How to Raise Laying Chickens in the Desert

Raising your own laying chickens means having farm-fresh eggs every day. Chickens can live almost anywhere, but some environments pose more of a challenge for them than others. A particularly difficult region for chicken raising is in the desert. The hot and arid climate can cause dehydration and even heat stroke in many breeds of chickens. The key to raising chickens in the desert is keeping them cool and hydrated, and this can be done with a few simple additions to their pen.

Things You'll Need

  • Open-sided coop
  • Extra water dishes
  • Misting fan
  • Gallon jugs
  • Plastic garbage can
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Instructions

    • 1

      Install an open-sided coop. They can be purchased as kits online, and the general rule is that a coop needs two square feet per chicken. If you already have a coop in your yard, it can be made open sided by removing one of the walls and nailing chicken wire in its place. This provides needed shade, while still allowing for ventilation.

    • 2

      Place two or three extra water dishes around the pen for the chickens to stand in. Extra water dishes, cake-baking pans, or anything that can hold about two inches of water will work. On especially hot days, add a few ice cubes. The water cools the chickens' feet, which in turn helps to cool their bodies.

    • 3

      Install a misting fan and turn it on for a few hours each day in the coop. A misting fan sprays a gentle mist of cool water, and is a great way to keep chickens from getting dehydrated and overheating. Misting fans can be purchased for between $50 and $100 online or at an outdoor-goods store. If you leave it on too long, however, the coop will get overly damp and even muddy.

    • 4

      Fill gallon jugs with water and freeze them. Place them in the coop and in the pen so the birds can lie near them to cool off. Lay the plastic garbage can on its side and place a frozen jug in their to create a cool, dark haven for your birds.