Dehydrated?

So around noon or 1 (I admit I woke up at noon..) I gave my chickens some strawberries, blueberries, and kale. Well I came out just now (4) to help with building the coop and notice a couple are panting (beaks open) and this morning they sounded kinda rasp/hoarse with their calls and now too. So I got a deep, open waterer and they guzzled water. We use a nipple waterer which they normally use without issue but I'm not sure they've drunken all day or if they have not much? The loved the open waterer. But also, the wind just blew part of an emptyshavings bag, paper, against the fence and they FREAKED OUT, all flying and panicked, was worried they'd get hurt, and I think it actually had blown a few times today. Got rid of it finally. So I'm wondering if maybe they are panicked rather than hot? One has her beak way open while others just have it just a bit. Today is in the 70s and HOT. Its mostly been 50s and 60s lately. Anyways, I guess my question is will they be okay with the open waterer? They are all acting normal otherwise. I just worry they won't recover? We did get 7 eggs today though. And I'm srupid and assumed they would use the nipples. Maybe I should have brought the water out sooner. Also should I add a little Sav A Chick or Nutri Drench or will they be okay or too late? I just worry. TIA.

Wait sorry, accidentally put this here. I figured it went with feeding and watering but maybe it should have been emergencies? Don't suppose it's possible to move it? Oh well, hope I get some answers

If they are adults they should be ok with an open waterer. Did you check your nipple waterer to see if something was clogging it - did the water flow free when you check the nipples. Nutri-Drench is good if you have it, IMO it will help with stress and dehydration.

Wyorp Rock said:

If they are adults they should be ok with an open waterer. Did you check your nipple waterer to see if something was clogging it - did the water flow free when you check the nipples. Nutri-Drench is good if you have it, IMO it will help with stress and dehydration.

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Thanks! And yeah, I'm kind of obsessive about checking it actually I check it every time I go in the run and it always works fine, except twice when it was frozen. And didn't look inside but it flowed. Occasionally there will be shavings or dirt in the cup so I tap it and the water rinses it out. I do have Nutri Drench but I wasn't sure if I should give it or not? Wasn't sure if it was only for sick birds or what. But I did decided to give them Sav A Chick even though it had cooled down and today I am going to give them some more.

They seemed okay this morning but it made me nervous

It was 82 here today and little humid ! Crazy warm, and one of my hens was hot, hot , hot. Beak open,wings up,slow and not happy - uuuuuf sooo hot !
I put water for them everywhere in my backyard, so they can drink it all the time without going inside.
Later on it cooled down and she was back to normal, active and happy again.

Ardj said:

It was 82 here today and little humid ! Crazy warm, and one of my hens was hot, hot , hot. Beak open,wings up,slow and not happy -  uuuuuf sooo hot !
I put water for them everywhere in my backyard, so they can drink it all the time without going inside.
Later on it cooled down and she was back to normal, active and happy again. 

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Maybe they just get hot and miserable like everybody else but not necessarily a sign of stress? Would they be laying down if in distress?

They could, my hen was standing up today and she looked like she was falling asleep and her tail was down. Last summer the other one was laying down, head down, tail down but nooo, she won't go inside to drink some water, to lazy So that is why I have water all over my backyard. They lay down on the cool ground, that helps them cool out.
Beware everybody - the summer is coming ....

Has anyone ever tried using a wading pool for the chickens when it's hot? I read something about using the cheap aluminum lasagna pans you buy at Walmart or the likes, and fill it with cold water. And they actually enjoy standing in it to cool down. Seems kind of funny, but I'll definitely try it with my little feather butts this summer if they seem uncomfortably hot.

DreamsInPink said:

Has anyone ever tried using a wading pool for the chickens when it's hot? I read something about using the cheap aluminum lasagna pans you buy at Walmart or the likes, and fill it with cold water. And they actually enjoy standing in it to cool down. Seems kind of funny, but I'll definitely try it with my little feather butts this summer if they seem uncomfortably hot.

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I've got a heavy metal tray from an old dark room for mine to wade in during the summer. It's a bit more than an inch deep and about 2 feet square.

wamtazlady said:

I've got a heavy metal tray from an old dark room for mine to wade in during the summer.  It's a bit more than an inch deep and about 2 feet square. 

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And they actually like it??