Warning: Backyard Chickens Dying In Brutal Las Vegas Heat

Backyard chickens have been dying due to extreme heat in the Las Vegas Valley, Fox 5 reports.

According to a story by Fox 5, a local woman named Linzy Stahl said three of her chickens and turkeys have died due to the intense heat.

Stahl told Fox 5 that she had to put a swamp cooler to help protect her chickens from the harsh temperature.

In 2018, the city approved an ordinance that allowed residents to keep up to 10 chickens. Since then, the average temperature has increased, and now chicken owners must figure out ways to keep their chickens protected, cool and healthy amid blistering temperatures.

Chickens are not the only animals affected by the record-breaking heat. Dogs have been dying due to heat stroke and inadequate care.

There are ways to help protect livestock -- especially chickens who don't cool down as easily. According to the Pahrump Valley Times, "Chickens are most comfortable at a temperature of around 75 degrees."

This means that when temperatures kiss the 100-degree and up range, chickens are extremely uncomfortable. One of the most basic pieces of advice is to keep the air moving and to keep the chicken's drinking supply cold. It's simply not enough to fill the drinking supply once a day. The water needs to be constantly cooled and refilled so that the drinking supply doesn't become too hot, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports.

Given the extreme level of heat in the desert, we recommend putting some fans or a swamp cooler to help your chickens cool down even more. A poultry online blog says that chickens don't sweat, so they regulate their body temperature by panting and losing heat through unfeathered body parts.

"To help chickens keep cool in a heatwave, you need to help them regulate their temperature effectively so that they don't overheat and die," the poultry blog states.

Ensure that there is heavy-duty shade, and have a constant flow of cooling treats like frozen berries, cold watermelon, rehydrated mealworms, iceberg lettuce, etc. Another important note is to never fully wet your chickens because this will interfere with the chicken's natural cooling process.

"Chickens can be cooled by submerging their underpart (feet, legs, belly) in cool (not icy) water. However, most chickens find submersion stressful, which will make them hotter and more susceptible to heat stress," the poultry blog states.

If you can, misters are effective because they cool the ground and moisten the environment for the chickens.

If you have a heat-stressed chicken then it's important to understand the symptoms. Chickens who have heat stress will show signs of panting, pale combs, pale wattles, diarrhea, a decrease in egg production, less roaming, outstretched wings and erect feathers, according to Grubbly Farms, a chicken feed company.

To treat a chicken with heat stress, Grubbly Farms recommends moving the chicken to an emergency cooling area, treating the chicken with tons of electrolytes and monitoring your chicken overnight.

"Provide some protein-rich snacks like grubs, and fruit like watermelon, cantaloupe, or berries. The protein will provide energy, and the fruits will be quenching with natural sugars and electrolytes," Grubbly Farms states.

Nevada campgrounds are probably one of the best ways to see the beautiful silver state of Nevada. And there are some gorgeous spots that can get you up close to nature, like a hotel room cannot.

For those of us who live in Nevada, we already know the state is so much more than just Las Vegas and Reno. But visitors may not know that.

Throughout the state of Nevada, there is a beauty that is unexpected, until you experience it. The low, dry, hot desert of Las Vegas, and the milder high desert, and four seasons of Reno are spectacular.

Las Vegas' Lake Mead, is a beautiful sight in the hot dry desert. Especially in the summer. It's the one refuge that Las Vegas has to cool off. And in Northern Nevada, you have even more lakes to choose from: The natural wonder of beautiful Lake Tahoe, historic Donner Lake, and mysterious Pyramid Lake.

There are countless amazing places to see, and visit, in Nevada. You can go hiking, or visit state park. But if you really want to see Nevada's natural beauty, and get close to it, how about one of the beautiful campgrounds.

According to Only In your State, the Nevada State Park System runs 27 state parks. Each park offers amazing ways to enjoy the beauty of Nevada. You may not be familiar with all of them - or any of them, for that matter. But being a native of Nevada (yes, there are some of us), I can tell you they are all even more beautiful than you could imagine, because I've been there.

Camping might be the best option you never even considered! Here are some of the best campgrounds in Nevada for your next nature exploration adventure.

Valley of Fire is the largest state park in Nevada. It is about 50 minutes outside of Las Vegas, in Moapa. The natural rock formations are absolutely mesmerizing. And the petrified trees, and ancient petroglyphs are quite a sight. The park charges a day-use fee of $10 per vehicle with Nevada license plates, $15 for non-Nevada license plates. Cost is $20/night for Nevada residents; $25/night for non-residents. There's an additional $10 charge for utility hookups. Water, restrooms and each site has a shaded picnic table and a grill available.

In Northern Nevada, about a half hour from Reno. Boating, horseback riding, and beautiful views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Year round camping with grills, fire pits, picnic tables and a shower in the bathhouse. Very close to Virginia City, and Nevada's Capital of Carson City, as well. There is an entry fee of $5 per vehicle with Nevada, $10 for non-Nevada license plates.  Cost: $15/night for NV residents, $20/night for non-residents. $10 fee for utility hookups.

One of my favorite areas, because it is at Lake Tahoe (Zephyr Cove). I spent a lot of time here growing up. There is nothing more beautiful than Lake Tahoe, to begin with. And camping in the beautiful forested area right at the lake is amazing! At almost a 7000 foot elevation, it's some of the freshest air imaginable. Tent and RV camping are available, and some even have views of the lake. However, the lake is literally a minute long walk away. The cost is about $40 to $45/night.

Beaver Dam State Park is in Caliente, Nevada. It is about 2 hours from Las Vegas. It is very peaceful, and at the Nevada Utah border. Streams, waterfalls, and lots of forest. Drinking water is only available from April through November, but you can camp at Beaver Dam year round. There is a day use fee of $5 per vehicle with NV plates and $10 for non-NV license plates. Cost is $15/night NV residents; $20/night for non-residents.

Pyramid Lake is about 40 miles outside of Reno. It is a very beautiful, and mysterious lakes in Nevada. You'll see some of the strangest, and oddly beautiful rock formations, and reel in some very different fish. The Cui-ui trout - which is only found at Pyramid Lake. Lahontan cutthroat trout, and other varieties of trout. There are several campgrounds, and also Crosby's Lodge - a budget friendly hotel. If you're doing old fashioned tent camping, it's $30/night. RV sites are $40.