommodation for our square friend .
I survive in Las Vegas , one of thesunniest citiesin the United States , tie only with Phoenix . Our summertime , which typically last from May through October , are brutally hot and dry with temperature ranging upwards of 100 degree F. It ’s a challenge for human beings to stay coolheaded in the summer , not to mention the chickens ! I have get along up with eight strategy that will facilitate you raise happy , healthy birds and allow you to lay aside wanted H2O at the same time by exploit with — not against — the environs we have !
1. The Right Bird For The Climate
Choose a breed of chicken that is naturally accommodate to hotter clime . Consider the colouring of the doll — a dark - colored doll will absorb more oestrus and may overheat more promptly during the blistering summer months . pocket-sized embodied , unaccented - colored birds with with child combs and lappet will be better suited for hot temperatures . The Gallus gallus ’s comb and wattle act as a radiator , circularize heat and allow it to more easily regulate its temperature . Some heat - hardy breeds include the Easter Egger , White Leghorn and little bantam strain like the Buff Silkie .
Naked Neck chickens are especially well suited for a affectionate climate due to their exposed necks and sparse feathers .
2. Consider The Sun
We ’re not lacking in sunshine and heat in the desert , and because chickens are more probable to endure from the issue of heating system and sun rather than cold , it ’s significant to consider protection from the Dominicus . Before you build your chicken habitat , pass some sentence evaluating your prop and paying stuffy attention to where the sun hit during all fourth dimension of the day . If you ’re favourable enough to have a property with matured tree , their shade will be a swell avail ; however , mature shade tree diagram are not distinctive in the landscape painting of the desert Southwest , so you may need to improvise and work with the environs that you have .
Ideally , position your coop on the eastern side of your prop , as the morning sun will be cool for the birds . If possible , fend off placing the coop on the western side of your dimension , as the hot , setting sun will make fun them . Be particularly mindful that the nesting box are not facing the hottest side of the yard . Placing the coop in the phantom of your home will also cater much requisite sun protection .
3. Paint Your Coop
If you find , most homes in the desert Southwest have a similar colour — wraith of beige , peach and pinkish . There is a good reason for that : easy colors think over the sun and help keep our homes cooler during the summertime . Take a clew from the design of desert computer architecture and consider painting your coop a light color , as well .
4. Use Physical Shade Structures
Add zones of shelter and sun security within the run to give your birds a place to remain when they get hot . A reclaimed palette or sheet of plyboard run against a rampart provides a nerveless , shady spot for the birdie to footle under when they need a prison-breaking from the sun .
5. Add Cooling Elements
Once your henhouse is build in the best possible smudge and you ’ve given them some physical shade body structure , it ’s time to reckon about adding some cooling ingredient . becloud system use around a one-half gallon of water system per emitter per hour . While Mr are great for humankind , they are n’t always the best for your chicken , whose respiratory systems sometimes ca n’t care that much humidness . Fortunately , it ’s not often that we run into issues with too much humidity in the desert . Place the misters in a location where the chickens can avoid being directly spray by the mist . In plus , use a timer and only utilize the Mr intermittently during the hottest part of the twenty-four hours . see to it your local jurisdictions foradditional restrictionson using Mr during the summertime .
6. Ventilate The Coop
The volaille coop call for plenty of ventilation , but also be careful of draught . make up careful attention to the weather patterns and microclimates in your yard . If you point out that the wind blows in a sealed direction — in Las Vegas , the wind often blows from the northwest — place the cage in such a agency that the malarky does not blow into the chicken coop . Choose or build up a coop with plenty of window and vents placed near the top of the coop to allow rising blistering air to escape .
7. Use A Water Fountain
8. Provide Extra Hydration
Urban farming in the desert is a challenge , but using these strategies to work with the environs and not in opposition to it will ensure that your bird have the best chance of thriving in our arid climate and will help save our valued resources for next generation .
Tracey Hagen
Tracey Hagen
Tracey Hagen
Tracey Hagen
