We recently ventured forth for a weekend trip to see family in the next state over. It was our first overnight trip since the whole pandemic exploded (and my heart goes out to those still locked down). We've had our shots, the dogs were boarded, which was not a happy time for Missy, but she survived and ate, but wouldn't leave her room. Griffin was excited, so he probably kept her from complete melt down, as they bunked together. The cats had food and water, but told us what they thought about being locked down for two days when we got back. They are not big fans of it either.

Hot chickens roosting at night

I set the chickens up with a full feeder and all five watering stations filled, with one foot bath set up to flush with a hose every night (it wasn't very efficient but it made me feel better). I was unable to rig the doors to open and shut to cool the coop before bed, but luckily the weather was relatively mild for a Texas summer, it was "only" 90 degrees in their coop at night. I could see on the camera that their necks were stretched out more than usual, and their wings held away from their bodies to dissipate the heat held by their feathers.

Egg by the entrance

When we returned home the chickens were fine, but there were seven eggs in the nest boxes, and one left by the pop door. Amazingly, none of the hens went broody, even with a clutch of eggs beckoning. (I did open all the nest box curtains, which they don't care for.)