Heat and chickens - how to manage? - Page 5

Yes, just bought six 3 Packs of Save A Chick Electrolyte & Vitamin Mix. today while I was in town.

So does anyone know if the panting is really a sign of distress or if it's just like a dog's panting (just getting rid of excess heat). 

 Panting I see in two contexts.  First is when birds are hot.  Second is when birds pushed into sustained activity such as a long flight or fighting.  It might enable better airflow but is also associated with lots of heat generation, especially from flight muscles.  When I or predator push a bird into long flight (> 300 feet) the birds pant for several minutes after landing.  While this is occuring the feet also feel very warm.

 

It is a response to the stressor of above optimal body temperature.

It is like a dog's pant, but it definitely means they need some help cooling off.

 

I just discovered a new way to help my birds in the heat. The tarp I had over part of the run had been shredded by the squirrels over the winter and I have used an old king sized bed sheet folded in half and some clothes pins to replace it until I buy another tarp. Today when  I went to hook up my mist system to the hose it broke right at the hose connection spot. It is 105 right now and I knew I needed to cool my adults off. They are in a section of the run where the sheet is. So I first misted them with a spray nozzle, but then I decided to spray the coop and trees above the run too. In the process I wet the sheet. It is now dripping into the run like the ending of a nice spring shower. So, if you can't get a mister and you have a run covered with wire, a bed sheet and the hose will work until you can do something else.

 

Another idea for those using fans is to place some of the frozen bottles right behind the fan so that it is drawing cooler air through.

So should we give eltrolytes or not during this heat wave?

 It is my opinion that use of electrolytes should be reserved for birds that are having intestinal problems causing production of runny feces.  Just keep ample clean water available.

Ok, how about feeding only in the morning and evening and pulling the feed out during the heat of the day, or should I continue feeding as I normally do?

If feed is offered free-choice they will eat mostly during cool parts of day.  Problems can arise with hungry birds feeding heavily when it is hot like when food was not available in early AM.

All feed stores are sold out of sav-a-chick. So brought some unflavored pedialyte and adding 1/4 of a cup to a gallon of water plus have fresh water available. Does that mix sound right or should I add more pedialyte.

YES! If they are panting.  Panting causes a change in their electrolyte balance and needs to be restored.  Placing electrolytes in the water will cause them to drink more which is what you want anyway.  Check out the article on BYU about tending your flock in the heat.